OT_ Christmas Ideas. please!

[starn...@earthlink.net]

Okay, here's the deal. I have limited funds this Christmas, and six grandchildren, ranging in age from almost 8 to just a little over 4. I don't want to spend money buying them toys they don't need (and believe me they don't need more!) I love books, but they have tons of books, too. I want to make stuff for them but worry that they are already so jaded it won't be appreciated. I knit, sew, craft, etc.

I was thinking of making a photo book for each child, sort of their life story. I've done scrapbooks for them since the day they were born, but they dont get to look at them or handle them because the books stay at my house. Would that be a good idea?

I also thought about giving them a gift certificate, redeemable after Christmas for a special day with Gramma. Lunch, a movie, a trip to a museum or aquarium or something like that. One on one time. Plus, it would stretch out the spending over a longer period.

Any suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.

CA Sharon

[denise....@gmail.com]

What a Brilliant idea, Sharon. My 4 grandchildren (ages 12(twins)7 and 3) love looking at their photos in my albums here, and love spending days out with their grandparents. A voucher for a special treat would be magical and not something you can just buy from Toys R Us or whatever. Much more personal.

[mmi...@ascap.com]

Sharon you are on to something. I have 3 children ages 4, 12 & 15.

They love looking at photos and videos from when they were young. The gift certificate gives them something to look forward to after Christmas. They are always on gift overload, so something after will likely be more appreciated. But the photos- great idea.

Maria

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[dcsharon]

Most craft stores have 12x12 frames which are just the size of standard open stock scrabook paper (and if you can hit a 40% off sale, they are just a few dollars).

If you "theme" your photos, it's an easy way to display and then they can decorate the page. I've scanned the ecipe cards that my grandmother wrote and mounted them on the scrapbook pages to give as prizes at our annual family reunion craft raffle :-)

Or -- take photos on the day they spend with you and they can decorate the page.

(DC) Sharon

[Totosmom]

On Thursday, November 15, 2012 10:54:01 PM UTC-8, starn...@earthlink.net wrote:
> Okay, here's the deal. I have limited funds this Christmas, and six grandchildren, ranging in age from almost 8 to just a little over 4. I don't want to spend money buying them toys they don't need (and believe me they don't need more!) I love books, but they have tons of books, too. I want to make stuff for them but worry that they are already so jaded it won't be appreciated. I knit, sew, craft, etc. I was thinking of making a photo book for each child, sort of their life story. I've done scrapbooks for them since the day they were born, but they dont get to look at them or handle them because the books stay at my house. Would that be a good idea? I also thought about giving them a gift certificate, redeemable after Christmas for a special day with Gramma. Lunch, a movie, a trip to a museum or aquarium or something like that. One on one time. Plus, it would stretch out the spending over a longer period. Any suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated. CA Sharon

All good ideas. How about making each child an ornament? You can design them with a theme that the child enjoys, like animals, skating, baseball etc, then add their names to them. They will think of you every year they add it to their tree, and it could start a family tradition.

Bonnie

[bookworm]

I personally like the gift certificate for a 'DAY OUT WITH GRANDMA' to do anything they want to - maybe a movie and ice cream after, or a trip to the zoo with Pizza after - things like that. You can't put a price tag on time spent with your grandchildren and it would help them learn there is more to life than material things. They need to learn this before it's too late. How about a saving's bond to help with their higher education, when the time comes?

I know a lady who has started a porcelain doll collection for her granddaughters and every year she gives them another one. They are authentic with certificates so aren't cheap. They get enough toys and these dolls are keepsakes, especially to remember her when she isn't on this Earth anymore. The girls can display them when they get their own homes. She said they really like them so far.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. JW

[KJM]

OMG you guys rock, thank you for this thread. Austerity measures over here hitting hard, and was looking for inspiration for my nieces and nephews for Christmas, you have so inspired me with ideas, thank you.

[bookworm]

I make the the kids in my family an ornament every year and have done so the last 10 years. I usually attach them to another small gift. This is my collection contribution to them they can use when they move away from home. Their first Christmas tree should be well decorated by the time I finish! lol This way I know they are unique - not store bought and they are one of a kind no one else has. JW

[bookworm]

I should clarify my friend goes online and finds the dolls when they are on sale. Sometimes they are half price or closeout items and that's a bargain!

I've seen some of them and they are beautiful - some standing 18" tall. She has also purchased the stands for them at very reasonable prices and the doll covers with glass are very expensive so she got the idea to get some of the flower boquet bags from the floral dept. at the grocery store (they are triangular shaped and clear) to put over the dolls so they don't get dusty. Very clever, I think and the price was right! JW

[HD]

> Any suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> CA Sharon

If they are like mine, the kids may like one-on-one Grandma Dates - a movie night, game night, lunch at McDonalds, sleepover - that are individualized for their interests. It's that time that makes it special.
Here are a few ideas that are not too expensive that mine have loved and might work, depending on their interests. You could create "craft boxes" and include crayons, markers, glitter, glue, feathers, play-dough, so on from a dollar store. You could sew a purse / bag with some added bling for a grand-daughter (my aunt made one from a pair of jeans that is still loved). An "add a photo calendar" with photos of them in it (they're usually $1 at Michaels at this time of year). Make something with their names on it (cooking apron, pillowcase, shirt).
... Honestly, mine were thrilled when they each received a brownie mix and a cake mix; they were told to bring it to Grandma's for a sleepover where they could do whatever they wanted. :)

[starn...@earthlink.net]

I am so grateful for all the suggestions and comments! I really think I'm going to do the certificates for a special day with Gramma. On heavy letterstock maybe with glitter or stickers. And another gift I gave them last year that they loved was a holiday decorated jar from the dollar store, filled with a mix of rainbow and chocolate "goldfish" crackers. Any mix of snack crackers or pretzels would work. I like the "more is better" idea, but mostly they are small things that most people would think of as stocking stuffers...from Michaels, Joann's, Target, all have dollar spots...crayons, notebooks, funny sox. My Mom used to be the queen of things like that...we got bath sets, diaries, new Nancy Drew books, etc.

Thanks for all the ideas!!
CA Sharon

[bookworm]

I absolutely LOVE the $ stores. I have found more bargains and great things there than anylace else and it sure helps my strict budget. The idea of the jar filled with something is terrific for a neighbor's gift and very reasonable on the wallet! Thanks for the idea!! They would make great gifts for teachers from the kids, co-workers, just about anyone. JW

[Kittenmommy]

On Nov 16, 1:54 am, starns0...@earthlink.net wrote:

> I was thinking of making a photo book for each child, sort of their life story. I've done scrapbooks for them since the day they were born, but they dont get to look at them or handle them because the books stay at my house. Would that be a good idea?
>
> I also thought about giving them a gift certificate, redeemable after Christmas for a special day with Gramma. Lunch, a movie, a trip to a museum or aquarium or something like that. One on one time. Plus, it would stretch out the spending over a longer period.

I think those are both excellent ideas! :D

[Dawn Bushman]

I know I'm late in sending this, but I thought you might find something here.

http://parenting.leehansen.com/Printables/Coupons/index.html

Enjoy!

Dawn

[aliyad...@gmail.com]

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