• Many babies have fun ripping into their gifts.Happy baby image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
  
  Selecting a present for a child's first birthday is often an enjoyable but daunting task, as there are many toys and products available for you to choose from. When purchasing a gift, consider what the child already has as well as the child's interests and the family's needs. Take time to wrap the present in festive paper, as many children at this age enjoy the wrapping as much as the gift inside.
  
  

Blocks

• By the time a child turns 1 year old, she is able to enjoy building and developing her motor skills with a quality set of blocks. While wooden block sets are a traditional favorite, today there are plastic, fabric and cardboard block options available to fit a variety of family desires and price ranges. When selecting a block set for a 1-year-old, ensure that the blocks are free of small pieces and sharp corners.
  
  

Books

• Reading to a child is important at any age. Add to the 1-year-old's book collection by selecting a board book version of one of your favorite books from childhood, or select a toddler favorite such as "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" or "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" Write a special note to the child on the inside cover of the book explaining why you selected the story that you did and the date you gave him the gift.
  
  

Clothes

• While many children receive many clothes before their birth, most of them are too small by the time the child reaches her first birthday. Help the child's parents save on clothing costs by selecting several outfits in sizes that are a little large for the child, so that she can continue to have plenty of new outfits as she grows out of her current wardrobe.
  
  

Monetary Gifts

• Invest in the child's future by giving a monetary gift. Buy a savings bond or several shares of stocks for him to use as needed later in life or ask the child's parents if they have a savings account set up and give the child cash for his account. Giving a monetary gift allows you to give to the child both now and in the future, when the money is used.
  
  

Toys

• When giving a toy as a first birthday present, use caution to ensure that the gift is age appropriate for the child. Toys that 1-year-olds often enjoy include: push toys that help the child with her newly acquired walking skills; classic toys, such as shape sorters and rocking horses; and bath toys, such as fun washcloths, soap animals and rubber ducks.