Kids grow up so quickly these days. It often seems like only yesterday that they were born; a time when they were completely dependent upon you for all of their needs, and where all they needed was warmth, love and food. And then they start to grow and this amazing little bundle of love starts to develop into a little person, with their own wants and needs. They start off with their first tentative crawls, which then move into more energetic and confident shuffles across the carpet. Then, before you can even get over the amazement of these initial achievements, they start to stand. And then these wobbly steps turn into more confident strides and, once again - before even a blink of an eye - your little girl is walking and running around as though it's something she has always done.

And believe me; things don't ever end quite there. Just as you've got used to the idea of having a little princess around the house and you've figured out many of her likes and dislikes, change takes hold and she carries on growing and maturing. She no longer likes the things she used to, and the things she starts to like perhaps make you wonder if she isn't just that little bit too young for that kind of thing. Let me guess, girls her age didn't have those kinds of hobbies back when you were growing up? Things change, time never stands still and one of the most remarkable things about life is that each and every beautiful new baby girl will eventually grow into a young lady - and for those to whom it has already happened, well done - you must be proud.

Now, as every year passes, it is important to mark each anniversary with birthday gifts that accurately reflect her tastes, whims and aspirations. Even at the very earliest of ages, the right birthday gifts are crucial. Young children need a toy that reflects their sense of fun, something cuddly to make them feel secure when those monsters are lurking under the bed - no matter how many times you explain that they really aren't there - and something that helps them learn.

That sense of comfort and security could perhaps be obtained with the help of the Tatty Teddy Message Bear. This beautiful personalised birthday gift can not only help keep the monsters at bay - he's multi-talented and trained in a special bear martial art you know - but he can also be kitted out with a personalised message of your choice on his t-shirt. His friend is pretty helpful too - known as they Top Teddy Bear, this toy can also be personalised and is pretty handy to have when monsters are apparently around.

And for the little girl looking for some fun in the sun, why not give her a My First Golf Set. Perfect for those lazy summer days when the rain has stayed away, this birthday gift will give her the opportunity to practice her hand-to-eye coordination, while at the same time working on her swing. You never know, she might develop her skills enough to become a golfing pro.

But what about birthday gifts for a young lady? Well, while the most suitable present is dependent upon her individual tastes - probably worth checking out the latest boy bands working the charts for this one - any girl who is into the latest gadgets is bound to be thrilled by a Pink VW Beetle Memory Stick. Fantastic for storing pictures of friends and family members while on the go, this USB gizmo also contains plenty of room for audio and video files, in addition to lots of sensible stuff for school. Crucially however, it's shaped into the form of a classic and cute car that can even flash its lights and rev its engine. There is even a blue version; just in case pink is not quite her thing.

Another great birthday gift could be the Love Heart Locket Key Ring - made from pink-coloured enamel, this key ring has just the right amount of space for a picture of someone special.

Whatever the choice of Gifts, just make sure they represent her as she is now, and enjoy the moment with her. Whether you're buying for a daughter, or for a friend, she'll grow even more before you realise, so the best thing to do is to just relax and enjoy. You'll be picking out her wedding gifts before you know it.