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Original poster

first birthday present - no toys no clothes?!

59 replies

Twodogsandababy · 12/02/2021 09:19

My best friend’s daughter will be one next month and I’m really struggling to come up with a present for her! I asked my friend what she’d like and she said she honestly couldn’t think of anything.

I asked about toys but her little girl isn’t into them and the ones she got for Christmas haven’t been opened. Her favourite thing to do is open and empty bags and cupboards but I’m struggling to find any toys with a similar theme that she would enjoy?

She also has clothes for the next three sizes all purchased and boxed away so she doesn’t need clothes!

They live in a smaller space that’s lacking storage so I don’t want to buy anything huge/bulky that’s going to take up space. My budget is about £30. Has anyone got any ideas? I mentioned looking for emptying/filling toys to my friend who said she’d love that but I’m struggling to find any!

TIA

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BatleyTownswomensGuild · 12/02/2021 10:01

How about a nice buggy toy that clips onto the buggy and thus doesn't need extra storage?

Biggles001 · 12/02/2021 10:02

Things for the bath?. I remember having flutes that fill with water as well as the normal ducks and wind up things

Bibidy · 12/02/2021 10:04

I would get a couple of picture/sensory books.

I wouldn't get any toys as it seems like maybe the mum actually doesn't want any more but doesn't like to directly say so as she knows you want to give a gift. They probably don't have much storage space if they're in a flat.

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Thedramasummer · 12/02/2021 10:06

We got my daughter a personalised wizard of oz book. So instead of being Dorothy it was Jane( not her name) website was getting personal. It was 11 years ago now so don’t know if they still do that sort of thing

Persephonegoddess · 12/02/2021 10:08

A charm or a charm bracelet then you can add a charm each year.

user1471523870 · 12/02/2021 10:09

Mine is just over two and I can tell you what he/we liked from what we have been gifted a year ago:

  • canvas tippee that we put up in his bedroom or in the living room. He loves it as he can hide there or take his toys or books etc
  • a ride-on car
  • a mini trycicle for indoors
  • books, books, books (age appropriate)
  • bath towels. He got a massive one with his name embroidered and we still use it every night as so practical. And one with a hood in a corner, but bigger than the baby ones.
  • his first set of slippers. He absolutely loves them and they make his runs around the house safer as they have a rubber sole. He developed a habit of putting them on in the morning and taking them off at night, replacing them in the same spot of the house. Cute little habit developing.
HelloDulling · 12/02/2021 10:09

Books or bath toys.

IsThisNameTaken · 12/02/2021 10:11

My son used to spend hours posting the letters in a wooden postbox and then emptying them out and re-posting
www.elc.co.uk/wooden-toys/Early-Learning-Centre-Wooden-Post-Box/p/540377

Peta11 · 12/02/2021 10:49

What about a keepsake?
A special coin from the royal mint was a hit , they also do character ones
Special book? Maybe personalised. Not on the high street have lovely ones

StColumbofNavron · 12/02/2021 10:49

I tend to buy books with associated gifts sometimes.

E.g. I might theme it Peter Rabbit and buy a board book, bath book, and buggy book and maybe a cuddly toy. I’ve done it with Dear Zoo before which lends itself to animals, Winnie the Witch and witch related things.

mynameiscalypso · 12/02/2021 10:51

@StColumbofNavron

I tend to buy books with associated gifts sometimes.

E.g. I might theme it Peter Rabbit and buy a board book, bath book, and buggy book and maybe a cuddly toy. I’ve done it with Dear Zoo before which lends itself to animals, Winnie the Witch and witch related things.

Dear Zoo is an absolute favourite here and you can get lots of themed bits - we have a couple of Dear Zoo puzzles as well as the book.
Same4Walls · 12/02/2021 10:52

@strawbmilk

A wall height chart to measure how tall she is at different ages. Could then be a keepsake and maybe be used for her children too
This is what I was coming on to suggest. We have one that rolls up in a tube which can be stored easily and it's lovely as there's no worry about possibly moving house and losing the markings on the wall.
AnnPerkins · 12/02/2021 10:57

I would get a silver initial necklace or charm for when she's older.

Morred · 12/02/2021 11:17

If they like filling and pouring, some bath toys might be good? A set of plastic cups and little jugs would be fun (my 2yo loves doing this in the bath still) and wouldn't take up much space.

EduCated · 12/02/2021 11:21

A little toddler sized backpack that she can fill and empty to her hearts content?

AlwaysLatte · 12/02/2021 11:23

Special books that can become favourites in time? Maybe a set of Winnie the Pooh or Fairytale books?

Brandysnapzzz · 12/02/2021 11:25

Grapat toys are great fun, if pricey. My parents got DS a small box of coins rings and nins for 1st birthday and they are his absolute favourite toys - for spinning, stacking, putting into boxes and tipping out again…and they’re tiny so won’t take up much space!

SnugglySnerd · 12/02/2021 11:29

[quote IsThisNameTaken]My son used to spend hours posting the letters in a wooden postbox and then emptying them out and re-posting
www.elc.co.uk/wooden-toys/Early-Learning-Centre-Wooden-Post-Box/p/540377[/quote]
I was going to suggest this too. At 1 they empty it and refill it. By age 3 they actually quite like playing positive and posting letters to deliver to family members or soft toys!
Or bath toys are always good.
My dcs are older now and love small world type toys. I wish I had started a collection of those lovely but expensive Schliech toys when they were younger and added to them each birthday/xmas.

SnugglySnerd · 12/02/2021 11:30

*postie not positive!

MatildaStoker · 12/02/2021 11:33

We used to have an ELC postbox too, it’s a good toy for emptying and refilling.

Yellow85 · 12/02/2021 11:33

My Ds got a trunki for his first bday and it’s brilliant for playing and for sleepovers. It’s my go to present for all the kids firsts Bday now for me. You could probably get one for £30

BakewellGin1 · 12/02/2021 11:34

The Elc postbox toy was a favourite here...
Has the fill/empty theme
Or the Tales of Acorn Wood books I think there are 4 and often £3 each on amazon or in Asda...
Or a gift voucher for somewhere like a family farm for spring or summer

Maybemay123 · 12/02/2021 11:35

A treasure basket,
Books,
Voucher for a day out,
Voucher for first shoes,
Cutlery set,
Money to put into savings,
Money box,
Book token.

Pinklittle · 12/02/2021 11:38

Voucher for Clark's for some shoes, my little one goes through shoes like you wouldn't believe I would have appreciated a voucher for sure x

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