For the past few months, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the first birthdays of my daughter’s new friends, as well as her own! I had fun buying gifts, mainly because I like choosing something that is reflective of the parent’s personality, or the child’s blossoming personality. My daughter Aria received a few great gifts she loves too. Here is my brief gift buying guide.
For Neighborhood Strolling
Step2 Whisper Ride II
After seeing several parents pushing their tyke around in this, I really wanted to get one for my daughter. We asked my parents to get this for her, and she loves it! We take it on walks around the neighborhood and everyone at Starbucks smiles when we roll in. I chose this model for the cup holder, but be warned, it does not securely hold drinks. I found out the hard way when I tried to fit my grande iced latte in it, and it spilled…on my child. Thankfully, I didn’t try that with a hot drink! Regardless, I still love this push-car. I intentionally chose blue over pink, not as a rebellion against pink, I just really like the color blue.
Other Push Car Styles
Step2 Smile and Ride Buggy
Little Tikes Deluxe 2-in-1 Cozy Roadster
Step2 Easy Steer Sportster
Pink Whisper Ride Buggy
For the Cruiser
Fisher-Price LP Music Parade Ride-On
This gift is perfect for my not-yet walker. It has several buttons to push on the panel and on the front of the vehicle. Although she hasn’t gotten the hang of sitting and walking, she used the back bar and took a few steps! Thankfully, I caught it on video:
Other Ride-On Styles
Little Tikes Deluxe 2-in-1 Cozy Roadster
Ertl John Deere Sit-N-Scoot Tractor
American Plastic Toys Fire Truck Ride-On
VTech – 3-in-1 Learning Zebra Scooter
For the Budding Baker (and/or investor)
LEGO DUPLO Creative Cakes
I’m not much of a baker, but I do enjoy baked goods! Lucky for us, we are friends with Melissa, the owner of Essential Chocolate Desserts. Her daughter’s first birthday party had the best treats, hands down! We gave her little baker-to-be this cake-themed Lego set. Legos are one of my go-to gifts because not only are they great learning toys, but they are an investment.
Other Lego Duplo Items
LEGO DUPLO Creative Play Creative Animals
For a Nostalgic Gift
Fisher-Price Corn Popper
Aria received this gift from her friend Reese, but it’s a head nod to my childhood, which was it’s gift’s intention. I’m know there is a photo of me as a child playing with this very toy, and I can’t wait to dig it up. This is one of those classic gifts, which child and parent alike will enjoy.
Other Nostalgic Gifts
Fisher-Price See ‘n Say The Farmer Says
Fisher-Price Toddlerz Chatter Telephone
The Gift that Grows
Radio Flyer Ride 2 Glide Ride On
My friend and I went in on this gift together for our friend’s daughter. I love giving grow-with-me toys because they are practical and useful. Radio Flyer has so many options in this category, it will definitely be a gift that lasts a long time.
A Rock-Solid Creative Gift Solution
Recently, we attended Aria’s friend Leo’s birthday. I asked my friend Kim (Leo’s mom) what is he into? She responded with a list of funny common items including, “…yes seriously….a bag of rocks (he LOVED the rocks in my Dad’s yard in Arizona last week)! Please small gift only…we have plenty!” I set out to get him a bag of rocks. After searching several retail stores (and not finding large enough decorative rocks), I found exactly what I was looking for at West Los Angeles Building Materials! I found a cute plastic dump truck at Party City down the street. Along with a helium inflated balloon and some tissue paper, I found a cute creative solution for a birthday gift! Did he like the gift? I received this email from Kim: “HANDS DOWN Leo’s favorite thing to play with were the rocks!!! It’s all he wanted to play with…And the dump truck is super! Wow, thank you!!!” Thank God, because I was a little hesitant to give a bunch of rocks. But the kid likes what he likes!
