Xmas Shopping for a One Year Old..

Get him a ride-on type truck or such and put the money into a college fund. He clearly doesn't need anything and he'll never know the difference!

I think your gymboree idea is great.

Otherwise I would just get him something for the future.

It's really more about the opening than what is inside the box. Just get a FEW small things to open. Books? Movie? Stuff you might buy anyway... he really won't remember the actual gift. And the fewer you have him open, the happier he will be. Make it more about decorating and baking cookies than gifts at this age. Just my thoughs...

I love your ideas!! We did a lot of books for our kids at age one. And I tried to think a few months down the line. The best one for our kids were kid sized broom and dustpans. That way they could "help" me clean when I needed to get stuff done around the house. For my daughter, we wound up just gettign a broom at the dollar store and cutting the handle down. It was the perfect size and much better in price than the kids set we bought for my son. We also got the crayola tadoodles...they could use them until they were 16 or 17 months, but I was so glad to have them on the shelf when they were ready. Both of our kids got sippy cups and toddler dishes and silverware too.

Both your ideas sound great. My daughter got this awesome push and ride on buggy when she was one and she loves it, still uses it now and she is 2. We got her a tricycle when she was about 1 1/2 and she still can't pedal but does love it too. so either way they are great. Books are always good!

A ride on is always a hit this age..Big puzzles,coloring books/crayons i'm getting the color me a song by Crayola for my 20 month old

He is not going to know the difference if there aren't older kids around getting things. Junking up your house is another reason you don't want buy to just buy. If he doesn't need toys then don't waste your money. There are a few cute things in the toy r us black friday sale for $10-15. If you just want something. My kids loved the toy balls spits out and they chase, $15. Blocks, legos.

the bike sounds good. keep it simple. he won't really remember this one.

I used to always wrap a box of diapers so that there'd be presents under the tree. everyone gets underwear for christmas right?

also, i try to get my kids 1 new ornament each year, with the year on it.

Since he doesnt need anything its tough, the bike sounds good and something he can open. I think watching them rip open wrapping paper at that age is more fun then what they actually get.

Children don't get bored with toys. They get overwhelmed with options when they have a lot of toys. If you limit what he has, instead of him being bored, he will be able to actually focus and enjoy the toy. I cleaned up tons of toys and sold them in boxes on craigslist, my kids never noticed the difference what was missing, but had more fun exploring the ones they had.

As for his age range, large leggos, large blocks (the large foam blocks are great),, wooden puzzles, play dough or the little ride bike, the gym idea is great... all fun and tactile things he can do to enhance his creative play and concept building skills.

The Gymboree idea is a great gift! My youngest will 1 next month and he's not getting a whole lot for Christmas. We got him the Vtech Touch & Learn system and a couple other smaller toys but he really doesn't need anything else. I say go with Gymboree! I wish I would have thought of that! LOL

Here's the Touch & Learn System-

http://www.amazon.com/Vtech-Infant-Learning-Touch-Storyti...