- A one-year-old can't yet articulate what he wants, so before you buy anything, ask the parents what the child needs. You might want to buy toys or clothes, but if the child needs something else, that's what you should buy instead. There is no shortage of useful accessories for children (such as something to occupy the child when he is in the car seat), so let the parents tell you what they can use for the child.
- Children can't read at the age of one, but don't let that stop you from buying books for a one-year-old. Many parents like reading to babies and toddlers to help them along with their language comprehension skills as well as to spend some quality time with their children, and the books you buy for a one-year-old will be useful for several years.
- If you must buy a toy, make it something useful. One-year-olds are developing their walking skills, so think about giving a a toy lawn mower, toy shopping cart or anything else she can push around and lean on a bit for balance. Also, children at this age are developing their spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills, so any peg-and-hole toys or building blocks will help them learn.
- This is a bit traditional, but some people like to give one-year-olds silver keepsakes to mark their first birthdays. An engraved spoon or a cup, for example, can be the start of a collection that continues through childhood.
- Money always helps, whether it helps the parents buy baby necessities or it helps the child later by going straight into a savings account or college fund. Either way, the parents will appreciate it.
