My godson turns 1 year old in about a month. Can anyone recommend some great
gifts for a first year birthday that are not only useful for the baby, but also
memorable? And where in SB I could find such items. I appreciate it!
COMMENT 286299
|
2012-06-07 06:10 PM |
|
Savings bond.
|
| |
COMMENT 286303
|
2012-06-07 06:15 PM |
|
Meaningful gift for a 1 year old? Dry diaper? Seriously...the only gift that would be memorable would be your time. Spend time with him and make it a tradition.
|
| |
COMMENT 286309
|
2012-06-07 06:48 PM |
|
We just got our 1-year old a wooden activity cube - similar to ones you see in a doctor's waiting room. Our 1yo LOVES it and plays with it all the time and 3yo sibling plays with it too (and they can even share at the same time without fighting over it because there are enough things on it on all sides. We got it at Target but you can get it online or check with Chicken Little. It looks cute (not cheapy plastic). When the 3yo turned 1, we got a wooden drum which has also remained a hit with both and friends. Definitely available at Chicken Little. But don't forget books and chunky puzzles can be quite memorable too.
|
| |
COMMENT 286313
|
2012-06-07 07:15 PM |
|
03 has it. They won't remember. You only get time to be with them for a short while. Help record via photos/video.
|
| |
COMMENT 286320
|
2012-06-07 07:30 PM |
|
Often gifts to an infant are actually meant to impress the parents. My suggestion would be to hold your grandchild for a longer period than usual on their b-day, then give them a cardboard box with "windows" cut in it....they'll love it. Then, treat the mother of that child to something special....say a gift certificates to places such as The Chicken Ranch, Nicky D's Pizza, BevMo, or ???. When the mother is happy, the child is happy. If you have a need to provide something substantial, then the bonds would be the way to go if you can afford it...otherwise, cardboard boxes and hugs will do the trick.
|
| |
TISHERSELF
|
2012-06-07 07:39 PM |
|
I gave my grandson's personal books with their names and city they lived in. Does anyone still make those books? I believe they will be keepsakes for them. They loved to read about themselves.
|
| |
COMMENT 286329
|
2012-06-07 07:44 PM |
|
Shop at Bennett's in the Magnolia Center, they have wonderful educational toys for kids of all ages. Books are always a great gift, but read it with them and give them the gift of imagination.
|
| |
COMMENT 286338
|
2012-06-07 08:14 PM |
|
Peanuts Maternity in La Arcada (right across from Jeanine's) is a nice shop. They have all sorts of interesting and unusual toys for small children, from that age up to around 7 or 8 years old maybe. I've shopped in there a few times for people's kids and the gifts have gone over pretty well.
|
| |
COMMENT 286339P
|
2012-06-07 08:18 PM |
|
One of our all time favorites was a little pop-up tent for indoor play. Lots of happy memories of tea parties with adult legs sticking out. We still have it. It was from IKEA but I am sure others make similar items.
|
| |
COMMENT 286340
|
2012-06-07 08:20 PM |
|
This is your GodSon? There's two ways to go. Spend money on religious artifacts or spend money on educational artifacts. That's essentially your duty as GodParent, no? So, spend on one or both of those broad categories and just for kicks & giggles, get the kid a simple toy they'll enjoy right now.
|
| |
COMMENT 286351P
|
2012-06-07 09:44 PM |
|
Get him several children's board books, story books, and read them to him—"Goodnight Moon" etc. Children love to be read to and they will retain the association of happiness with reading. There are great independent bookstores in town: Chaucers, Tecalotes, Vedanta Temple Bookstore, etc.—
they've all got great children's books.
|
| |
D8VANILLA
|
2012-06-07 09:54 PM |
|
Kids really LOVE giant cardboard boxes.... really.....
