By Carol Hutcheson

It’s that time of year again-time to decide what to give the grandkids for Christmas. Now I know some people who start planning for the next Christmas the day after the current Christmas. I am not one of these people.

The heat is on after Halloween

I start to feel the heat once Halloween has passed. It’s then I become serious in deciding what to give each of my eighteen grandchildren. This article is for people like me.

Gifts that connect generations

I came to the realization that grandparents do not need give expensive gifts or feel obligated to purchase the latest fad. The best thing grandparents can do is give gifts which build their relationship with the grandkids or which connect generations. I try to give gifts that help grandkids know about their family roots, that build their talents, skills or imagination, or that provide opportunities for me to do something with the kids.

Write your own children’s books
This year I am going to write and illustrate a couple of children’s books (not more than 12 pages each) which tell (in a child’s vocabulary) about the experiences of some of their ancestors. My dad was lost in a cave as a young boy and my husband’s father was caught in a fire in a logging camp. Both stories need to be preserved and shared with the younger generation and would provide really good reading. I am sure you have family stories which should and could be passed on in a creative way to your descendants.

Write a book about your grandchild

Still in the writing mode? How about a book about the grandchild himself? You could describe the things that you love most about the child. You could point the talents that the child has like dancing, or soccer, or painting, or how sweet she is in helping people with disabilities. Be sure to say how much you love her and how special she is in your life. If you are not an illustrator, you could include photographs you’ve taken as the basis for your storybook.

Write about how things have changed

Another idea is to make up a book about how things have changed from when you were growing up. Consider cars then and now, clothes then and now, school then and now, pastimes then and now, etc. Think how this book would open the door for sharing and understanding.

Help develop their hobbies

Helping grandchildren develop hobbies is another idea for Christmas giving. You could add to a child’s collection of marbles, rocks, seashells, books, and yes, even spiders! You could provide new equipment to help the budding astronomer, gardener, or cake decorator. I’ve seen kids play for hours with a horseshoe shaped magnet and some nails. A small magnifying glass opens a new world to the young investigator, and a plastic eye dropper is just what is needed for experiments. A package of construction paper, glue, and a pair of scissors will be appreciated for a long time. In other words, the more flexible and instructional the gift, the better.

Why not an outrageous gift?

How about a “dress up box” where you place fun, yes even outrageous items of clothing such as gloves, jewelry, hats, shoes, uniforms, and of course, a mirror. The more we can get the kids away from the TV and video games and help them develop their own imaginations, the more creative and healthy the children will be.

“Big kid” stuff

If the grandchildren are older, then consider “big kid” stuff that would be helpful in their rooms such as a clock, a desk, a book case, and of course, favorite books. My husband plans to give our oldest grandson some used computer components to help him build his own computer.

Money is always a good idea.

Money placed in a savings account for use when the grandchild is an adult is always a good idea, especially if you specify how the money is to be used. A money tree made from dollar bills is always a hit.
Something to remember you by

I still have a piece of handiwork given me by my grandmother. She gave it to me so I would have something to remember her by. What a grand idea to give a significant keepsake or memento to the grandchildren with an explanation of why it is important to you and why you want them to have it.

A day out together

One last thought is to buy tickets for you and the grandkids for a day out together. Consider admissions to the museum or zoo, to a play, or to a local sports event. The time allotted and the treats are part of the gift.

Gifts that strengthen relationships

None of these gifts mentioned above would break the bank and would strengthen the relationships between you and your grandchildren. Such gifts are statements that you are truly thinking of the grandchild and giving them something which has value beyond the current toy fad. It’s a gift that will keep saying “Merry Christmas” and “I love you.” <<
Carol Hutcheson is a retired high school English teacher. She claims her greatest accomplishment lies in rearing six successful children and being grandma to eighteen grandchildren. Her partner in that enterprise is her husband, Don, to whom she has been married forty-two years. She can be reached at Carol@LetLifeIn.com