It is always hard to get grandparents holiday gifts. All we grandparents want is time with grandchildren. In that vein, now that COVID is waning, here are ideas for being together or remembering that to grandparents, something that reminds them of the joy is the best gift. The majority of gifts listed are not expensive intentionally. We grandparents do not want you to spend a lot of money on us. Just having grandchildren to love is a gift in and of itself.
A PHOTOGRAPH IN A FRAME OR A SHUTTERFLY PHOTO BOOK
Yes, these gifts are on this Grandma’s list each year. We grandparents love getting family or grandchildren photographs, and getting them in a frame we can immediately put out is the best.
ROUND TRIP AIRLINE OR TRAIN TICKETS OR COUPON FOR PICKUP AND DELIVERY
Local grandparents have the best in person time, and facilitating that time is a great gift for grandparents. . . and great-grandparents. Pick up and delivery coupons are a personal gift that keeps giving, whether it is to deliver the grandchildren for an afternoon or overnight, or bring the grandparents or great grandparents to the grandchildren, or arranging an outing with the grandchildren. When grandchildren can drive, having them chauffer the grandparents is a dual gift, time with the grandchildren and helping the grandparents with tasks and shopping.
Long distance grandparents may or may not be able to afford train or airline tickets on their own, but holiday travel is challenging financially and emotionally taxing. Going to visit the grandparents or great grandparents for a holiday visit, short please, is the platinum gift, but bring the grandparents or great grandparents to you is still a gold gift.
OTHER PRICELESS GIFTS OF TIME
Apps and Uber and Time
As a mechanically challenged grandma, I can relate to other grandparents like me. A parent of a grandchild or a capable grandchild giving guaranteed hours for a holiday gift means that this Grandma will not feel so guilty asking how to do something for the third or thirteen time. And, we won’t feel guilty saying it is beyond me at the moment and please do it for me. Grandma gets help and the bonus of some alone quality time with the parent of the grandchild or grandchild. Yes, we still love the parents of our grandchildren, even though our attention may be focused elsewhere.
If there is a ten year old or older grandchild, hours from him or her can even be a better bonus. They know Instagram, Twitter, and Bitmoji and can install those on our I Phone and I Pad. Guaranteed hours as an electronics assistant as a holiday gift from them is pure gold, as are the golden hours spent with them.
Did I forget prescheduled Face Time as a gift, whether daily, biweekly or weekly? Everyone is so busy that a set Sunday evening Face Time visit is a gift that will be appreciated with great joy. Or inclusion in a daily instagram video group of a grandchild? Our cousin posts Instagram videos of her son daily during a meal when he is in the high chair, most of the time tasting a new food for the first time. I love watching his expressions. These are priceless. I look forward to opening my Instagram (installed by my grandson, of course) every day. Yes, there is a privacy group setting so it is not the world seeing these videos, only those people our cousin chooses.
PERSONALIZED ITEMS
This Grandma discovered the website, Personal Creations, several years ago. This year, a favorite item, already sold out in one color, is their “We Became Grandparents Throw Pillow.”
If this is sold out, try other personalized grandparent items. If the timing does not allow for Christmas delivery, considering bookmarking this site for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
MISCELLANEOUS STOCKING STUFFERS OR INEXPENSIVE APPRECIATED ITEMS
Soup Socks
Shopping in a beautiful gourmet shop in Tucson, I came upon “Regency Soup Socks.” It is a packet of three fine mesh bags. The store owner said they are wonderful, so I bought a packet. I learned that you put the ingredients, for example for chicken soup, in the mesh bag (which really stretches and can hold everything) and then into the liquid you use as the soup base. There is so much less labor, less skimming and cleaning. You remove the bag and have beautiful clear broth. I have experimented and put the whole chicken in one bag, the vegetables that I will discard in another bag, and the vegetables I want in the soup, into the liquid. This was the easiest yet. What was discarded was completely contained. Easy cleanup using these bags too.
Grandma would appreciate two packages too. It is amazing how wonderful they are. Buy at Amazon.