|
| |
KIDS
|
2012-06-08 06:10 AM |
|
If your godson lives here.....a family membership to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
|
| |
COMMENT 286383
|
2012-06-08 07:25 AM |
|
You can order a fabric birthday cake hat with a giant candle (1) sitting on top. I've done this for several one year olds and it's a hit for photographs. Google it and you'll be amazed to your choices.
|
| |
COMMENT 286387P
|
2012-06-08 07:33 AM |
|
Not sure where you can buy them in SB, but you can order sterling silver or silver plate baby cups, etc., with the name engraved online. Like the educational gift suggestions too....
|
| |
COMMENT 286391
|
2012-06-08 07:41 AM |
|
To those of you thinking it's not special to the 1 year old to receive something memorable at age 1 - you are wrong. If the parents are documenting with photos and videos and it's a toy that lasts at least a few years, as early as age 3, the kid will look at pictures and if told about it remember stories about the pictures and their toys if the parents tell them about the gift giver. Kids as they get older are aware and like to hear the stories of their early years. How wonderful to look back at photos and know your godparent gave you a special gift you loved (doesn't have to be expensive to be special) even if you don't remember the actual birthday moment when you were 1. A memorable gift CAN be a start to building a cherished relationship with someone who might not be able to see a godson often (distance, conflicting schedules...).
|
| |
COMMENT 286394
|
2012-06-08 07:43 AM |
|
Really...???
|
| |
ARCHIE
|
2012-06-08 07:58 AM |
|
Thanks, Edhatters, for all these good ideas. I needed info about that too.
|
| |
COMMENT 286416
|
2012-06-08 08:22 AM |
|
I like the idea of books and the SB Zoo too. The Zoo membership can be used for a while, and the books will be read again and again.
|
| |
COMMENT 286430
|
2012-06-08 08:44 AM |
|
Give him a savings bond or make a donation to a tax-free college fund. Let him learn over time the value of long-term savings and tax-free growth. And do it every year of his life.
|
| |
COMMENT 286432
|
2012-06-08 08:48 AM |
|
Savings bond. Child will not remember much being this young, but he will remember you when a savings bond matures. Plus shows him the importance of savings.
|
| |
COMMENT 286450
|
2012-06-08 09:19 AM |
|
There is a great store called "Feed My Sheep" located in the El Marcado shopping center, 4141 State Street, 967-4511. They have great childrens books, movies, etc. It is a great place to get a religious item for child and parent. It is a great opportunity to get the parents involved as well as yourself and you being the God Parent is a very exciting and important roll in those little one lives. The owner is Cindy and she is always very happy to assist you in your needs. I pray you find what you are looking for.
|
| |
COMMENT 286453
|
2012-06-08 09:28 AM |
|
A family membership to the zoo is the ideal gift. It encourages the parents to share the zoo with their kiddies. How fortunate that we have this treasure right in the community. I always appreciate the size of this zoo. We always head to the top of the hill and work our way down, visiting all the animals.
|
| |
COMMENT 286495
|
2012-06-08 10:54 AM |
|
Some sort of savings bond or investment for the child's future.
|
| |
COMMENT 286496
|
2012-06-08 10:55 AM |
|
I had a recent death in my family, and the value of photos can not be underestimated. Take photos of the godparents, parents, and child together and capture these precious moments---frame and create a scrapbook or go on online and you can make a photobook at shutterfly or online costco photo center or vistaprint. So many options. A special hard bound book signed in your handwriting with a special note written in the inside cover, that can be treasured for years, is priceless....go to Chaucer's Bookstore, children's section, and they are very helpful in finding just the right book and even have free gift wrapping.
|
| |
AGENTSME
|
2012-06-08 04:01 PM |
|
Silver Dollar of their birth year
|
| |
COMMENT 286699
|
2012-06-09 10:44 AM |
|
Chicken Little on State and Victoria has mini shopping carts that are just like the real thing but small. They are useful to brace themselves against as the baby learns to walk, and when he can walk, he can use it for a few more years to tote his toys around and also shop at the store alongside mommy. They are very good quality and about $70-80.
|
| |
