A child’s first birthday is a big deal for everyone in the family, but especially for the parents and the grandparents who want to celebrate the first year of life with milestone gifts. While one-year-olds aren’t usually that discerning when it comes to gifts, this is an opportunity to give one that marks just how special the little one is. It can be functional, decorative, or something to play with, and to help you out with your gift shopping we’ve put together a list of some perfect gifts for a 1st birthday.

A Sensory Cube

Sensory cubes are truly unique gifts. They are soft and made on an individual basis, and their purpose is to provide all the stimulation and interaction young children need. Australian artisan Poppy Sunrisa handmakes sensory cubes, and they feature wooden rings, colourful ribbons, rattles, and a soft Minky base. These cubes are perfect for little ones, as they can be spot washed and in addition, these sensory cubes can be personalised by adding a child's initials. 

Poppy Sunrisa has several sensory cubes available, such as Blinky. They come with a variety of colours and patterns, so be sure to take a look at them all!

Muslin Blankets

Anyone who has a child knows just how important blankets can be, and that importance doesn’t fade after they leave infancy. Local artisan Scribble & Sew has a range of high-quality muslin blankets made from a blend of bamboo and cotton. 

These blankets are incredibly soft, lightweight, breathable, and generously sized to allow for versatility. They can be used for pretty much anything, and they feature patterns that are both trendy and unique. 

Baby Headbands

Why not gift some gorgeous hair accessories for the little one in your life? ByKimb has stylish handmade hair accessories made from neutral tone fabrics. The fabric itself is a cotton/spandex blend that is breathable and gently stretchy.

These headbands would make a perfect gift for a little one and can be used for just lounging at home or for a day spent out visiting family. 

Handcrafted, Ethically Made Clothing

A little outfit or two are perfect gifts for a 1st birthday, so why not consider some of the things made by The Feather Bird? Ethically made in Melbourne from soft organic cotton, these clothes feature gender neutral style and can be worn by all kids for any occasion.

The everyday styles can be dressed up or dressed down and can be mixed and matched with other articles of clothing or worn on their own. 

Artwork For The Baby’s Room

Another perfect gift idea for a 1st birthday is artwork. As kids grow, they come to both recognize and appreciate colours and images more, so why not give them the gift of art? There is so much to choose from in this department that you will have plenty of options. 

Maria Teresa Gallery has a gorgeous watercolour, ink, and pencil print that would look perfect in any child’s room: Baby Turtle. The soft colours and the symmetry of the design are meant to instill stability and calmness in the viewer, while the vibrant array of shades is meant to impart both spirit and energy. 

Dr Rey Arts has a delightful, cheery set of two prints that will lend a playful yet calming vibe to any room. 

Line for a Walk has a collection of prints that are a mix of watercolour washes and clean graphic illustration. Their animal prints, such as the Watching You and Toco Limited Edition Print would look lovely on the nursery wall and will be sure to delight both child and parents alike.

Personalised Wooden Hangers

Also created by ByKimb, these wooden hangers are handmade in Sydney and can add a finishing touch to any child’s room! 

You can personalise them to include the name of the little one receiving the gift, and what colour you would like the text to be in. 

The Perfect Gifts for a 1st Birthday

As you can see, there are plenty of great and unique gift ideas out there for a 1st birthday! Whether you want to give the gift of fashion, sensory stimulation, or art, there’s a lot out there to consider. Choose something that will bring joy or useful functionality (or both) to the household in order to celebrate this big milestone!