Little Tykes has tons of stuff depending on price range. For twenty five and up, look for a folding picnc table, adustable basketball goal, etc...
duplos are always a hit, trucks and cars for his age (be sure to check the age range), LeapFrog has a ton of toys in all price ranges that are educational,noisy and fun. An old fashioned kids' drum set is always a hit, and one of those walker/ride on things that can be pushed to help him walk steadily or ridden on are usually hits. My inlaws gave thank you one and my evil father taught him AND Jess that batteries could be changed. Until them all of my kids thought when the batteries died you could still play with it but it wouldn't make noise anymore. Took my dad a week to realize the mistake he made with that little lesson,lol. Mostly because anytme they drove me nuts with a noisy toy I sent them to Gpa. Even if he was asleep.
My mom thought it was HILARIOUS.
Bath toys were hits with my kids also.
At age one, the parents might appreciate a small toy and a big box of diapers or a gift card to Walmart where they can choose what he would like. Depending on the parents, classical music to help get the kids to sleep. My kids, esp the boys, would conk out if we played Mozart. We played a LOT of Mozart some weeks, lol.
Consider a gift card for the zoo, or a zoo or kids' museum membership. We didn't go to the zoo much, but we used to go to the Children's Museum in Cincy every couple of weeks when we could afford a membership or we got one for a gift.