Grandparent Gifting
The grandparent/grandchild relationship is so special that I feel pressure when thinking of what to give grandparents, and what they should give to our kids. To help, I've made a list of gift ideas!
We’re in the thick of holiday gifting season! Gifts to teachers, gifts to friends, gifts to kids, gifts to extended family, and gifts to my husband are on my mind all the time right now – probably because of advertising, and because I want to buy things before any shipping delays can affect getting gifts by December 25th. Year after year, grandparent gifting always takes a lot of time and care. Both figuring out what to give to my kids’ grandparents, and then figuring out what to say when they ask what my kids want for the holidays, takes extra time and effort. I think it’s because I feel pressure to make these grandparent gifts meaningful and lasting because the grandparent/grandchild relationship is very special.
I have three kids ages 5, 8, and 10, and that means I’ve had a lot of holiday seasons and birthdays where I’ve had to think about great options for grandparent gifting. As I sit down this season to make a plan for what to give my kids’ grandparents, and what to say when they ask what to get my kids, I realize that there are some items that have been better at being meaningful and lasting than others. To help many of us, I decided to organize those gift ideas in a list to refer to now and in future gifting situations - see below (click the words in purple for a link to an example of each item)!😊
Gifts That Are Lasting and Meaningful
GIVING TO GRANDPARENTS
After years of giving gifts to my parents and my in-laws, the gifts they appreciate the most evoke memories of time spent with their grandchildren, ones that are sweet and represent their grandchildren’s personalities, and/or ones that promise future memories together.
Calendar with Grandchildren’s Artwork or Photos
Nicer Framed Photo of Shared Adventure with their Grandchildren
Digital Photo Frame Loaded with Pictures of Grandchildren that Scrolls through Photos and can be Updated During the Year
Photo Frame Ornaments with Grandchildren’s Pictures for their Christmas Tree
Homemade Ornaments by the Grandchildren
Photo Album (or digital photo printed album) of the Year’s Adventures with their Grandchildren
Airline Miles to Visit their Grandchildren
Letters from their Grandchildren about how much they love spending time together
Coupon Books the Grandchildren put together that offer different memory-making activities together (pair a coupon with a baking kit to bake together, a board game to play together, a puzzle to put together, tickets to a museum or a play, etc.)
GIFTS FROM GRANDPARENTS
Something I have experienced is that gifts from grandparents to grandchildren that are “gifts that keep on giving” throughout the year are valued and helpful. Grandparents like giving these gifts because they remind the grandchildren of their grandparents during the many times they use it. As a mom, I love these kinds of timeless gifts because they keep my kids busy throughout the year – a benefit to them and to me!
Activity Subscription Boxes
This is a great gift option for all! The boxes arrive monthly (or whatever interval of time they choose) and that means a new craft or activity for your kids to enjoy and think of their grandparents multiple times a year!
Ages 1-2:
Ages 2-4:
Ages 5-8
Ages 8-11
Timeless Toys
These ideas are toys that are classics, provide hours of open play, and many are bigger gifts that can be a special thing for grandparents to give!
Train set - Brio for younger kids (ages 2-6), Lionel for older (ages 4-8)
Painting Easel and paints - especially great for toddlers for painting outside
Activity Gifts
These are usually bigger gifts that can be used again and again which makes them practical and special! *Remember to ask for a helmet to use with a lot of these gifts!
Bike
Skateboard
Ride on toys (little kids cars they pedal or use feet to power, or get pushed in)
Memberships
If you live near play spaces you know they are great for entertaining kids and getting wiggles out! They can also provide an activity for grandparents and grandchildren to do together.
SkyZone trampoline park
Dave & Busters gift cards
A local play space
A local kids museum
A local YMCA
A local art and/or music studio
Magazine Subscription
My kids love getting magazines every month (or week), and they always think of their grandparents when these periodicals arrive!
Hope these lists give you ideas of gifts to send to your kids’ grandparents that they will cherish, and ideas for gifts from grandparents that can provide hours of engagement and memories – something that will help us all!
❤️, Amanda, your Type A Mom friend
Great post!