How about a savings bond to go toward her education? This is something that if done at birthdays, holidays and special occasions, can help to defray the cost of college when the time comes. It says to your daughter that you were thinking about her right from the start and that you were planning for her and helping her to make the most of her life.

Toys are fun but fleeting... and you're right. She is too young for anything that she can actually play with yet, but things that can help her future are wonderful things that she will appreciate when she gets older.

Get her something that is a collectible, not a toy per se. You can get her a doll that reflects her national heritage, or special edition coin sets minted in 2009. The value will rise both emotionally as she grows up with them but fiscally. Good luck choosing just the right gift

Believe it or not, my son who is 26 years old has his first red wagon. I bought it when he was 5 years old...He's has a daughter who is 9 months and he rides her in it...

My sister's daughter still have her cabbage patch doll and her easy bake oven. Cabbage patch doll was brought when she was 4 years old and the easy bake oven when she was 9 years old. My niece is 33 years old now who has a 3 years old. The three year old plays with that cabbage patch doll...

Four years old, another niece who has a seven year old girl brought her a Princess doll house with all the accessories. Her daughter still has it and don't plan to give it away!

You see, my family believes in keeping an item that we brought for our children..

By the way, do you remember those wooden blocks with the alphabets on the side, a girlfriend of mines still have them...They're hanging in her car...She's 48 years old..

I have keep sake boxes for both my girls, when they were babies we bought them both bangles, they no longer fit them, but they are now in the keep sake boxes as they're first christmas presents.

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How about an expanding silver bracelet engraved with her name on the outside and inside with "For your 1st Christmas 2009 from Mummy & Daddy" or similar wording.

Give her a bracelet and a ring that fit her now. When she outgrows them, put them away in a special box so you can show them to her when she gets older. I certainly wish I had done that for my daughters. I gave my son a doll when he was just a baby and he loved that doll all his childhood but it is gone now. The bracelet and ring are something she can keep and give to her own child later.

Give her a charm bracelet each year, or when something significant happens. She will look forward to the charm you give her every birthday and Christmas. The first charm could be something engraved and each year, add a charm based on something in that child's life.

..i.e. became an older sister, started school, etc.

I don't know how much you want to spend, or what your family traditions are like, but you can also give her a piece of Waterford crystal for each birthday. She will have her own set by the time she gets older to entertain with, when friends and family come for a special dinner.

Good luck!

My son was 2 months old his first Christmas, so I got him a collectible Christmas tree ornament. My mom did the same thing. He's received a new one every year from both of us, and when he finally gets his own place will have 40+ ornaments for his tree.

My first sone was 9 months old on his 1st Christmas so he more or less let us know what he wanted. We didn't go crazy, but had plenty under the tree.

My second son was 2 months old his first Christmas, so we got him a toy box and put some baby toys in there that we did not have. However, we got the same amount of toys for each as my older son was counting by then. It worked for us.

Now is the time that you don't have to spend a lot of money on your baby. They can't count how many and they can't ask for that toy that everyone wants. You can get practical gifts like larger size clothing, something for their room, a special gift like starting a string of pearls if it is a girl and add one each special occasion or a toy box filled with some trucks or cars if it is a boy. Just a thought. Good luck.