Your little bundle is turning one! A lot has changed in 12 months, and while plush toys and playmats used to be favorites, you’re probably in need of a toy refresh. Flip through our favorite gifts for Baby’s first birthday to find the perfect present to commemorate getting through year one.
What will you buy for your baby’s first birthday? Tell us in a Comment.
–Julie Seguss
Congratulations! You’ve done the impossible and survived your baby’s first year. After blowing out the candles and smashing the cake, commemorate this momentous occasion with an awesome DIY art project to adorn your walls made by your one and only little artist.
Did you make a special piece of art to commemorate your child’s first birthday? Share the details with us in the comments!
-Julia Garza
Want to commemorate your new addition with something sweet? Skip the footprints and keepsake boxes and jump on the initial jewelry trend instead. Wear your baby’s first initial proudly with one of these chic and cool necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and charms. Whether you’re into the dainty and understated or bright and bold, we’ve rounded up something for every mama’s style profile. Click through to see them all.
How did you choose to celebrate your new addition? Tell us in the Comments section below.
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady
It’s picture time … say “cheese!” Oh, baby can’t talk yet? And he’s crinkling his forehead, drooling and using the couch pillow as a punching bag? Not to worry — your photos will still look amazing. The secret is putting a milestone sticker on his outfit, so you’ll always remember how old (and adorable) he was. Here are two colorful options.
photo: Lucy Darling
Lucy Darling Monthly & Milestone Stickers
These oversized stickers take up adorable real estate on baby’s belly. When the camera flashes, you’ll be glad you used them. With modern graphics and lots of colors, they announce the stage your little one is at. Get one for every month, or choose based on milestones (“I can stand,” “My first tooth,” and so on). There are even stickers that commemorate holidays with cheeky illustrations (a wee pilgrim and American Indian trumpet “My First Thanksgiving”). Expectant moms can even get in on the game; Lucy Darling has just introduced Belly Bump Stickers that let the whole world know what pregnancy week you are in the midst of.
Available online at lucydarlingshop.com, $15.99-$24.99 for a set of 12.
photo: Sticky Bellies, designed by Aloetree
Sticky Bellies Limited Edition by Aloetree
You’ll capture the perfect picture for your holiday cards and do a lot of good in the process when you purchase these lovelies. The collection, which includes 13 stickers (newborn-12 months), gives back a portion of the proceeds to Chab Dai, an organization that works to end child trafficking. Designs — owls, penguins, pandas, foxes and other critters on natural backgrounds — are gender neutral and completely cute.
Available starting October 10 online at stickybellies.com, $15 for a set of 13.
Do you have adorable photos of your baby wearing a milestone sticker? Shout about them in the Comments!
— Kelly Aiglon
Flush with all the toys and clothes your tot could ever want? Consider throwing a present-free party for your child’s next birthday. You might have tried doing this in the past, but found that folks like getting something to commemorate a wee one’s birthday and have a hard time showing up emptyhanded. So if you feel your guests’ presence is truly the only present your child requires, you may need to suggest some alternatives.
One fun option is a book exchange. Ask invitees to wrap a book without a gift tag and take it to the party. This works with new books, or you can specify that they bring gently-used books. At the end of the festivities, each child selects a wrapped gift to take home. There’s no need for party favors, and everyone has fun getting a chance to give and receive. We love this example (and photo above) from mom blogger Jennie Dixon.
Another idea you’ll enjoy for years to come, is asking guests to bring a letter to the birthday boy or girl in lieu of a present. More than cards, letters will give your friends and family a chance to express their personal thoughts and wishes. You’re bound to get a range of funny and heart-warming sentiments. Save them as they are, or get creative and use them as components for a scrapbook or time capsule.
For an activity-based idea, request that children bring beads to the party instead of a gift. Set up a kid-sized craft table with plastic lacing string, and combine all the beads in a bucket. Everyone’s contribution makes a fun party-time project. Plus, each child heads home with a special friendship necklace or bracelet.
Older kids will understand the importance of having guests donate the money they would have spent on a gift to a charity instead. Take some time to talk to your birthday celebrant about the organization they’d like to support. Some charities that are geared toward the needs of children—such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, or Big Brothers Big Sisters—may really resonate with your little one. Or, if there’s something happening in the news that they keep hearing about (i.e. Haiti), they’ll feel a connection to that. Then you can all feel better about having used their birthday as an opportunity to help others.
—Kristen McClusky
