How to Make Unique Gifts

Once again spring approaches and gift giving begins again. As I have said so many times before, my Mom doesn't need anything! In fact the woman could hold a garage sale of purely useless gifts she has received! And when it comes to my dad...he's just glad to have the family together. So, when it is time for gifts my youngest son and I usually brainstorm to come up with something truly unique. Since he is a naturally giving child, he likes to "share" his ideas with others, thus more ideas for Grandma and Grandpa!

COUPON BOOKLET....yes, I know you have heard of this one before but instead of creating this on the computer have your child hand write the coupons. Let him/her even choose the coupons. My son came up with some I'd never have thought of, such as, "Good for a story...read by me". "Good for LOTS of hugs and kisses!", and hows this one...."Good for a movie and popcorn...at your house!" Sounds simple but my Mom will love it....especially since their imaginative Grandson did it all by himself!

NEWSPAPER....this one may need some help from Mom or Dad but the outcome is worth it! Using the word processor on your computer, or perhaps some publishing software you might already have, create a newspaper outlining Grandma and Grandpa as the Stars of the paper! If Grandma or Grandpa are golfers, you could tell about their best scores...a hole in one...or maybe that they are teaching their grandson to golf! Be sure to get quotes from family members about their hobbies and activities. This one can prove to be priceless especially if you have access to a scanner and can add photos to your "newspaper".

A MEMORY BOOK....this one is limited only by how much cost you would like to invest in it. The most basic will only be the expense of color copying, but you can go all out and have it professionally bound if you so desire! Assemble as many photos of Grandma and Grandpa as you can find, from theor childhood up to the present time. Place them carefully on typing paper and have your child hand letter captions for each photo in pencil (you will later trace over his/her printing in Sharpie). Have each page color copied and assemble into a book! Tie with ribbon and you have a special book Grandma and Grandpa can share time and time again with their Grandkids!

CALL ME ......"here's my number!"Purchase a handful of prepaid phone cards!....these can be adapted to fit any budget, amount of minutes or dollar wise. Have your child create a card with a double back, equipped with slits on the card to slide the phone cards into...present it with a hug and kiss and Grandma or Grandpa will eagerly put it to use, phoning their Grandkids to keep up on the latest news! This one made a big hit with my son as he insisted on writing out a "phone book" with everyone's phone numbers in it to give Grandma and Grandpa "just in case!" Stepping Stone....create a stepping stone with your child's handprint on it and don't forget the date! The complete kit can be purchased at Hobby Lobby for under $15 and oftentimes coupons are available as well. Keep your eyes out and you can create a priceless gift for mere pennies. And lastly.

SURPRISE! IT'S FLOWERS!!! Now, I know you are saying "I give them flowers throughout the year! Wait a minute! Maybe you do on Mother's Day, Father's Day or their birthday, but why not arrange for flowers to be delivered in a month or so or on the first of the next month! Prepay the flowers and write on the card something like "It doesn't have to be Mother's Day to tell you I'm glad you're my Grandpa/Grandma!" And sit back and watch them be surprised all over again as the flowers come when they aren't expecting them! If you're anything like me, you will probably forget too, and ALL of you will be surprised!

Well, there you go, a few more ideas to make gift giving special for Grandma and Grandpa! Who said holidays have to mean "the same old gifts"! Enjoy!