1St Birthday Budget

Updated on October 12, 2011
K.L. asks from Fort Stewart, GA
11 answers

Our baby boy is growing so fast! He will be 1 in November and my husband and I are trying to figure out what kind of budget to have for his gifts. We will not be having any sort of party with friends or family since we moved across the country from them, so he most likely will not be getting gifts from other people (except maybe a few outfits sent via mail). We know for sure we want to have a mini party at home for him, just some simple decorations for the highchair, a cake to smash, and some gifts for him to open (no guests). As for a gift budget, what did you spend? Also, what were the best gifts given?

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So What Happened?

So my husband and I were thinking around $50, but we are not quite sure as we don't know what we want to get yet. We know for sure that we want to get a walk and ride type of toy (priced at walmart from $25-$50), and something else. I was just curious as to what seems to be the most popular gifts with the kiddos!

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We spent $0. We did not have a party and one year olds have no concept of a birthday so we did not give him gifts, a cake (he did not even try cake or cookies probably until he was 3) or decorations. He got new toys when we found one we felt was a good toy. Not on any sort of schedule.

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A.G.

answers from Boston on

You probably don't need to spend any more than $15-20 for gifts. At one gets a few little truck and some blocks and he will be good to go. Most grocery stores do a free 1st b-day cake. Decorations can be a couple dollars from any store.
I did the same thing with my youngest because his birthday is a week before christmas. I few balloons, a few presents and a few family members came over and we had pizza. Nice and easy

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A.G.

answers from Las Cruces on

My twins turned 1 in august. We bought them some new pj's- and spent about $20 per kiddo. We had a small mostly family party, we didnt do any decorations & my s-i-l made cupcakes ( some for guests and some to be demolished by the kids)
I think their favorite gift was some ride on toys ( one was little mermaid & the other was buzz lightyear) that belonged to their cousins.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I did 2 - 3 gifts so like $30.
1 memory piece like the Precious Moments age train
1 cute outfit

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S.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Just get them one or two things that are smaller. Christmas is coming soon too so they will have tons of presents.

We love the ball popper and the walk behind/ ride on little bike type things (not very helpful is it). see the link from brown eyed girl.
http://www.amazon.com/Playskool-Explore-Grow-Popper-Assor...
Our little guy loves puzzles too!

Happy birthday! Enjoy the cake and take lots of pictures!

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B.S.

answers from Lansing on

I think this is the best toy for 1 year olds. Both my girls got one for their first birthdays and it was a toy used often in our household.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4416703

As far as your budget, I wouldn't worry about how much you spend at this point. Just get him something he would enjoy.

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N.W.

answers from New York on

I just got my nephew for his 1st birthday the Vtech Sit and Stand Alphabet Train. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3497093
He really seemed to enjoy it, so did my kids ages 20 months and 4 yrs. The alphabet blocks seemed to be the most popular with them.

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J.M.

answers from Atlanta on

We used to go all out for birthdays, Christmas, and Easter but have now changed to where we give the kids 1-3 gifts for each occassion and throughout the year surprise them with gifts. I have found if we give our kids 1 present, they will play with that present until it is worn out. If our kids get tons of presents they get bored really quickly. If I had to do it over again, I would get our kids ONE toy present for their 1st birthday and then some books.

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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

He doesn't need anything....what ever you do is going to be for your and dad and photos for memories. I made my son's first cake, we did have guests, but just served cake, ice cream, and punch. The best gift he received was from a friend who made a piggy bank....he's now 43 and we still have that bank. So just be simple and take pictures Mama!

Blessings....

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think $20-$50, and only $50 because so many of the educational toys are $40-$45 at Walmart. I liked the riding pony/zebra/lion thing. It has had different decorations over the years. It is fun for the little guys. There are many many toys that are appropriate for this age and you can't go wrong even with one or two of them.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

we had a small party at our home since one year olds have no concept of what a birthday is - it's more for the parents than the child!!

We bought small token toys, had an individual cake for them and a cake for the rest of the family.

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