1st birthday gift, second kid

[noodleoo]

DD2 turned 1 yesterday!  I can't believe she's a year already.  We are having a small family party this weekend and people keep asking what to get her for a gift.  I am at a total loss.  She has an older sister, so we are good on toys and clothes.  I can't even think of a present from us for her since we pretty much have everything.  But I'm feeling the mom guilt and feel like we should get her *something*.  Plus it would be nice to give some recommendations to family or we'll end up with more clothes.  Any ideas?  What did you get for your 2+ babies?  

[mpc]

We just got a play kitchen for my 3rd child's 1st birthday. We've never had one before and I imagine all the kids will play with it. When people asked what to get I told them food/accessories for the kitchen.

So you probably don't need a kitchen but is there something along those lines that you hadn't bought for the older kid?

[Covergirl82]

Does she have her "own" baby doll? I love the Baby Stella dolls because they are perfect for young toddlers and completely washable. (And my DD (age 8.5) still has her Baby Stella and sleeps with it every night.)

I was the younger of 2 girls (we are 2 years apart), and I remember as a young kid that I really just wanted my "own" of something...toys, clothes, etc...something that wasn't shared or a hand-me-down.

[greenmonkey1]

We did a water table for DS3's first birthday. He loves it and I wonder why we never got one for the older two. Play food is a huge win in our house, so I've added pieces to the kitchen like mpc mentioned. And some of our stuff could use to be replaced - only so many times one of the kids can "pretend" to eat the play hot dog before it is flat.

I always try to get family to contribute to the kids' 529. Or money to a membership. We have some great museums in the area with really exciting/well thought out kids sections.

DS3 has gotten hand me down toys for his birthday/Christmas from the attic (he's 2) and is none the wiser. DS1 and DS3 don't really notice because they don't necessarily remember their toys from that age or they mention "I had one just like that!".

[brooke77]

I only have one kid, but we do no gifts for birthdays/holidays. Don’t feel bad letting your family and friends know that DD has everything she needs and they should just attend the party!

If family want, they can give $$ towards a zoo/aquarium membership or towards her 529.

[mccallister84]

We got her the step 2 roller coaster which was basically a gift for both girls. She got baby dolls, which she loves, and books from other family and friends. But honestly I don’t stress too much about this stuff - I mean DD1 got stuff like the kitchen, etc because she was here first and we had nothing for her - not because we love her more. And it’s not like we say the kitchen is DD1’s - it’s a common toy. I will stress more about this as they get older and notice and care about differences.

[expectantsteelerfan]

We got dd the few 'big' things we never got ds. On her 1st, she got a cozy coupe. 2nd she got a play house.

[ny96]

Oct 8, 2019 13:31:23 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

We got dd the few 'big' things we never got ds. On her 1st, she got a cozy coupe. 2nd she got a play house.

Same. DS2 got a wheely bug for his first birthday and a Cozy Coupe for Christmas.

[boiler717]

Can you ask for experiences? I love it when friends and family get my son tickets to something, take him to ice cream, etc. I know she’s still a little young but even just spending time at a park would be nice!

[Poppy]

She needed a blanket for daycare so I got her one with her name embroidered on.

Also, we have needed extra kids' utensils, water cups, plates, etc. Extra winter hats, mittens, etc are useful.

Magformers, play doh (maybe save for a few months from now), walker and/or ride on toy if you don't have one. Do your bath toys need a refresh?

If all else fails, books.

[nicolewi]

I love checks for the college fund for a first birthday! One is weird, b/c at one they aren't playing with much, really, but before 2, they will like toys a lot.

the expensive Haba blocks are really cool.
Shoes??
Ditto the others on baby ride-on type toys or water table
Sand toys??
Musical instruments for toddlers/music player toys they can carry around
Melissa & Doug baby puzzles
Activity/learning table toy
Something for the room--piggy bank, nightlight, framed picture

[cheeseandcrackers]

happy birthday, second kid! ha. mine is turning one soon too.
can they all go in on a new stroller? that's what mine needs

[farmvillelover]

I wish it weren't so taboo to let people know a desirable gift for subsequent kids is money.

I'd maybe get a booklist together of books that your daughters would both like and communicate that to people.

[shauni27]

money for savings. 100% almost exclusively what we ask for these days when people ask. We do NOT need more STUFF.

[noodleoo]

Thanks for all the ideas! I think I'm going to wrap up a ride on toy from the attic for her from us. I unfortunately already bought a new stroller, clothes, feeding stuff etc. I think I'll ask family for books (50:50 chance they comply). Shoes are a good idea too, new ones would be good.

I wish our family would give money or experience gifts, but they don't do that so I will most likely end up with more toys or clothes that we don't need.