A first birthday is a milestone for the whole family, and for grandparents it’s something extra special: a whole year of watching a little one grow, and a chance to give a gift that says how much they’re loved. The best first birthday gifts from grandparents are the ones that get kept. A hand-knit friend that’s still on the shelf at ten, a set they’ll play with every day, a gift that becomes part of the family story.
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Gifts from this story
Every gift in this guide is from Estella, a family-owned New York brand making baby gifts since 2003. Our toys are hand-knit one at a time by artisans in Peru with a soft organic cotton exterior, and our clothing is organic cotton. We’ve earned 1,800+ five-star reviews from 55,000+ families, been featured in Vogue, and you’ll never find us on Amazon.
In this guide:
- Our quick picks
- What should grandparents buy for a first birthday?
- Must-have first birthday gifts from grandparents
- Sending a gift from far away
- Frequently asked questions
Our Quick Picks
- Best keepsake: Frank the Dog ($72), the hand-knit friend they’ll still have at ten.
- Best gift set: the Baby New Yorker Gift Set ($298), nine pieces in one gift.
- Best under $100: the Large NYC Taxi Plush ($78), a big, huggable yellow cab.
- The heirloom: the Heirloom NYC Baby Gift Basket ($695), seventeen pieces in a handwoven caddy.
What Should Grandparents Buy for a First Birthday?
Something to keep
A one-year-old will outgrow most toys and clothes within months. A well-made doll or plush friend can last for years, and becomes the gift everyone remembers came from Grandma and Grandpa.
Something right for their age
One-year-olds are pulling up, cruising, maybe taking first steps. They love carrying a favorite friend around, pointing at pictures and handing you things. Soft toys they can hug and carry, and board books to read together, are perfect.
Something that reflects them (and you)
Love New York? Sports? Animals? Choosing a theme that means something to your family, like the city where you met, or the team you all cheer for, makes a gift personal without needing a monogram.
Something the parents will love too
It’s always a good idea to check with the parents. Most appreciate gifts that are beautifully made, easy to wash and don’t add clutter, and a single meaningful gift often means more than a pile of plastic.
Must-Have First Birthday Gifts from Grandparents
Frank the Dog
Our most iconic piece: a 12-inch hand-knit dog with floppy ears, a stitched face and a little taxi on his chest. At one, he’s carried everywhere by an arm or a leg; years later, he’s still on the shelf.
Great dog! I love this dog. I have bought it for other people's children, and it's always their favorite. I just bought one for my soon-to-be-born grandson.
Pierre the Paris Dog
Frank’s chic French cousin, with a red beret and a “Je T’aime” sweater. A lovely gift for grandparents with a soft spot for Paris.
Organic knit doll, Pierre Dog: My 16mth old grandson LOVES Pierre! The toy is very well made, beautiful colors and great size.
Pedro the Pigeon
New York’s most famous bird, made huggable. A little bit cheeky, completely lovable, and always good for a laugh at the party.
Large NYC Taxi Plush
A big, squeezable yellow cab: something to hug, push and lean on, and a piece of nursery decor too.
Organic Stuffed Taxi Cab Pillow: We received our soft Taxi Cab Pillow from Estella - and it is everything we wanted in this item - soft, cute and cuddly.
All American Baby Rattles
A baseball, a basketball and a football, hand-knit and soft enough to toss. A favorite from sports-loving grandparents.
Big Apple Baby Rattle Set
A taxi, a Big Apple, Pedro the Pigeon and a coffee cup: four New York icons for a little one who’ll grow up loving the city.
My First Book of New York
Taxis, bridges, pretzels and pigeons. A lovely book to read together on visits, and a sweet add-on to any gift.
NYC Little Explorers Baby Gift Set
Two organic cotton bodysuits, a matching NYC bib, hand-knit taxi and Big Apple rattles and a New York board book: six pieces to dress up, play and read. Choose 12–18 months for a one-year-old.
Baby New Yorker Gift Set
Nine pieces: a taxi-print organic cotton bodysuit, a matching NYC bib, a muslin swaddle and a pacifier holder, plus Frank the dog doll, a taxi bear, an NYC board book and two rattles.
My Go-To Baby Gift Now: This officially became my go-to baby gift for NYC families. Thoughtful, adorable, and consistently well received.
NYC Taxi Knit Baby Gift Set
A knit taxi romper with a dog doll and a lovey: a coordinated special-occasion gift that looks wonderful in first birthday photos.
Frank NYC Baby Gift Basket
Twelve pieces built around Frank the Dog in a handwoven rattan caddy that stays in the nursery for years.
Heirloom NYC Baby Gift Basket
Our most complete gift: seventeen pieces including organic cotton clothes up to 18 months, Frank the Dog, a large taxi plush, a taxi lovey and five hand-knit rattles, in a handwoven caddy. A once-in-a-lifetime gift for a first grandchild.
Sending a Gift from Far Away
Many grandparents send their first birthday gift by mail. Ship directly to the family and add a free gift message in your cart, like “Happy first birthday, sweetheart. We love you to the moon. Love, Nana and Pop.” Every order includes a gift receipt with no prices. Gift boxing is $8, complimentary on orders over $175. Orders ship within 1–2 business days, with free shipping on U.S. orders over $75.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do grandparents usually give for a first birthday?
Many choose one meaningful keepsake, like a hand-knit doll or plush toy, or a complete gift set the parents can use right away. Some grandparents give both.
What size clothes should I buy for a one-year-old?
Most one-year-olds wear 12–18 months. Choose 18–24 months if you’d like it to last longer.
Are Estella toys good for a one-year-old?
Yes. Our knit toys are soft and light, with an organic cotton exterior, hand-knit in Peru, and a polyester fill. Each product page lists its materials. As with any toy, supervise playtime.
Can I buy Estella on Amazon?
No. Estella is sold only at estella-nyc.com and at select museum and boutique partners.
More First Birthday Ideas, Made with Love
See all of our first birthday gifts, our luxury baby gifts and our baby gift baskets.
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