"Could NOT Live Without" Item for ~1 Yr Old?

[akc]

Hi!

Gosh, I haven't been on here a while since my girls are 6 and 8 now but there are fabulous Xmas gift lists on here so I'm glad I came!

My purpose is to post for a gift for my sister who has a nine-month old son? I want to give my nephew a fabulous Christmas gift so I'm looking for ideas. I looked through the lists but I'm removed from the time and so much has changed - so I'm looking for a suggestion from those of you still living (and enjoying, right?) it!

just for reference, little man (my nephew) is a big guy - about 23 lbs and tall. He's just now scooting around but not in full blown crawl phase. And, he's very adept with his little hands, loves gentle noisemakers and music (not a big fan of startling loud things!) and he's a crowd pleaser. (He's a first so he's the center of the universe right now!) :-)

BUT this could apply for boy or girl or anyone with suggestions for the 9 to 18 month phase.

SO, What's the one thing you couldn't live without for your 1 year old? Can be a household helper or a toy / plaything! (And a few is OK too)

Thanks for your help!
Alexa

[fivi2]

Laugh and Learn Learning Home would be my top pick!

[akc]

Ooh - that's a good one and wasn't around in my day! Thanks -

Thanks for also reminding me that I should have added that I'm looking for anything up to $150. I try to give her the things that are hard to stretch for when you have a new baby. Plus, she gets hand me downs from my kids for everything else. :-)

I can tell this is going to be so helpful!

[akc]

Thanks for also reminding me that I should have added that I'm looking for anything up to $150. I try to give her the things that are hard to stretch for when you have a new baby. Plus, she gets hand me downs from my kids for everything else. :-)


Man, I wish I could edit - to clarify AGAIN, I'd also be happy to give her small, inexpensive things - no idea too small or too big! :-)

[infomama]

These are cute. Colorful, educational and if he chews on them..no biggie.
http://www.cptoy.com/cgi-bin/pf.sh/2.0/product.htm?pf_id=HAL-50L&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=Updated20101209&utm_term=HOM

These books are fantastic http://www.indestructiblesinc.com/

I bought a (musical) keyboard at WalMart one year and my dds still play with that. Think it was around $25.

Pedipeds http://www.pediped.com/Product/CategoryInfo.aspx?cid=49

Baby Tad (ours was the old model but this one seems to do some if the same things like play classical music) was huge around here at that age http://www.walmart.com/ip/LeapFrog-Hug-and-Learn-Baby-Tad/9605855

ETA-a rocking horse/animal would be nice, too. At that age I would get something plush.

[DebbieJ]

Radio Flyer Walker Wago

[katydid1971]

For toys I love ththe Leap frog music table for that age. Both of my kids LOVED it!!
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Learn-Groove-Musical-Table/dp/B000ETRENI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292180795&sr=8-1
For DVDs I loved the Baby Signing Time DVDs, we moved to the regular ones later but prefer the baby ones for their first dvds
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=baby+signing+time&sprefix=baby+signing+time
And all around thing I couldn't live without and still use constantly is my Ergo. IMO the BEST baby item EVER!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Ergo-Carrier-Black-Camel-Lining/dp/B0010PW3A4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292181015&sr=8-1

[kristac]

Agree with PP on Laugh and Learn House and RF Walker Wagon. All my kids really like thier Leapfrog Learn and Groove Table at that age as well.

[wimama]

Leap Frog Learn & Groove table, Fisher Price Sorter Blocks, Soft Soled shoes, and Sandra Boynton Books. Hanna Andersson Zippers, Moccasins and Winter Pilot hats. The Hanna hats tie on so little hands can't pull them off and they fit under hoods well. And, we absolutely loved the Sandra Boynton books!

http://www.amazon.com/Boyntons-Greatest-Hits-Boynton-Board/dp/0689823223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292181778&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Boyntons-Greatest-Hits-Opposites-Hippopotamus/dp/068982663X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292181778&sr=8-2

[citymama]

If he doesn't have a wagon I'd put it at the top of your list!

Hanna Andersson best baby jacket is a must have - I'd get sz 80 for him.

Small thing, but at 1, DD1 loved the Eric Carle book "From head to Toe".

[twowhat?]

If he doesn't have a wagon I'd put it at the top of your list!



:yeahthat: If he's not walking yet or has just started, the IKEA walker wagon or the M&D wagon are GREAT for hardwood floors because they're heavy enough for baby to pull up and slow enough that it won't "get away" from a new walker.

If he's walking steadily already, or you have carpet, a lighter wagon would work great.

[Philoscript]

Some of the things my daughter loves at 1 1/2 that she received around 8 months:

Leapfrog's Scout-This has been a constant companion.
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Table
Books-Boynton, I Spy Toddler Books, classics like We're Going on a Bear Hunt and Eric Carle books.
Stack and Sort Blocks
Ring Stackers

She didn't really take to any push or pull toys or electronic toys like the turtle from vtech.

