Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

I am starting to plan from now b/c we are going to have major expenses in October. I know he'll need fall/winter clothes and also toys appropriate to his fall/winter age range (12-18 months...how, lord, how can this be!!! ) but I don't want to "waste" any money buying stuff that he will be receiving a lot of as gifts, kwim?

is money a big gift? or is it mostly toys/clothes?

is it appropriate to tell people what he needs/wants (or rather what we'd like him to have)?

do people register for this stuff???

what did your kids get and what do you normally give?

thanks!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

We are having two parties for DS, one was this past Saturday and he mostly got books and toys. Very few clothing items...and a swingset which I had requested.
ETA: I certainly didn't register for anything, people have asked me if there is anything he needs but he really doesn't need anything. That was why I requested the swingset...he loves swings and I figure we'll get a lot of use out of it over the next few years.

Message edited 7/13/2010 10:03:37 AM.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

V is turning 1 in august and i think im going to create a wish list in toys r us.
My friends and family are already asking me what she wants so i say,
she willl have a wish list at TRU, giftcards to tjmaxx/marshalls/carters (for clothes, bc people without kids are clueless what to buy for what seasons (IM SORRY), or $ for her bank account.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Toys and clothes. People asked me or my mother what they liked, what size they were.

A few people gave money, mostly my younger childless cousins who said they didn't know what to get.

We didn't register, some people do at Toys R Us but I've only seen that with kids 3+.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

I'm in the same boat as you but have already gotten his entire winter wardrobe! (huge find at a garage sale!) AND I just brought home my entire classroom of books - thousands of them, so I don't need another one. LOL

So, I'd rather get only $$$ but I know you can't ASK for that! Maybe I'll do a wish list at TRU too. I don't see the harm in that. I just hope people give $$$ because we didn't have a christening, so I'm hoping people give for his bday.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

When people asked what DS needed I told them clothes and books... anyone who didn't ask got him toys or gift cards to BRU/TRU. He got so many toys that 10 months later there are still some he hasn't opened!!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

I asked for clothes...DS and DD both received TONS of toys (many of which weren't even age-appropriate ). We ended up returning some and keeping others. It was kind of fun pulling out a "new" toy from the garage months later.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Nix the idea of registering -

My side of the family are big into $ gifts -

DH are gift buyers.

I don't like to ask/tell people what he needs unless they specifically ask me for ideas.

I'm admitedly a snob and uber picky about my son't clothes, so I buy him whatever I want to - I don't wait on others to buy him gifts b/c 9x our of 10 they end up being exchanged.

As far as toys go, if there's something I really want him to have, I get it for him - and I almost never return/exchange a toy - he plays with everything.
I have to say, he's the 1st Grandchild and nephew and out of 75 guests, my house really wasn't overrun w/ crap - thankfully !!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

DS got several bonds from family mebers, along with some cash. Other than that, lots of toys--busy ball popper, outdoor toys (he's a June babe, so sand/water table, pool, tree swing, etc), bubble mower, FP zebra thing...And tons of swim suits. I also hid some of the toys since the novelty wears off, and this way the fun will continue for months! Personally I think registering for a 1 year old is kind of silly, since though you know what he has already, it's not like he's picking out his favorite toys...

Message edited 7/13/2010 10:17:49 AM.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

when the child is young enough to not be irritated that his gift wasn't a toy, I usually buy GCs for clothing stores. They really come in handy when Mom needs to go buy the whole next season's wardrobe.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

For her 1st b-day she got some cash, clothes and some toys.

She got more toys for her 2nd b-day. Some which are still in the garage unopened bc she got so many!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

DS got money from most family. He got some clothes and a few bonds from others. Some toys, and some stuff that he DID NOT NEED .

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Toys, money and clothes.

People almost always ask what my kids need and I tell them. This year I told people PJ's for DD because she needed them. My friend got her a pair along with clothes.

I usually buy a gift that is age appropriate and then also money for the difference. For example if I wanted to spend $75 and I found a gift for $30 then I would give $45 in cash. I also got this for my kids

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

negative on the registry but if people ask you can certainly tell them what size he will probably be in the fall/winter.

We just had DD's 1st birthday party on Sunday and she got mostly clothes. Lots of summer clothes of which she already has a ton, but also some fall and winter clothes which I am so happy about because she has nothing.

She got a few great toys and books and some money. I was kind of hoping she would get more toys since I never buy them for her and we dont have too many. and what we do have is pretty baby-ish. The toys we did get were great: BeBop band, bubble mower, My Pal Violet and some megablocks.

Message edited 7/13/2010 10:45:52 AM.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

We had our party at a hall so most gave $$. People asked what to get and I had no clue since we have NO room in our apt. I said "learning" toys/books or clothes. Luckily we didn't have to return much.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

When people asked I told them clothes. DS received clothes and tons of toys. I still have unopened toys in the attic!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

If people ask, then i tell them what I need

My fave things I have asked for and received were:

bookcase
clothes
Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair
Raincoat
Shoes
Umbrella
Money for College
Toy Chest
Bike

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Michael received mainly money and toys for his First Birthday. He received a few outfits, but the majority of gifts were money and toys.

ETA: The same goes for his 2nd birthday party.

Message edited 7/13/2010 11:19:13 AM.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

I think if you have it at a hall/restaurant, you will get $$.

House party expect alot of clothes/toys.


I wouldn't register or tell people what I want, unless they ask.



I'm expecting a lot of clothes in the wrong sizes & duplicates on toys.
Which I why I will never give a child a present without a gift receipt again.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

so basically....I can either wait and see how it pans out of buy stuff and see if I have to make any returns

got it.

as far as a registry, I wasn't saying I was going to do it, I was asking if people did it or if it was expected.

thanks everyone!!!!!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Posted by Ophelia

so basically....I can either wait and see how it pans out of buy stuff and see if I have to make any returns

got it.

as far as a registry, I wasn't saying I was going to do it, I was asking if people did it or if it was expected.

thanks everyone!!!!!

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

Before I had kids I always bought clothes. Now I tend to buy toys. I think for DD's birthday I think we received gifts the same way - people with kids mostly gave toys (sometimes toys and cash) and people without kids gave clothes with only a couple of exceptions.

People without kids generally don't know from toys for small children, but a cute outfit is a cute outfit kwim?

I would buy your DS a few basics to get him through the fall and finish up after his birthday. I probably wouldn't bother buying toys until afterwards.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?

I am thinking of doing a wishlist for JJ also but I have been telling a lot of people CLOTHES! After the summer, JJ has absolultey not one item of clothing for the fall or winter.

Re: Sort of spinoff---what are typical first birthday gifts given by OTHERS?