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Picking that perfect birthday gift for a child is always an exciting experience, but can also be rather challenging. Possibilities are countless, the choice of a birthday gift will depend on the resources available to the giver, and many other considerations, like the child's age, sex, and interest. Think about clothes, shoes, little girl jewelry, trinkets, fairy tale stuff, art materials, dolls, toys, playhouses, vanity sets, music boxes, racing cars, robots, and many others. Can you say Cash, perhaps?

Here are some gift ideas for the birthday girl or birthday boy.

Newborn to 1 year: On the baby's first few months, colorful toys like fancy rattles, flash cards and large picture books will keep the baby entertained, also nice soothing music. Activity quilts, decorated with animals or soft dolls, cloth books, bath toys or baby swings come useful. Be sure that the quilts are free of button noses and eyes, and small parts.

Ages 1 to 3: When a toddler turns one year old, he or she will engage in more active play, like climbing, jumping and exploring. Toys for building basic structure and those that can be used in active play will be preferred. Examples of gifts that will impress this age group are Kid's Rocking Horses and Rockers, and educational toys.

Ages 3-5: This is the stage for a child's creative and imaginative play. A child likes building recognizable structures, and uses smaller and more complex pieces. Your child now prefers playing in groups, and will show interest in toys that can be shared with friends. Examples of gifts that will impress this age group are pull toys, pretend play like puppet theaters, child sleeping bags and kitchen sets.

Ages 5 to 7: Children now develop stronger muscles. Coordination is improved, and so is dexterity. They develop a degree of competitiveness, and interaction becomes complex. Your children also become interested in home activities like, arts and crafts, reading, writing, and collecting. Look for activities involving arts, music, outside play, and sports. Children in this age group want more complex things to play with'more difficult games like card games, and more complex puzzles. Older children like reading easy novels, favorite stories, children's recipe books, and diaries. Examples of gifts that will impress this age group are child art easels and child sleeping bags. Unique child furniture like rocking chairs and toy boxes also make for great gifts.

Sometimes, it is a good idea to stock up on gifts, especially the small stuff, and those that do not get spoiled when kept in storage for a few months so that they can always come handy.

When giving gifts that take a lot of space, consider the size of the house where the family lives. Also, if the celebrant has other siblings, bear in mind that the gift items you have in mind, especially toys, might already be available in their home. Try to avoid the possibility of duplications.

If you are very close to the parents of the celebrant, and if you feel that they would not mind, ask what the birthday celebrant might need. This way, you will be able to get that almost perfect gift idea for the little one.