Cleanup Socks to wear to wash floors
This Grandma knows that cleanup socks to wear to wash floors does not seem like a holiday gift, however, when this Grandma learned about them from a dear friend, I immediately purchased them and love them. We grandmas hate chores at this point in our lives. You wear the socks moistened with water (I add a bit of vinegar) and walk around the room and wash the floor. There are four pairs in a package. An item that everyone who hates chores will love, and it makes the chores easier on grandparents. I bet you buy them for yourselves. Buy at Amazon.
CAR SEAT OPENER
This Grandma finally broke down and purchased one of these for myself after my thumb became black and blue opening my four year old grandson’s carseat this week. When I looked on Amazon, I saw that the description even included for grandparents! UnbuckleMe Car Seat Buckle Release Tool – As Seen on Shark Tank – Makes it Easy to Unbuckle a Child’s Car Seat – Easy Tool for Parents, Grandparents & Older Children. Your grandparent will love this gift too. Buy at Amazon.
BUZZFEED LISTED PRODUCTS FOR PARENTS THAT WILL MAKE GRANDPARENTS LIVES EASIER TOO
This Grandma has become a Buzzfeed fan. I first saw the car seat opener in a Buzzfeed article. When you look at “36 Toddler Products That’ll Make You Think, “Wow, I Could Really Use This In My Life.”
You will see so many products that would be useful for grandparents to also have in their home. I agree with the title, and many of the items are not just for toddlers. Consider purchasing a few of more of these products for the grandparents’ house as a holiday gift. If grandparents can use an item for a grandchild when visiting it is a valued present for the grandparent.
These are the products I definitely want to have at grandma’s house (and already own some of them), but would not mind having all of them. Not only will grandparents appreciate these products for their house, you will be happy they have them when the grandchildren visit.
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer, Digital Infrared Thermometer for Adults and Kids, Touchless Baby Thermometer, 3 Ultra-Sensitive Sensors, Large LED Digits, Quiet Vibration Feedback, Non Contact. Buy at Amazon.
Band-Aid Brand First Aid Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash 6 Ounce (Pack of 2). Buy at Amazon.
BUG BITE THING Suction Tool, Poison Remover – Bug Bites and Bee/Wasp Stings, Natural Insect Bite Relief, Chemical Free – White/Single. I have this and recently used it on my sixteen year old granddaughter. Buy at Amazon.
iLove 2 Step Stool for Kids and Toddlers, Bathroom and Toilet Stool for Potty Training, Slip-Resistant Soft Grips, Kitchen Helper Stool with Handles, Dual Height – Gray (1 Pack). Buy at Amazon.
Beautiful Placemats for Kids – Set of 4 Educational Non Slip Placemats are Easy to Clean – Motivate Kids to Learn While They Eat. Buy at Amazon.
Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Hair Brush for Adults & Kids Hair – Detangler Brush for Natural, Curly, Straight, Wet or Dry Hair – Hairbrush for Men & Women – 1 Pack – Turquoise. Buy at Amazon.
Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover – Chlorine, Bleach and Toxin-Free Stain Remover – Stain Remover for Clothes – Fabric Stain Remover Removes Oil, Paint, Blood and Pet Stains – pack of 3. Buy at Amazon. Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover – Chlorine, Bleach and Toxin-Free Stain Remover – Stain Remover for Clothes – Fabric Stain Remover Removes Oil, Paint, Blood and Pet Stains – pack of 3. Buy at Amazon.
Munchkin Snack Catcher, 2 Pack, Blue/Green. Buy at Amazon.
Contigo Spill-Proof Kids Tritan Straw Tumbler, 14 Oz. Buy at Amazon.
SAVOYCHEF Sandwich Cutter and Sealer – Decruster Sandwich Maker – Cut and Seal – Great for Lunchbox and Bento Box – Boys and Girls Kids Lunch – Sandwich Cutters for Kids. Buy at Amazon.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Joy,
Mema
Comments