Non-toy/clutter gift for first birthday

[ktw]

My cousin's first child turns 1 on Saturday. They don't have a huge house, and I know they're already feeling the crush of all of the "stuff" after Christmas. Any ideas for something I can send to her son that won't contribute to the overwhelm? Thanks!

[Susie]

I've been buying DS items for the next stage of feeding for his last bday/Christmas.  So, new high chair going from a 5 pt. harness one to a Keekaroo chair that will work through preschool/school age, toddler flatware, EZPZ mats, cups, etc.  

[raangoli]

My go to is always clothing for a season or two ahead. I don't buy for the current size because I assume they already have enough.

[loira]

Clothing or books for the next stage, maybe. Do you know if your friends have set up an RESP (or whatever the US equivalent is) for their kid? You could send money to make a contribution to it. What about a mini photo session with a professional photographer?

I applaud you for being a good cousin and not adding to the clutter. We live in a condo and it's been a herculean effort to get my MIL to stop sending A random shit. Then she started sending us gift cards that we couldn't use because they were for the US version of a store. I honestly don't mind if she sends nothing but if she's determined to spend money on us she should just send the money.

[ssmjlm]

Zoo membership? Lower risk with it being outdoors.

[mccallister84]

Baby bug magazine subscription? They are for birth - 24 months. We now get Ladybug which is the next step up and my girls are very excited when it comes every month.

[sometimesrunner]

Books, zoo membership, or college fund contribution are all safe bets.

[mbcdefg]

Ditto the clothing suggestions for the next size up - or shoes. Maybe even a winter coat.

How about a small gift - like an everyday outfit, pjs, or a book - with a box of diapers?

[sillygoosegirl]

Nothing, or maybe a gift for the parents. Restaurant gift card perhaps? One-year-olds don't need gifts and don't really even understand them.

[konapoppy]

Bottle of wine for the parents

[macmars45]

My twin sister always asks what my DS needs clothes wise for birthdays & Christmases. And she'll add a cute stuffed animal sometimes. It's amazing and so helpful!

Also you can never go wrong with books.

If you were to buy a toy, these blocks are still played with daily by my DS (4y8m) and he requested more for his birthday in April. H and I bought them for his 1st birthday present from us.

www.amazon.com/B-Toys-Building-Toddlers-Educational/dp/B0030F67N6/ref=sr_1_16?crid=159MZ4R4YDQKN&dchild=1&keywords=blocks+for+toddlers+1-3&qid=1609798025&sprefix=blocks+%2Caps%2C413&sr=8-16

[minzy]

A savings bond? My husband always thought they were too lame for a cool uncle gift, but I’m guessing my nephew who’s about to graduate from HS now wishes we had done that every year instead of give him stuff (or money, which was most certainly spent on stuff).

[brooklyn]

Wine for your cousin for surviving the first year, especially during a pandemic

[sandandsea]

Season pass to the zoo
Outdoor toys for summer (inflatable pool/sprinkler)

[Poppy]

Can you just ask?

But maybe clothes/pjs or a sun hat (I felt like I was always behind the 8 ball on hats)? Our friends gave us a stainless steel Contigo straw tumbler that we like a lot.

[mccallister84]

I also wouldn’t buy a membership without consulting with the parents. While I loved our zoo membership for DD1 when she was 6-18 months I wouldn’t do the zoo now.

[chocolatepie]

My favorite gift is a Target giftcard so I can buy diapers/wipes...

I'll be honest... clothes are my 'thing" and I think we've turned around and donated every single clothing piece someone has gifted us as it's all not anything I'd put him in. Maybe I'm alone in that.

Outdoor toys are big here (water table, climber, balls), kitchen helper is SO amazing but if they have a small house they may not appreciate that.

And books are never a wrong answer and fairly easy to store.

[sometimesrunner]

Jan 5, 2021 12:37:03 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

My favorite gift is a Target giftcard so I can buy diapers/wipes...

I'll be honest... clothes are my 'thing" and I think we've turned around and donated every single clothing piece someone has gifted us as it's all not anything I'd put him in. Maybe I'm alone in that.

Outdoor toys are big here (water table, climber, balls), kitchen helper is SO amazing but if they have a small house they may not appreciate that.

And books are never a wrong answer and fairly easy to store.

Me, too. I like maybe 10% of clothing gifts. 

Depending on your budget, I would do wine/some sort of treat for surviving the first year and a college fund contribution. 

[shauni27]

a check for their savings account. I love when I get that for my kiddo.

[isabel]

Definitely a check for savings/college and wine for the parents.