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The Daily Dish Home and Design

Going to a 1st Birthday Party? These Are the Only Gifts You Need to Buy

Because if you bring something that beeps, the parents will never invite you back.

By Liz Kennedy

You know that gift you will think is perfect for your favorite one-year-old? The one with the beeping, flashing lights and 79 pieces? It’s not perfect. As a mother to a one-year-old, I will respectfully tell you that if you bring a toy into my house that beeps relentlessly, contains a strobe light, or takes me longer than ten minutes to put together I will put that toy in a closet and it will never see the light of day.

So then what do you buy? You’re not a one-year-old and you don’t remember being one. Let me break it down for you: Buy a birthday gift that keeps on giving—one that makes baby happy and doesn’t drive and mom and dad to drink. If you add any of these items to your cart, I promise you’ll be the true hit of the party.

1. Personalized Superhero Cape

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s your favorite one-year-old! Choose the colors, style, and initial to create a super cape for your superhero. All that’s left to do is party and save the world.

BUY FROM: Etsy, $24+

2. Indestructible Nursery Rhyme Book Set

No drool, chew, or little fingers can destruct these classics. Humpty Dumpty, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Hickory Dickory Dock are perfect for the way baby reads—with their eyes, hands, feet, mouths… let’s be honest, they read with their whole body. Even better? They’re washable!

BUY FROM: Uncommon Goods, $28

3. Babiators Sunglasses

Need a cool gift to match the coolest one-year-old you know? Enter Babiators. Fashionable and functional, these baby shades are impact and shatter-resistant, so they’ll stand up to being thrown from the stroller repeatedly. Plus, they just look straight up baller. Bonus: With every purchase, you’re granted a freebie replacement pair for when baby throws them out their stroller when no one is looking.

BUY FROM: Babiators, $20+

4. Customizable Storybook Pillow

Looking for something a little more sentimental? This personalized pillow is a perfect tribute to a perfect one-year-old. Showcase your favorite little person as an amazing book character complete with illustrations and custom “reviews” on the back. Parents will love the way this timeless keepsake looks and kids will love to snuggle with it.

BUY FROM: Uncommon Goods, $120

5. Personalized Animal Growth Chart

Help the parents keep track of their kid’s gains with this beautiful, customizable growth chart. They can write the date and a fun fact next to the measurement, so they’ll always remember when they were small.

BUY FROM: Land of Nod, $39+

6. Toddler Metallic Vans

These Vans were made for walkin’ and that’s just what that one-year-old will do in these cool kicks. Plus, the metallic color will earn the little one some major street cred.

BUY FROM: Zappos, $35.00

7. Taco Truck

Let’s taco about great gifts, okay? This is it. Made from recycled cardboard, this truck is quick to set up (no little pieces!) and move locations easily. Kids will love pretending to hand out everyone’s favorite Tex-Mex food and you’ll love the adorable service. All we want to know is if guac is extra.

BUY FROM: Uncommon Goods, $69

8. Baby Bath Robe

Because what’s cuter than a toddler in a lion robe?! Answer: Nothing. This warm and fuzzy robe comes in 17 different animal styles and is perfect for getting cozy after bath time.

BUY FROM: Amazon, $16.99

9. Locks and Latches Wooden Activity Board

Unlock the magic of a one-year-old being mesmerized by a toy for longer than three minutes. This super interactive board of locks, latches, doors and hidden surprises is great for fine motor skills and tiny, inquisitive minds.

BUY FROM: Target, $21.99

10. Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon

Little one on the move? This classic wagon is the perfect gift for a one-year-old who is just learning to walk. It features a unique resist push feature that creates confidence as they cruise around the house. Plus, the wagon is the perfect size for transporting around everything a one-year-old insists on carrying—stuffed animals, sippy cups, blanket, lovey, pacifiers, random sock, Tupperware, spoon and more!

BUY FROM: Amazon, SALE $45.20 (Regularly $79.99, 43% Off!)

11. Pull Back Cars and Trucks

Think a toy car can’t go fast? Think again. These pull-back cars will FLY with just a little input from some little hands. Best part? They’re soft (and washable!) and won’t scuff up your walls when they make crash landings. Zoom, zoom!

BUY FROM: Target, $21.99

12. Mr. Food Face Plates

Need a little entertainment with dinner? Have no fear, Mr. Food Face is here! Create epic breakfast, lunch, or dinner characters that’ll make any mealtime, show time. These plates will give “playing with your food” a whole new meaning.

BUY FROM: Amazon, $12.71

13. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Slide and Find Board Book

Eric Carle’s classics just got an interactive upgrade with this board book filled with sliding doors. Kids will love to reveal what’s behind the doors and parents will love to read the familiar rhyming words over and over (and over) again.

BUY FROM: Amazon, $8.59

14. UglyDolls Adventure Collection

Want to gift something a little cooler than a teddy bear? Enter the ugliest (cutest) superheroes you’ve ever seen. Each Uglydoll comes with an “ugly” face, a unique power, and an adorable life story. You’ve never wanted to snuggle something ugly, so hard.

BUY NOW: Amazon, $34.95

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