As for me, as the parent of an 8 month old, I really appreciated the following:

Becco Butterfly II and my Baby Jogger Stroller
Robeez Shoes
Halo Sleepsacks for the cold winter
Hanna Andersson PJs. My daughter is long and lean and these fit her the best longest.

Hope this helps.

[MoJo]

Does he already have a great convertible car seat?

I agree with suggestions of everything from board books to the learning table.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

ds is 11mo and i totally agree on the HA best baby jacket (we have sz 80,DS is big)..a must-have!! Hanna zipper PJs or long johns (esp striped) are great too, and of course the HA mocs. and Laugh & Learn home also sounds good (ds is getting that for xmas). as for board books, ds loves sandra boyton and karen katz series, and Chicka Chicka ABC.

eta: oh and what's become a lifesaver now is our Thomas the Tank Engine humidifier. it's so cute, it puffs steam out of its little tank, and it lights up at night. ds loves looking at the steam come out. it has been helping DS sleep at night esp when its' been really dry and he is congested.

[viba424]

Cant live without:

By far, stacking cups
Ball popper
Elmo board book
Fisher Price activity table
Cookie monster doll
Zutano small rattle bunny doll for the diaper bag
Learning home house
Leap frog violet

[willow33]

Things we love (some have already been mentioned):

Step 2 Buggy - my DD loves this thing!!
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Home
Musical Instruments
Rileyroos shoes - by far my favorite shoes for babies/toddlers!!
Playsilks
Hanna Best Ever Baby Jacket - I so agree with this! It's the cutest jacket ever!

[akc]

Wow - So many great ideas! I"m going to be a bit of research tomorrow and will now have a great list, especially because his first birthday is in March so now I've scouted for then. Thanks, everyone - I'm loving your suggestions and creativity.

(Man, I've missed these Baby Bargain boards! My posts that go back to 2002 aren't linked to my account but I was here when my daughter was born and it was the 1st ed of Baby Bargains! This is such a great resource!)

Alexa

[akc]

Hi! (I posted a quick reply and don't know what happened to it so I apologize if this ends up being a duplicate!)

Thanks so much for the fabulous ideas... I'm going to start googling away. I appreciate all the advice - I know this is helpful for me and I'm sure it will be great guidance for others too! :-)

[goldenpig]

Radio Flyer Sport Coupe (I bought it for DD but DS LOVES it).
We have this and it lives in our hallway and gets played with all the time, by both DD and DS, and every single kid that comes over. It even has a radio that plays 3 tunes, horn, turn signals, key, and a gas tank.
It's 79.99 which is 38% off. I can't remember how much I bought it for but I think it was similar. It's worth every penny!
http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Sp...2219401&sr=1-1] (http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Sport-Coupe-Red/dp/B000U1VFMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1292219401&sr=1-1)

We are getting the Stand N Play Rampway & Learning Home for DS this year.

[fedoragirl]

We're getting the Grow with Me rocking horse from Magic Cabin for 11 month DD.

[jenstring95]

My favorite things for that age were a wagon, MegaBloks (I think they taught DS his colors, and I enjoyed building as much as he did!), and the Fisher Price Learning Table thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Learning/dp/B00023HVKC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1292295999&sr=8-4

which they probably don't make quite the same one, but I know the Leap Frog one is still out there at least...

[akc]

Wow! I'm sorry I haven't had time to reply - crazy with MY kids!

I'm so torn bc his first birthday is march 11 - so might you recommend giving him the RF walker or wagon then (plus it's warm enough to use outside)?

Laugh and Learn home looks like it might be something he'd use now? And I love a lot of the little things but (wink!) it's nice to give a big gift. :-). They might become my occasional auntie spoilers!

I had and gave them the leap pad music table so it's nice to know some "classics" are still good! I might have to inventory what else I have. I think I had a Vtech walker thing?

Pls let me know what you think about now (10 mos) vs 1 yr.

Thanks SO much!

Alexa

[citymama]

We're getting the Grow with Me rocking horse from Magic Cabin for 11 month DD.

rocking horses (plush ones) are so great for 1 yr olds! MIL got DD one for her 1st birthday and she still loves it (and loved it then).

[amyd]

mega blocks have been played with everyday for 6 years.

[akc]

Hi everyone -

Thanks to you, my Xmas gift was a hit! I'm sorry b/c I meant to follow up sooner, but I went with the Laugh and Learn Home and my nephew loves it! I worried b/c at first he wasn't doing that much but notice when things "talked" to him but as he's become a confident crawler, he's back and forth through it. And, now he's interacting with all the different features of it! My sister said sometimes he also opens and closes real doors and looks at them like, "Why aren't you saying, 'Open' 'Close' like my toy!" Too funny!

Thank you EVERYONE for your recommendations. I've come back to this post for 1st birthday presents and am considering the RF Walker Wagon - if you have any opinions, I've posted here:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=390506

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!