Dd2 is almost one. What do I get her? Birthdays so close to Christmas suck!!

[MadeForThis]

Hi

Dd2 is turning One in a couple of days. Our older dd is 3 so we kept all her toys/clothes. With Christmas just being over I genuinely can't think of a single thing to get her.

I don't want to go mad buying things she doesn't need but it's her first birthday. Eldest dd was spoiled rotten on her first birthday by everyone. I'm feeling horrendously guilty that we aren't making the same fuss.

I would love to get one thing that I can look back on and be happy that that's what she got from us for her first birthday.

For context dd1s first Christmas she was only a couple of months old so we got her a giant teddy bear. Don't want to do the same but hate feeling that we haven't properly recognised the day.

I'm praying I don't feel like this every year.

If anyone has a dc close to Christmas, how do you handle presents? Especially if they have an older sibling who has toys/clothes that might be the obvious choices.

We regularly save for her so putting money into an account is a great idea. But it doesn't feel like we are acknowledging the day.

Thanks for any advice x

How about a photo shoot, like a cake smash? And maybe a casting of her fists or her feet? I wouldn’t feel guilty about not going too mad. She has all she needs. I think some nice pics and a memento

I think she'll appreciate having a post-Christmas birthday as she grows up - boxing day sales mean friends and relatives get more bang for their buck for presents, and they can be sure to not accidentally get something she already got for Christmas (as there's a bit of time separation). The downside to having a Christmas birthday here (Australia) is all her school friends might be away for summer holidays but in the UK it's only a short break so she won't miss out on having a party each year. Plus, her adult relatives will be on leave from work and can come to her parties. It's all good!

My boy is 2 tomorrow, it feels wrong to get him to much so close to Christmas but also wrong to not acknowledge his birthday in the way his siblings would be. With grandparents gifts also he has got,
one toy to unwrap
Helium balloon (he will love this)
Zoo pass for the family (this is Christmas present combined)
Tickets to go and see in the night garden live.
Maybe a pass of experience would be a good idea for you? Also this was his fave Xmas gift.

I second getting an experience type gift, e.g. entrance to a farm park or swimming lessons.
Something for the garden e.g. a swing?

I only got my one year old whose birthday is Christmas Day, one thing. A child size Poang armchair. That might suit your desire to get her something meaningful that lasts a long time. But to be honest I only got her anything for the benefit of her big sister who wouldn't hear of it to not have got her anything.

I bought my son annual membership to the local soft play, books and blocks for his first birthday. For my second child (1) this Xmas I gave some of his old forgotten toys wrapped up and a push along trike with a handle so she can be involved when he goes on a bike ride.

And a ‘special things’ box for both for keepsakes like first haircut.

Same situation here, 2 DD’s and my youngests birthday is 10 days after Christmas. For her first we got her some bits for her room, nice rug and lampshade etc, also an aqua doodle. We’re also trying to get things that can be added to like happyland and trainset.

There must be a toy that dd1 didn't have that you could get dd2?

DD has the following that might make nice 1st birthday presents:

A cart with bricks
A toddler armchair
A skuttlebug

I got both my dd a set of classic children's books for their first birthday - Peter rabbit and Paddington bear.

otherwise, any garden toys you need?

I love the memories box ideas. I have one for dd1 and had been meaning to get one. I've been thinking of getting something personalised like a height chart. The cast of hands and feet fits in great with this.

I just want to make sure that dd2 never feels like she always gets hand me downs or joint Christmas gifts. I know she's totally unaware at this age but I want to start as I mean to go on.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hopefully this will get easier as she gets older and is more vocal about what she wants. Dd1 had no issues with creating a Santa list 😂

We got a zoo pass and one of those push along trikes for our DD’s first birthday. Our second DD has her first birthday in a couple of weeks and like you we’ve kept everything from our eldest so struggling a bit with ideas for her!