10 replies to this topic

[betty]

We have a family at our church that I want to help at Christmas time for their baby boy who will be 5 mos old. In addition to practical items, I want to include a few toys and keepsakes. Any suggestions on toys other than books for the first year to 18 mos that you remember as being "the best" for your kids? Any keepsakes that you now treasure? Thanks for your help!

[MamaHill]

We have a few really nice outfits. Those are things I would never buy just because we didn't have the money. But the memories of my little ones in those clothes are special to me.

Does she have a baby book? That might be an option. We have the baby cook with the Thomas Kinkade pics and nursery rhymes and I just adore it.

If you're wanting to splurge, you could buy something like a silver-plated cup or hairbrush set. Again, things I would never buy myself but hold special memories!

[Amishway Homesteaders]

Blocks - (not legos he is to small) I mean the big plastic or even wooden ones. And a small tote to keep them in helps.

anything car related (not Tomas or cars just plain old CARS and TRUCKS) Bigger then matchbox for now and anything to go with it like a play mat, felt roadways, signs and work cones, etc. again a tote to make it easy to pack up. You will be amazed at what you can find at a good dollar store.

coloring books and crayons (not markers again to little) there are some that are 'fat' easy to color with. Remeber the 'paint books' all you had to do was wet a brush and the color was on the page already. even works with Q-tips.

are there other kids in home?
then any board game that kids can play together (or with mom) like candy land, shoots & ladders are still out there and good. (find good ones at Thrift shops or new.

What boy wouldn't like a nice big ball to play with?

[GirlNextDoor]

A really special commemorative tree ornament. a digital camera.She will apreciate that more than something she will only whip out once yearly.

Edited by GirlNextDoor, 07 July 2010 - 01:08 PM.

[Violet]

You can make fabric blocks that they love. Just cut 6 squares and sew together. Stuff, and that is it.
There are fabric grab balls, too. More time consuming than blocks, but nice.
Soft bears. You can do just a front and back and sew together.
I also have a pattern for the cutest turtle pillow where the back is a quilt block.
Anything soft and huggable is great. A quilt, too, would be so nice.
They love books. Also, the Farmer Says by Fisher Price. Lots of fun toys out there.

[Deerslayer]

baby's hand print in the plaster of paris thing--a little tooth silver box (to hold baby teeth)--baby spoon with name engraved--a silver piggy bank--
those are some of the things i treasured from my children--only this year i sent all my kids baby shoes off for bronzing and had shadow boxes made of their baby things(including outfits and blankets) **my youngest is almost 21**

[indy gal preps]

Will the baby be 5 months old at Christmas ?I agree that a quilt is nice,you can find all kinds of different prints and such at the fabric store,just add a back and batting or fleece in the middle,sew it up like a pillow case leaving an opening to turn and finish it by sewing up the opening and tie quilting it with knots.

[Cat]

I would just add that small cars mean tiny wheels; at a very young age, avoid small things that could be swallowed. Embroider or sew eyes on stuffed toys, etc.

Homemade things that you can't find in a store are always special keepsakes for a lifetime.

Great thread! My new grandson will be 9 months old, and I should be thinking ahead!

[mommato3boys]

You can get plastic Tonka trucks for children 3-18 months. If you get stuffed animals pull on the eyes and noses to make sure they will not come off. Watch for small pieces that will break off if they baby chews on it, it will be a choking hazard.

Activity quilts that they can lay on and it makes sounds.
See and Says, my kids loved them.
Tupperware makes a sorting ball that my kids loved but you can find them in the stores also.
Things to attach to the car seat/strollers that will keep them busy


Keepsakes

Baby's first Christmas ornaments
Baby's first Christmas outfits
Blankets with name/birthday

[Jori]

DH's aunt (godmother) made a fleece blanket for DD when she was born and she takes it with her all over the place and she is 3 1/2 now.

Keepsakes - Cordory Bear books - they have the original ones - A Pocket for Cordory and Cordory but they have board books for holidays.

DD and DS both loved the ball booper. We have the larger one that you push a plunger to get it to work and then a smaller one that is a train. Mega blocks

[Melissa603]

My husband always liked to give a soft stuffed animal that glowed and played a lullaby. Both of our daughters still love theirs and our grandson really enjoyed his.