Need a 1 year old birthday recommendation please

[martini]

I have a first birthday party to attend this weekend. My friend and I grew up together but don't see each other much any more outside of big events. He sent me an invite to his son's first birthday party and I'd like to attend but feel a little clueless about what to get for a gift. I'd like to stay away from clothes because I don't know sizes/preferences. I was thinking I'd head to Target after work.  I want to stay around $15 if possible... I just want to go in with an idea of what would be good. Books maybe?  Any favorites? Either way I'll get a gift receipt since I have no idea what he already has.  Thanks!

[mbcdefg]

I'm following this thread ... our friends' kid is turning 1 soon, and the mom just said "clothes" when I asked what I should buy. She suggested an 18-month outfit. I may pair it with a book or something small. Maybe even beer for the parents, lol. 

[DarcyLongfellow]

Books are good -- I would have been thrilled with a few new board books as a first birthday present. Just get 2 or 3 that look good to you or that you remember liking as a kid. Or, if you want, just wander down the toddler aisles and see what strikes you. It's hard to go wrong with presents for a first birthday because they're too young to voice an opinion yet :-)

If you wanted more specific toy ideas, simple puzzles are good, shape sorters are fun for that age, wooden blocks, anything Elmo (even if he doesn't watch TV yet).

[tine]

Board books are perfect! Little Blue Truck, llama llama or anything by Sandra Boynton. DS never has enough. Honestly, clothes are also great because they grow out of them quickly. DS got a lot of cars and trucks for his first bday too and loved all of them.

[pbandj]

FP little people is great for that age. www.amazon.com/Little-People-Tractor-Trailer-Playset/dp/B00C58ZT3S/ref=sr_1_16?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1425493811&sr=1-16&keywords=little+people

We also have this that my kids played with www.amazon.com/Mega-Bloks-Lil-School-Bus/dp/B001RTSA14/ref=pd_sim_t_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=06K2BJ9QBYZSZ6RPDE8K

Books are always great too.

[simpsongal]

Carters is great for clothes. If you go 18 month make sure they're spring/summer appropriate (no sweaters).

I like the book idea too. "Dragons Love Tacos" is a big hit on MMM. Frankly, we have too many toys.

[illgetthere]

I went kind of lame and got my nephew some Tommie tippee plates, bowls, and forks.

[Ashley&Scott]

Books are good, for a 1yo I would get board books:
Little Blue Truck
Little Blue Truck Leads the Way
Brown Bear Brown Bear
Sheep in a Jeep
Good Night, Gorilla

Toy ideas: (should be available at Target)
Little People School Bus $20
Parum Pum Pum Drum $22
B. Wheelie cars $16
Hape Rainbow Xylophone $13

[jinkies]

Both my kids LOVED Sheep in Jeep.

I don't think you can go wrong with books.

Summer/outdoor toys are also good, although here on the east coast it feels like summer will never come: my kids loved a battery operated bubble blower the summer they were 1.

[MixedBerryJam]

OMG I haven't thought about Sheep in a Jeep in years. God I loved that book.

... Sheep weep ...

SPOILER: Click to show

...Jeep for sale, cheap.

Wide Mouth Frog is my all-time favorite though. It was a go-to baby shower present when I was going to baby showers. Now that friends are having grandkids I think I'll start the tradition up again. My son's first word was "read" and he was referring to that book

[bugandbibs]

My 12 month son is really into FS little people, mega blocks, and cars/trucks he can push along while he crawls. Oh, bath toys are always good too.

For board books:
"That's not my.".. series
"How do Dinosaurs"... Series

[Deleted]

Sheep on a ship is also pretty amazing. And anything with pop ups.

[VillainV]

Parum Pum Pum drum from Target (about $22). I know, what kind of stupid person gets a toddler a DRUM??? It has a maraca, shaker, tambourine, and drum sticks inside. The sounds aren't loud at all (I mean, it's all plastic, so it's not going to be very loud), and kids LOVE them. And all the pieces fit inside.

Whatever you get, include a gift receipt just in case they get multiples or have one already.

[regencygirl]

Mar 4, 2015 20:09:45 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Parum Pum Pum drum from Target (about $22). I know, what kind of stupid person gets a toddler a DRUM??? It has a maraca, shaker, tambourine, and drum sticks inside. The sounds aren't loud at all (I mean, it's all plastic, so it's not going to be very loud), and kids LOVE them. And all the pieces fit inside.

Whatever you get, include a gift receipt just in case they get multiples or have one already.

I'll second this. My 15 month old got this for Christmas and LOVES it. We hid the drum sticks because he was using them as weapons, but the other instruments are so cute and he loves to play with them. 

[soso]

If they are having a party the kid may not need more stuff... Other than books but even so, those stack up. What about a $15 bottle of sparking wine... Or any wine with a nice card about the milestone?

[magdala]

My daughter is 9 months and adores bubbles right now.

[pattieice]

I like to go to TJMaxx or Marshall type stores because they usually have a good selection of Melissa & Doug toys. My kids received a lot of these toys as hand me downs from their cousins and they have held up well through 4 boys.

These type of stores also have good board books. My boys LOVED a series of books called First 100. They read First 100 Words, First 100 Animals and we went through 2 copies of First 100 Machines.

[livinitup]

A card with a $20 bill. He'll be thrilled.

[JayhawkGirl]

My go to gift for 1 year olds is anything fisher price Little People - the little people bus, plane, tractor... They are always a hit.

[martini]

Thanks everyone. I ended up getting some little people and a book. I got a gift receipt just in case they want to return it.