First Birthday Gift Guide

I can't believe it's almost been a month since we celebrated Maggie's 1st birthday. It was such a fun day and was so fun to plan. Perhaps, we made a bigger deal of her birthday than we normally would but we will only get to celebrate her first birthday once! Maggie is our third child and as such she is often the benefactor of hand-me-down clothes and toys but for her birthday she received some generous new gifts. Which got me thinking about some of my favorite gifts for a baby's first birthday and my favorite picks for subsequent children's first birthdays. Is there a difference, you ask? I think there is. With your first child you're starting with nothing in the toy department and by your third child (as in my case) they literally only need diapers. Enjoy my TAKE on first birthday gift ideas!

My Fave First Birthday Gifts for your First Child

• Learning Activity Walker (Wood +/or Plastic)

• Activity Table

• Hopping Horse "Rody"

• Push Car

• Ride On Wheelie Bug

• Baby Doll +/or Baby Doll Stroller /Luggy Basket

• Tractor + Trailer

• Personalized Frame

• Personalized Chair

• Stacking Toy

• Walk-A-long Pull Toy

• First Pair of Walker Shoes

My Fave First Birthday Gifts for Subsequent Children

• Children's Museum or Zoo Membership (In Your Area)

• Personalized Plate + Bowl

• Personalized Beach Towel/Personalized Hooded Beach Towel

• Grimm's 12 Piece Nesting Rainbow Puzzle

• Teepee

• Floor Drum

• A New Outfit (Boy/Girl)

• A New Book (Boy/Girl)

• Personalized Photo Board Book

• Monthly Bow Subscription

• Munchkin Inflatable Swan (Fun for the tub or outside)

The gift ideas above truly work well for any child's first birthday but if it's your first child I would prioritize the gifts in the first grouping against those in the second. We try not to go overboard with birthday presents so we try to stick to giving our kids three gifts. Generally, we stick to the rule of thumb of: something to read, something they need and something for fun! This was pretty easy to do with Maggie as her older siblings have all of the classic first birthday gifts. For her birthday she received a set of Little Feminist Board Books, Grimm's 12 piece Nesting Rainbow Puzzle, a Personalized Plate and Bowl and a completely unnecessary but adorable new lovie. I hope these ideas have been helpful and enjoy celebrating!

Gift Ideas for Bebe

There is little in life that I love more than holding a newborn baby...it's pure heaven. Although for me, selecting baby gifts is a close second. I absolutely love to buy gifts but ESPECIALLY baby gifts. I truly love taking the time to collect gift items that are fun, practical, resonate with the recipient and are often personalized. I'm so excited to send this gift off to a family who has been waiting for their baby boy for a long time! 

One of my favorite part of gifting is the "vehicle" in which you put the gift. This particular gift idea is for a newborn baby and my latest obsession is using the kraft paper colored Spritz boxes from Target. However, if the gift is for a shower I often use different gifting vehicles such as an LL Bean tote, a toy or storage basket, a set of suitcases, a backpack or even a bathtub. The options are limitless and oh so much fun!

The majority of the time I try to personalize the gift in some way. For this gift, I got my my kids involved by having them hand paint the wooden letter "O" that will placed on top of top of the box. I will literally come up with any activity to keep my kids busy in the winter! When I can I try to incorporate a theme. For this animal loving family - you'll notice a handful of appropriately themed items.

Read on for my current TAKE on a baby gift. From Left to Right:

• Kraft Paper colored gift box by Spritz - only available for purchase in store at Target
• Wooden Letter "O" - by Handmade Modern at Target
• Dear Zoo - One of our favorite lift-the-flap books!
• Harold and the Purple Crayon - a classic!
• Elephant Rattle and Teether by Manhattan Toy - (linked similar product)
• Bandana Bibs from Aden + Anais - perfect for the drooling babe
• Small Elephant Jellycat - I'm obsessed and rarely give a baby gift without a Jellycat lovie!
• Striped Baby Gap Outfit - one can never go wrong with stripes!
• Animal themed Aden + Anais onesie - (linked similar product)

When possible I try to give something for the baby to wear now and later as evident with the smaller sized onesie and the Baby Gap outfit appropriate for the fall. I always try to include gift receipts as I never know if I'm sending a duplicate and that way it makes it easier on the parents to make a return or exchange. Dependent on how much you want to spend some of my other current favorites are: wooden rattles from Bannor Toys, wooden blocks from Uncle Goose, teethers and pacifier clips from Loulou LOLLIPOP, infant layette from Kissy Kissy and muslin swaddle blankets from Little Unicorn. 

Seriously, I love to buy gifts and hopefully my ideas will be helpful when shopping for someone in your life.