I have 3 small grandkids - boys - 6 months, 2 years, and 4 years. They are cousins to each other, and live near each other. They call me "Nani". They are overwhelmed with toys - new and passed-down. They have lots of clothes - the same. What in the world can I "wrap" up for them - when they come over on Christmas day morning? There's nothing I can buy they don't already have to play with or wear. It's just so unbeliveably hard to find something "unique".
I have several kids on my gift list that are overwhelmed with things, too. In the past I've given them beautiful books, art supplies (they always need replenishing), US savings bonds, original art pieces (yes, kids DO appreciate art and it will increase in value or, at least, have sentimental value), audio tapes (kids love music), and videos.
Hope that helps.
One idea I had was for you to make them audio tapes to listen to at home, in the car, or whenever they aren't with you. Just find their favourite stories and songs that they like to share with you (or make one up yourself!) and then record it so they can hear grandma anytime they want to.
You could also give them "lessons with grandma coupons." Find some activity you'd love to teach them (cooking, baking, card playing, a musical instrument, art/craft lessons or whatever you're good at) and give them lesson coupons and whatever equipment they'll need (apron, rolling pin, playing cards, instrument, art/craft supplies etc.). Have the coupons made up for however many lessons you want and this way you're not only giving them a present to open, but also some special time and learning with Grandma to look forward to.
Books, books and more books!
First, there are companies that will personalize books for your grandbabies. You fill in a form and they paste the info into a story that then is all about "Sammy's Adventures" or whoever... Better yet, find a favorite story from your childhood and write it down, then replace the hero's name with the child's, his sidekick with the best friend's name, place names with local favorite spots and so on.
2nd, scrapbooks about your grandbabies, or better yet, about their parents, are easy to create and print on the computer. When they destroy them, you can just print out another copy. Make sure that the title page says something like "Sammy's scrapbook about Mommy that Nani wrote just for him!" You get the idea. There are also teething rings for the youngest that have spaces to insert family pictures, but only put one face per insert space so you don't overwhelm the baby.
3rd, at those ages, any picture books are wonderful, and they're all of an age to enjoy books that squeak, or have pieces to pull in and out, or pop-up books.
The biggest problem with books as a gift is letting the parents know that it's ok for the kids to treat the books as a toy. All too often books like this land on a shelf and busy parents don't have time to pull them down to read to the kids. So, come up with books that are easily replaceable and insist that the kids put them on the toy shelf within reach and just play!
My mom made each of her grandkids a photo album using an inexpensive notebook and then covered it with padding and fabric to fit each childs personality. Each year she picks a family picture and has a negative made and enlarged. She scraps it and then has it color copied, (so she doesn't have to scrap all of them. She's got 20 grandkids!) She then writes a small story about that picture and puts it on the back or scraps it with the picture depending on the size of the picture.
Maybe you could write down your childhood memories and ways of living when you were a child, make it into a book and give each child a copy. Also genealogical information presented in style, will give them many happy hours, with their memories of their Nani.
At http://www.oriental.com - the Oriental Trading Company (aka the world's largest toy box) has wonderful craft sets for little ones. They have such a variety that you could certainly find a different one for each child!
A book of movie tickets makes a nice gift, and if they are too young to go alone, a note telling them when you will take them. Also ball game tickets will work also
I think kids (and mom's will appreciate) gift cerificates to McDonald's, Jack in the Box, etc.
Kids love being the one to pay for things too!
A card good for a trip to the zoo, park, pet store, circus, etc.
The same for grandma's homemade cookies.
For a girl, a fancy box from Ross with some costume jewelry. They all like these.
For a boy, a bike ride with just you and him.
For a baby, time with grandma alone for a set amount of time.
Open a savings account for them. You could give them a small box of candy or a small gift certificate to there favorite place but a savings account you can put money in for any occassion, then they can use it for school, there first car, maybe even there wedding. I know that is how I got started. Thanks to my grandparents.
Shannon in NC
My parents made the neatest gift for our boys. They just loved it and STILL do! 2 years later! They each recorded themselves on a casette tape reading a book! We listen to it all the time! We are not real far away from them, but whenever they miss them, they just pop in the tape and follow along in the book! My mom bought most of the books (she has 10 grandkids) at garage sales. They also gave them their own casette player too if you wanted to spend a little more! Have a blessed Christmas!
What a wonderful idea Jill! I think this would be a good present for some of my grandkids.
I'd suggest something "personalized". Like a name plate for them to hang in their bedroom and such. Happy Holidays!
I would suggest that you wrap a small item so that they each have a parcel to open on Christmas morning. Then "invest" in the main present by paying for an EXPERIENCE, such as Children's Theatre or a wild, exciting, outdoor adventure.
My dear Grandmother had 13 grandchildren and was widowed at 35 years old with 6 children to raise- what a women. I am saying this to let you know that she did not have much money but did well with the little she got. She use to make use grandchildren Christmas ornaments! That was one of her gifts to us every year. She past away two years ago this month (July) and we miss her but come Christmas time my tree is FULL of Christmas ornaments that grandma made.
You can go to Hobby Lobby and buy the beaded kits to make several of them and then get different ones every year. She also sewed us one year it was a kleenex box cover that looked like a present (for a square box), a jewelry keeper, a quilted cassorole carrier. I know some of these are too old for the little ones but maybe for their mothers. My aunt made me a quiet book when I little that would be great for the youngest. Oh Yes grandma also made puppets out of washclothes that we used for years. There a lot of crafty ideas out there that the children will charish more than any store bought toy!
Mini-drones are fun little flying helicopters and make great christmas gifts! dronelifestyle.com/
My mom made the grandchildren and great grandchildren a personalized pillow case and quilt. They all love them and want more. These are something they will cherish forever and even the baby will love it. Now she makes them a pillow case for every holiday.
