1st Birthday

[Roupey03]

So May 4th 2011 my son will be turning a year old. My wife and I are going back and forth on what to get him for his birthday. We are throwing him a party with a lot of family coming in. So we are not worried about Toys or Clothes. We want to get him something, but are not sure what direction to go. Thought about the idea of things likes savings bonds or buying him silver.

Anybody have any ideas on what would be some good idea to buy someone on their first birthday?

[snafu]

We set up an education fund for each of our sons. Any gifts of money were added to the account; many relatives contributed to the college fund for all celebratory occasions.

[shanecurran]

I agree, love is the most important. But a fund is a great idea. I think my parents bought savings bonds for me when I was a child. I know the yield is not great, and the risk is probably higher than before (people assume the risk of default is zero, but it is not). Silver or gold is a neat idea as well.

[fruitbowlk]

I opened an savings account when my daughther first birthday. At one they really have no clue to what's going on so you should get too crazy about it.

[disneysteve]

If you aren't already funding a college savings plan, I'd go for that. It is tax-sheltered and can be invested as aggressively as you wish. No reason for a child to have low-yielding investments like savings bonds. And although gold and silver are shiny and pretty to look at, they aren't appropriate as an investment vehicle except as a small speculative part of your overall portfolio, certainly not the basis to start a young one investing.

[Frugal]

Maybe a trike? I remember my youngest brother getting one on his birthday years ago. He played with it for many years, and it was a practical gift!

[kork13]

Random counter-productive thought (sorry OP): What's the point of throwing a birthday party for a 1-y/o? The child will never remember it, and likely won't even recognize that it's a celebration all about him. Unless it's basically just an excuse to gather family/friends and/or for people to give you stuff for the kid (why not just call it that then?), I really just don't see the point. Just me though...

[khosta]

Yeah!!!! Buy him some stalks to watch grow or savings bonds are good too!!! Do something like that to help him with his future!!!