{"id":8177,"date":"2017-08-02T06:00:46","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T10:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.elfster.com\/?p=8177"},"modified":"2023-02-10T14:00:27","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T19:00:27","slug":"best-first-birthday-gift-ideas-delight-one-year-olds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/02\/best-first-birthday-gift-ideas-delight-one-year-olds\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best First Birthday Gift Ideas to Delight One-Year-Olds"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"unique<\/p>\n

\"unique
First birthdays are a milestone | Image courtesy Etsy seller InspiredbyAlma<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My favorite picture of me as a baby is from my first birthday party. I\u2019m sitting in my high chair sporting a Winnie the Pooh party hat with a big cake in front of me displaying a solo pink candle. The picture always brings a smile to my face because my expression is priceless\u2014I\u2019m gazing inquisitively at the camera as if to say, \u201cWhat is all this fuss about?\u201d<\/p>\n

While I obviously had no clue why I was wearing a silly hat, or why everyone was singing to me, my first birthday laid an important foundation for my development, my creativity, and my connection to my extended family\u2014and this was largely thanks to the gifts I received. My little pretend vacuum cleaner helped me with my balance as I took my first steps, my toy saxophone got me interested in music (I went on to play the real saxophone in high school), and the video my mom made of my family giving me birthday wishes remains one of my most cherished keepsakes to this day.<\/p>\n

A first birthday is so special not only because it marks the end of the baby era and the beginning of toddlerhood, but because it\u2019s the occasion when many little tots receive their first real gifts<\/a>\u2014the gifts that they\u2019ll treasure for years to come. While there\u2019s nothing wrong with a dolly or a toy dump truck, I\u2019ve got some ideas for the best first birthday gifts to delight one-year-olds, help shape their childhood, create memories, and even have a lasting impact on the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n

The Best First Birthday Gift Ideas for Development<\/h4>\n
\"walking
Let\u2019s go for a walk | Image courtesy Etsy seller FriendlyToys<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While my own first birthday is now too many years ago admit, I will say that I\u2019m now reaching the age where all of my friends are throwing birthday parties for their little ones\u2014and they all seem to be turning one this summer! While they\u2019re busy coming up with the best summer birthday party ideas for their toddlers, I set my sights on finding the perfect gift.<\/p>\n

What seems to be popular are fun gifts that facilitate child development. At one year of age, kids are undergoing so many rapid changes\u2014they\u2019re learning to walk, they\u2019re starting to speak their first words, and they\u2019re getting smarter by the minute. Here are a few developmental-focused first birthday gift ideas that have been a hit with my friends and their little one-year-olds:<\/p>\n