present for my 1yo

[Hoody]

This probably sounds really ridiculous considering i am her mother but i am at a complete loss at what to get my DD2 for her birthday. She will be turning 1 in 2wks time. As my DD1 is only 20months older we have way too many toys, clothes in abundance etc etc. In other words there is nothing she needs and i dont want to just spend for the sake of it. Has anyone ever just put the money into there dd or ds's bank acc instead of buying presents or is this a "cop out" as my IL's have told me. Its not like she understands the concept of presents yet and we are having a party so we will be celebrating the day etc i just dont have any idea what to get for her and TBH dont have the $$ to waste on cr@p we dont need iykwim. With both sets of grand parents, 6 sets of Aunts/uncles and friends etc i know she is going to get spoilt.

So what do you BB girls think- money into bank acc or can you give me a gift idea

TIA Hoody

[tali]

Dont listen to your MIL put money into her account if thats what you no do she want remember her b'day anyway... I know how hard it is to buy for two girls and I have a 3 yr gap with my DD's but still find in very hard to get things for DD2 as DD1 has it all....

You could always get her a nice little blue bird braclet (sp?) as this is something she would have when she gets older as I thing to remember her 1st birthday...

Or a nice orderment ( sp?) as there are some nice ones around but they can be a bit of a dust collector...

Good luck in finding something nice...

[saslia]

We bought DD a nice mink blanket with tweety bird on it and she is now 7 1/2 and still uses it.

[*Ang*]

I know what you mean about so many family members buying them presents! If you want to put money in a bank account go ahead. But if not here are some alternative ideas anyway:

- one of those kiddie, fold out couches
- a big comfy themed pillow and blanky set like the wiggles, my little pony etc
- lamp for her bedroom (if she doesnt already have one)
- dress-ups for when she is a bit older, can never have too many fairy dresses/princess dresses especially if you have 2 girls!
- what about a nice family portrait taken instead?

HTH.

[feeb]

what about a charm bracelet and every year u buy her another charm, i say this as i have one that my aunt gave me for my chrisining and she bought me a new charm every year for about 12 years.

[nic]

We got one of the fold out couches with the sleeping bag attached for DD's 1st birthday.

I think banking some money is a great idea!
Is there any outside toys/games you could get? A few years ago we told our parents to contribute money to one big present for DD's birthday. We got her a trampoline, with the pads that cover the springs stitched to the mat, so there was no way hands or feet could slip under the padding to springs.

A little blow up pool (if you don't have a big one that is)

What about one of those big plastic clam shells where you can put sand or water into it?

Nic

[aussienic]

I am going to sub to this thread

I am in the same boat.. I have no idea what to get Olivia either.

[prettybutterfly]

Don't worry about the IL's, seriously at one if your DD already has everything she needs then what's a new toy ? Money in her account will be a lot more useful. Alternatively you could shut your IL's up and name a star after her?

[Trish]

I am seriously thinking of getting Abbey a Pandora bracelet, either for her first birthday in a months time or for Christmas. Then each year I can add to it. Oh, I will be getting one for Tehya too if I do that.

So yeah, I would say go with some jewellery, a nice little pair of earrings if her ears are pierced, necklace, braclet. It's easy like that with little girls.

[Hoody]

please keep the idea's coming its gicing me food for thought

Pandora bracelet- Got one for her baptism
Fold out couch- My sis already has her one
Outside- We already have sandpit, swingset and a tramp for Xmas and too many ride on toys to count and a cubby house.
She got so much jewellry for her Baptism that i dont even think i should go there.
We had a family portrait done 2wks ago too.

My DH is greek and his family love to give gold so my girls have more of it than i do. My Mum has her a comforter, pillow and nice sheet/quilt set for when she goes into a big bed. My other sis has her bathers and is contributing towards swimming lessen. I think my MIL has her a couple of nice books and an outfit. I tell ya who would have thought buying a pressie for your own DD would be so hard.

As i said keep the idea's coming as i am loving reading them and they are all great

[nic]

What about one of those books where you get the kids names put into the storyline? You could have DD and her big sister going on some adventure?

eta: I just googled for some and there is picture book version of these now, where they put your childs photo throughout the book. The site I found is called picture me books

Nic

[*Ang*]

You said your sister got her some bathers, what about a matching beach towel or poncho? Plus a nice sun-hat and sun glasses?

You can also get the musical cd's with their name in the songs - we got given one for Alexander and it is quite cute altho it does sound American.

[smiles4u]

I got my daughter for her 1st birthday a yellow gold baby ID Bracelet (her name engraved on it) ... the chain on the bracelet is not thin like most and has an extendable chain so she can wear as an adult

I got it on special for $120 at Thomas Jewellers in Bourke St Mall Melb in May 2007.

I wanted to give her an heirloom ... as i had one as a baby but my Mother lost it

Also i gave her a beautiful porcelain doll ... funny enough my sister & a friend also gave her one for her 1st birthday (though all different) ... that could be another option for you ... something your daughter can always keep

[Marydean]

I would be buying her a really nice/special book, and then make the time to read it together. Alternatively you could buy one special piece for her bedroom, eg when my DD turned two I bought her a handmade wooden teddy-bear shaped chair, that she sat on and used for years. We still have it and very occasionally she tries to squeeze her butt into it (PMSL she's 10 yo and getting hips now). Things like her own special chair, or a little treasure box, or a cuddle cushion, or a handmade quilt (lots on ebay ).

BTW you feeling of overwhelmed-ness with DD1's toys and 'things' could be helped if you do a huge cull. Just because ppl gave them to you doesn't mean you have to keep them. You could sell on ebay and bank into an education savings account, or even give away to those less fortunate. The feeling of freedom after this sort of clear out is amazing, you will find your kids play more with the toys they have when they're not swamped by too much, kwim?

[Starfish]

How about a piece of art, e.g. a painting for her room? One of my friends painted two pictures for my DD's first birthday, which I thought was really lovely.

Alternatively, I think a nice book is a good idea.