Every year at Valentine’s Day, we are bombarded with advertisements for chocolate and flowers. Everyone gets lots of chocolate and flowers. How can we Grandmas find the best Valentine’s gifts?
As Grandma, I buy gifts for the grandchildren for every major and minor occasion in their lives or for no occasion at all. I buy off their wish lists on www.amazon.com and on www.barnesandnoble.com. I buy educational toys and silly throw away toys. I buy clothes they need such as underwear and pajamas and clothes they want such as “junkfood” from www.gap.com. I want to be different for Valentine’s Day and NOT spend a lot of money. So here is the best Valentine’s Day gifts:
YOURSELF. If you are a local grandma, the best gift is a dinner at the restaurant of the grandchildren’s choice and/or special outing over the weekend closest to Valentine’s Day. How do you announce it? If it is a trip to the zoo, then print out a picture of the zoo from the internet and stick it into their card. If you are a long distance grandma, the best gift is still a special outing. However, it may need to wait for the next visit. Again, announce the outing and when it will occur on the picture, and stick it into their card.
TARGET GIFT CARD. Target sells everything. My grandchildren love Target. One of my daughters specifically asked me to give the grandchildren each a Target gift card this year. When she does her shopping at Target, invariably the grandchildren ask her to buy them something. If Grandma sends a gift card, she can say a gift this trip is thanks to Grandma. It also teaches the grandchildren about money. The grandchild has to pick something for the amount of money of the gift card. My Target daughter is wonderful in the way she has my younger than two and five year old grandchildren say thank you—either a smiling picture of them holding what they purchased emailed or texted to me or Face Time or both! One $10 or $15 gift card in the Valentine’s Day card is great. If Grandma intends to give more than that, do it in $10 denomination gift cards. This way Mother has several Target shopping trips covered and the grandchildren think you give them a gift every time they go to Target!
I TUNES GIFT CARD. Older grandchildren are into electronics. They are always pestering their parents for I Tunes something. My older daughter specifically asked me to give the grandchildren each an I Tunes gift card. The grandchild has to pick something for the amount of money of the gift card. My I Tunes daughter is wonderful in the way she has my six and nine year old grandchildren say thank you—either a smiling picture of them holding what they purchased emailed or texted to me or face time or both! One $10 or $15 gift card in the Valentine’s Day card is great. If Grandma intends to give more than that, do it in $10 denomination gift cards. This way Mother has several I Tunes requests covered and the grandchildren think you give them a gift every time they want I Tunes!
How does Grandpa or Grandma’s significant friend help with the Valentine’s gift? Grandpa is the one on the way to the stores to buy the gift cards as I write this! However, Grandmas everywhere—please do not let Grandpa pick out the Valentine’s Day card. The Valentine’s Day cards is where Grandma splurges for Valentine’s Day! The cards are like gifts in and of themselves, so really no additional gift is necessary. But, I think you already know that this Grandma goes overboard.
The Valentine’s Day Card: Grandchildren love to get cards in the mail. Although, I know that I should have them pay attention to the stamp now so they know about stamps, the cards I ultimately purchase are usually those that require extra postage. I spend a lot of time selecting the cards. Last year I sent those fabulous talking or singing cards. This year this is what I chose:
For the Toddler: Hallmark has teamed up with Disney and come out with fluffy stuffed character cards (almost like flat stuffed animals or hand puppets). I selected Winnie the Pooh. Yes, it is very expensive at $6.99 but it really is a hand puppet for a toddler who will have a toy in addition to the Target gift card.
For the young granddaughter: Hallmark has teamed up with Disney and come up with cards with a wearable band with charms, that detaches from the card. I selected Minnie Mouse, as my grandchildren are Disney World raised by their Florida Grandma. It can be worn as a wristband, anklet, sandal strap or more. Yes, it is very expensive at $5.99 but it is really a gift in addition to a card.
For the young grandson: Hallmark has teamed up with Marvel and come up with cards with a wearable band with charms, that detaches from the card. I selected the Avengers, because it has lots of superheroes. It can be worn as a wristband, anklet, sandal strap or more. Yes, it is very expensive at $5.99 but it is really a gift in addition to a card.
For the nine year old grandson: Hallmark’s team up with Marvel Comics produced great cards for the older grandchild. The card I selected is a large foldout: You’re Strong (I have to admit I do not know the name of the character on this page), Amazing (Spiderman), and Brave (Thor), It’s clear you’re one of the Good Guys. (Actually, you’re one of the Best Guys!)(with Captain America). I crossed out the “one of” as he is the best! This card is a bargain at $3.69.
For a baby, Target gift cards are the best. The parents can get what they need. Babies are expensive, and a Target gift card to get diapers or wipes is greatly appreciated.
For the parents of the grandchildren, Grandma’s outing or dinner with the grandchildren gives them some alone time. If Grandma really wants to be generous, the dinner can be on Valentine’s Day for the visit with the grandchildren, and Grandma can contribute to the cost of the parents’ special Valentine’s day dinner. Otherwise, I know my children also always appreciate Target gift cards, or Starbucks gift cards for the older ones and Dunkin Donuts gift cards for the younger ones. Amazing how some people just love Starbucks and others favor Dunkin Donuts!
So Valentine’s Day 2013 shopping is complete with
Joy,
Mema
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