Hi Moms...my 3rd child turns 1 the end of this week, and I can't think of anything fun to get him! Being our 3rd, (and 2nd boy) we have so much...does anyone have any good ideas?
You didn't say where you live so I don't know if these ideas are right for you but how about instead of an actual gift a day out with just you. You can take him to the aquarium or Children's museum. If you want to do more. The aquarium has some great classes to take with kids as small as 1year. They only run 4 weeks so no long time commitment and my daughter is having fun in her class.
Good luck,
L.
Give him a fun time with his family and capture some memories by taking photos. Do something he enjoys (i.e. going for a walk, an evening at the playground, make his favorte for dinner). As parents, we give our children so many things that we often forget to make memories and capture moments they may never rememeber (because they were too young) or moments they need to remember. Oh, the lost art of photo albums.... Give your baby some memories.
For our daughter's 1st we did the typical 1st cake and family/friend party. Her favorite items were the balloons. For gifts, I choose a charity and had people donate to them for her - no gifts for us and the funds went to a good cause. She still had a blast!
Mr. Potato Head?
Blocks?
Play animals
Play food, plates?
I am the owner at S. G. in East Bridgewater. Although we advertise for children 3 to 12, we have had several one year old parties and the feedback was great. Check out my website and the video if you don't live too far. WWW.stardustgym.com.
Just so a sweet home made party and get him a toy that is his own, he is only 1 and not that invested at this age. But do try and rememebr (being the 3rd child myself) to not forget to celebrate and get a few new things of hiw own when he is older. Handmedowns, always having to share your day and being forgotten is no fun
I also have 3 and the best thing we did was to drop the older 2 off at my mom's for the morning and spent the whole morning just doting and loving her all by herself. We took her to the playground, swimming, etc. Then we picked up the older 2, put the baby in for a nap, and when she woke up we celebrated everybody together - my husband made her her favorite dinner, we gave her a cake to mess up, and more that I just can't remember. We also went to the zoo at some point in there...I think with my mom and my son in tow.
I didn't do birthday parites until my kids were 3. Before then, they didn't even know.
L.,
Wrap up something he hasn't seen and give it to him. He'll be happy with it. Hey, when parents and others are conscious of what a child REALLY needs (time together, love, touch, books, etc.), then presents would become less important to them.
One simple way to help a child appreciate what he gets is to reduce what he has already. Too much stuff all around just adds to confusion and lack of focus.
The party is really for you and the family, he won't remember, so do whatever you'd like. Maybe let the older brother and sister help plan it so they feel like they are giving him the gift of a fun party
As for gifts - we only have 2 and have the same problem - with all the toys and books and clothes we already have we didin't need more. I would say take him somewhere he enjoys or will enjoy - a zoo, aquarium, a children's discovery museum, park, a toddler calss like gymboree or kindermusic. I wish we could do these things, but everything like this is over an hour from home for us!
Jessie
Since the first birthday party is really for the parents, do what you enjoy doing with your baby. Other than the picture of them diving into the cake, there isn't much for them to look back on when they are older. But do get pictures of who attends. That's fun looking back at the clothes and hair :)
I just have to add that I am thrilled to see so many people willing to cut back on all the excessive stuff that little kids don't understand, don't enjoy, and the parents can't afford! Definitely just make it about being special. Let the older kids help pick something out - although I LOVE the idea of something they help make, like a stool or chair. It's a family activity, and that's what it's all about! Good for you, and all the other moms who agreed that 1 year olds do not get the big party fuss!
My girls are just about 6 years old and for my youngest's 1st b-day her big sister made her a stool. Michaels craft shops have everything you could imagine. Samantha painted it & put different stickers on that we didn't have to worry about being peeled off or anything because we put a coat of shallack on it. It was adorable, Haley had so much fun with it because she could sit on it, put her sippy cup & snack on it w/her legs underneath it. It was really adorable!
