A baby's first birthday is a major milestone, so when it comes to buying gifts, we all want to pick something fabulous and memorable. Nobody wants to be the person with the forgettable or "meh" gift at the birthday party!
People tend to gravitate towards baby clothes first when it comes to birthday gifts, but here's the thing--it's really hard to shop for a one year old. One year olds come in a variety of shapes and sizes! You might not know off the top of your head if they're in a size 6-12, 9-12, 12-18, maybe the baby is on the bigger side and already in a 2T, which makes things even more difficult.
Texting mom and asking for the size will ruin the surprise, and picking the wrong size means that you're making mom do more work by returning and exchanging. Our advice? Skip the clothing rack entirely if you're not 100% sure you know the baby's size! Here's our guide on the best first birthday gifts when you don't know what size the baby wears!
The Heirloom Keepsake
Again, baby's first birthday is a major milestone! Don't get them a cheap plastic toy or rattle that will just end up in the trash in a few months, get them an heirloom-quality keepsake. Heirloom-quality means that something is constructed with longevity in mind. It's made to be used over and over again, and once they're outgrown, they're still in good enough shape to be passed down to someone new.
A great option is a doll from Cuddle & Kind Co. Cuddle & Kind is one of our favorite brands at Wrightsville Ave. The construction is immaculate, the brand operates under ethical business practices, pay their artisans fair wages, and only use the highest quality natural materials. These are dolls that feel as good as they look, and they're designed to stand up to hours and hours of playtime and endless snuggles. Better yet, they're crafted beautifully and look great in any nursery.
Cuddle & Kind Co. also has a generous "giveback" mission where they donate ten meals to a child in need for every doll sold. Moms love a meaningful, thoughtful gift like this!
Shop our Cuddle & Kind Co. Collection
The "Imagination Starter"
Plushies and stuffies like Cuddle & Kind are great starting points for baby gifts, but you might be worried that other people are planning to bring the same gift. That's why we love recommending Maileg mice as gifts! These small but mighty mice come from a brand based in Denmark, so other partygoers aren't likely to pick them out as gifts, and they're absolutely adorable. These unique mice are the highest quality, made of super-soft organic materials that are also durable enough to last for hours of playtime. Candylab cars are a wonderful selection, too, as they're made of wood and use sustainable, non-toxic materials and packaging. These brands create toys that are beautiful, durable, and (most importantly) don't make any loud, obnoxious noises!
We call these the "imagination starters" because there are no buttons, batteries, flashing lights, or loud noises. These are toys meant to be played with, not plastic contraptions covered in speakers and buttons! These toys encourage open-ended, independent imaginative play, where baby gets to be creative and invent their own characters, settings, and storylines.
Even better? When you're buying high-quality toys like these, they're very aesthetically pleasing, so they're as nice to look at as they are fun to play with, making them perfect nursery decor pieces.
The "Big Kid" Upgrade
Being one year old is a major period for development, and they're rapidly changing and growing every day. They become mobile, have better control of their bodies, and start developing preferences for routines, food, toys, and caregivers. That's why picking out accessories for when they're just a bit older is a phenomenal gift idea!
Get two or three hats or hairbows in different colors/patterns. Mom can dress baby in the ones she likes most, but sooner or later, baby will start being able to pick which color or pattern is their favorite.
A little satchel or belt bag makes a great gift, too. One year olds can start moving around pretty quickly, which means that they'll be going on loads of little adventures soon. A little satchel is the perfect thing for them to carry around with them and collect little treasures! That's the sort of gift that's unique and functional, so it's a definite winner.
These gifts are some of the most memorable. When you pick out something like this, you're giving mom the opportunity to watch her baby express themself in a unique way, develop interests, and fill out their sense of self. Imagine: you get a baby a few bows on her first birthday, and a few months later she only wants to wear your bow. It's her first favorite thing ever! Now that's pretty magical!
Be the Favorite Guest
Picking out a gift or building a bundle without worrying about size tags is one of the best, easiest ways to shop for a baby's first birthday. It's also one of the most considerate ways to shop!
Are you ready to start building the perfect gift box?
Discover accessories for boys!
Look at our accessories for girls!
Are you already confident about baby's clothing size? Check our entire collection for babies for gift inspo!