Dd one year in autumn

[Peanutbutteryday]

My DD turns one in autumn but I want to start thinking about gifts so we can spread the cost over a few months. I was thinking one main present, and a couple of smaller bits.

I’m not going wild. I mention autumn just because we won’t be outside much until next year following her birthday.

Any suggestions on what worked best for you for a one year Old’s main gift? It’s quite overwhelming when I want in the toy shop. I do have some ideas of course.

We got our DS (January birthday) a scuttlebug which was about £30. He enjoyed riding it up and the living room and downstairs hallway, and even just sitting on it and using it as a chair sometimes, until the weather was better to be outside with it. Might be an option if you have the indoor space.

Other things he really enjoyed from other people on his 1st bday that stand out was a toot toot car tower (he'd spend hours pushing cars down it over and over again) and a bag of mega bloks. He still enjoys playing with these toys now at 2.5yo 😊

I'd get her a rain suit, a couple of new books and a truck a bit like this one.

Just by toys appropriate to their development stage as and when and 2nd hand where possible.

They won't know it's their birthday. Sure wrap up a couple of toys for the day but don't stress about big value items because it's their birthday.

Unless you're really struggling financially, and if you are you shouldn't be spending a lot, then I don't see the need to spread out the cost for gifts for a 1 year old. A lot of the great gifts for that age are not at all expensive. Like a pp mentioned, a Scuttlebug or similar is only £25, that and a couple of smaller age appropriate toys would be fine.

I'd have a look at what you're thinking of getting for Christmas whilst you're at it.

Thanks everyone. If I’m honest it is my first DD and I didn’t have much experience of children before so I always worry that she doesn’t have enough toys to stimulate her at home. We go to baby class (free) three times a week, but obviously we do have periods of time at home! I therefore wanted to get something that isn’t going to be used just once or twice. I find it a minefield with toys.

I was only looking to spend maximum £100. I will look at the scuttlebug as a starting place as it sounds like that and a some other smaller toys would easily be under £100.

A play kitchen is lovely for a first birthday pressie and will last you years! My four year old still plays with hers and my just turned one year old loves using it to stand at and banging all her pans on it! Xxx

Definitely have a look at getting some things secondhand. We bought a lot of ELC Happyland through eBay when ours were little and sold them on again later.

She won't know that a scuttle bug comes in a box

I probably would avoid buying anything now; can you just put the money aside? My DS changes so frequently in terms of his interests and I've been burnt before where I've bought something a few months in advance and then they're out of favour by his birthday. That said, DS got duplo for his first birthday and he has played with it a lot over the last few years (he's nearly 4 now)

And look up activities for 12 to 18 months on Pinterest. A lot of things that you can do with them don't require much at all.

@mynameiscalypso that is a good idea about putting money aside in case her interests Change! I do struggle with picturing the next stage too where I’m not experienced with ages/stages.

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto ah yes I’ve had a look at happyland in our local toy store :) I liked the idea that all the different people fit in any happyland product

For my DD's 1st birthday she got these 2 (amongst some other things) but she still loves these both now and she's almost 2:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sensory-Months-Educational-Learning-Carrots/dp/B08GS7YP1Z/ref=ascdff_B08GS7YP1Z/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463098192129&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16529709990235180160&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006858&hvtargid=pla-977388697095&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taf-Toys-Colourful-Educational-Development/dp/B08TKH1TTV/ref=ascdff_B08TKH1TTV/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=512737704923&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10579954983536700897&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006858&hvtargid=pla-1231048894968&psc=1

Trike

With a scuttlebug only get a few months of use out of it, unless ur baby is small/short legs

A Baby Annabel doll was great for my daughters 1st birthday.