Baby Toys

I suggest starting a savings account or a 529 College Plan. Savings bonds are good also. He won't know the difference and you (and anyone else buying for him for that matter) could put that money to good use by doing that instead of buying toys.

I would really take advantage this year of not having to spend alot. My son is 8 months and we got him a few books and a ball popper. You can't go wrong with books, they'll provide years of entertainment.

Baby toys need to be chewable and last for a developmental stage or two. A chewable ball will get lots of use. All babies at age one love balls. Please read the lables very carefully on all toys, yes bad toys are still on the shelves. Have a wonderful first Christmas and take lots of picture. Most of my children slept thru their first Christmas.

I would stick to basics or something you will need in the future. Developmental toys for 6 months and older, clothing in larger sizes, any gear you don't have like a high chair, grocery cart seat cover, books for the baby or parenting books for you, a CD player with soothing CD's, start an education fund for him. At this stage he doesn't know or care about Christmas gifts so it is OK for you to totally skip gifts this year. However I know Grandparents and others will want to give him something so this is a great time to ask them for something you really want or need. Have a Great Christmas.

You start his college fund or savings account. They have no clue it's even Christmas, they can't open gifts, and buying stuff is not as rewarding as investing in your son's future.

I have a cousin who was just born in September, so she's 3 months old now. We got her name in the gift exchange this year, so I was having a similar problem.

What I did was get her some cute bibs (one that says "I love my big brother") and then went online and found a cute pillow that I'm having personalized with her name, birthdate, time of birth, weight, length, and birth place. The website is http://cgi.ebay.com/PERSONALIZED-BABY-PILLOW-A-GREAT-GIFT...

I know it's mostly for her parents, but they told me not to buy diapers, formula, baby food, or anything like that...and I know she has LOTS of clothes. So I thought the pillow sounded like a good idea.

If you don't have one already, maybe get a tummy time mat. My daughter had the Baby Einstein one and she loved it. You can get them at Babies R Us, Target, or WalMart. Teething rings, rattles, or something like that would also be good. For my daughters first Christmas we got her her first ornament, we had her name put on it with her birth date... something she'll be able to keep forever!

Good luck!

I think a good idea for a baby this little is something they can keep and enjoy when they are older. Maybe a proof set of coins from the U.S. Mint, or a savings bond. I also liked the ornament idea. At this age, all he wants is Mommy and food, so its hard to come up with a toy idea!

My little boy LOVED Baby Einstein and Praise Baby videos. They completely captured him. We got some of the Baby Einstein hand puppets too and he loved those. It is hard the first year because you want to get them all this stuff, but they don't play as much yet. Developmentally appropriate toys are great too.

At that age, babies get things to make MOM's life easier!!! Diapers, formula, carseats, maybe some outfits and a couple of toys, but you are the one who will have to open everything. He will not remember.

It's a great time to start a tradition or two also. Every year since my oldest was born, we buy a special ornament for the tree commemorating special things from the year.

And, just to share beyond, if your little guy gets fussy after the big day, it's most likely because he has been passed around and held so much. He may be a little sore.

Get him what you would like him to have. Don't make a big deal out of it. He won't care. Even at 18 months, my daughter got overwhelmed--and we didn't buy her much. Kids really need very little to be happy. Buy stuff for the whole year (blocks for when he's bigger) or save your money and buy it as it becomes age appropriate.

K..

Ps. I sound bossy. I am really making suggestions, not orders!!

I got my son the Little Einstein's cloth blocks, toys that vibrated, and pop up books. He really responded to the pop up books. Oh and clothes were always a good thing. lol. I also got him a first Christmas ornament.

An activity mat would be good they can look at it right now then in a couple of months play with the toys on it. S.

My daughter was 4 months at Christmas time last year. We got her a T.J. Beary Tales (much like a teddy ruxpin of our day) and she loved it. She just lied on the floor and listened to him. She loved trying to drag him around too. We also got her bath toys. Hope this gives you an idea!
--S.

I got my one week old baby the Fisher Price Aquarium and now his little brother falls asleep with it every night. It's really cool and they came out with a new one that even has a remote.
Also, any baby gym would be good, that's something he can play with now.