Gifts to Honor Grandparents

Psst… Grandparent’s Day is Sept 12^th. I know what you are thinking: is that even an official holiday? Don’t worry.  Frequently, holidays sneak up on us, ensuring our intentions don’t translate into reality… much less the kind all wrapped with a bow.  Complicating matters, most grandparents prefer gifts not bought in the department store.

Dennis Rainey offers help in his unique book,  A Tribute and a Promise:  How Honoring Your Parents will Bring a Blessing to Your Life.  Rainey acknowledges sometimes we have rather complex relationships with our parents and grandparents. Nevertheless, conveying what is good and honorable in people actually helps heal the wounds that have gathered over time.

With Grandparent’s Day right around the corner, how about a little inspiration to avoid the department store, give them something they can really cherish, and maybe help bring all of us just a tad closer together.

The Tribute

Write and frame a tribute telling the person what you appreciate about them or learned from them.  If you want this to be a family gift, but doubt whether your family would want to participate, don’t give up. Simply gather others’ memories and incorporate them in something like this:

To the parents of my husband,

As I watch my own son grow, I am increasingly grateful to you. My life is what it is because of the child you brought into this world. As we look forward with anticipation to the life ahead for our son, Paul spent some time glimpsing backwards into his childhood.

“I remember weekends on the boat in the summer especially the times we would sail to Caseville… getting all dressed up and going to plays… what about the time I wrecked your car, or for that matter what about the time I wrecked my car?... fudge from Mackinaw… turkey from the Turkey Roost… Coney dogs from Highland park… my high school graduation party… moving to a new house – five times…”

Looking for a little something lighter? How about a young child’s framed perspective on a grandparent’s life:

Our grandmother’s name is Nena. She is 13 years old. Her favorite color is purple. She works at a doctor’s office and watches t.v. all day. She takes us places in her grey car. No, it’s red. I think that her favorite song is “One, Two, Three Like a Bird I Sing.” If we could make a special meal for her, it would be cookies. We love our Nena!

The Memory Jar

Write the whole family’s memories on slips of paper. Stick them inside a jar, creatively decorate it, and you have a gift that can be opened again and again. This one is guaranteed to bring tears and/or laughter, depending on your crew. Just don’t forget to identify the writer of each memory.  Keep adding to it if you like…  60 new memories make a great 60^th birthday present!

The Ball

Use a glass ornament (or other sphere) and paper mache strips to it. (Don’t have paper mache?  Glue mixed with water will work just as well.) Write memories or statements of gratitude about your loved one. You can opt for a theme or describe an event, say a vacation that you shared together. Or simply, highlight the person you’re honoring by using words or phrases to describe them

The Story

Gather your photos and use some captions to communicate your love for a person or some part of your journey together. A photo journal offers you an easy way to tell a story with both words and pictures. Need an even easier option?  Don’t spend hours covered searching for the perfect color construction paper… iPhoto or Shutterfly will do the work for you! 

If you don't plan to write this year,  your child's handprint or footprint still says plenty. For some inspiration on gifts to make at home, check out the photos at the top of this article.

And for those of you whose reality did not quite match your intentions this holiday, a new tie is still not your only option. Here are a few ideas that say time with you matters, even if you just don’t have the time to send it yourself.

Grandparent Talk

This fun family-bonding game will work for kids as young as four and grandparents as old as... well, there’s no upper limit. The way it works is simple.  The cards ask questions, like "Grandpa, what kind of pets did you have?" Play around the table, or in the car and kids can learn more about their own family history.

Picture Frame

If you are into cool frames and don’t think Wal-Mart offers the right kind of variety, make your own – with charms and various other decorations.

Baking Set 

To be used by grandmothers and their grandkids to make those special cookies on rainy days!

Grandparent Keepsake Box

To keep little treasures in, available in many varieties.  Better yet, make your own design, or convert your child’s artwork into a digital file to use on the box!