Do you ever feel pressured to give your grandbabies the perfect gift? Yes, we try not to spoil them too much and to keep gifts at a minimum (after all, it isn’t about the item, but rather the time spent together and memories made!), but when it comes to birthdays and holidays, we want to get them something that they will love and use.
What is the elusive perfect gift?
Before we dig into what you should give (I did a lot of digging and research!), let’s look at some of the biggest gifting mistakes we all make:
Common gift-giving mistakes
1. Choosing age-inappropriate gifts
Children’s interests change rapidly as they grow, so it is wise to keep tabs on what your grands are currently interested in. While your grandson may have once adored trains, he may have moved onto Legos or monster trucks and may no longer appreciate a motorized Thomas the Train. (This real-life example was a hard pill for this grandma to swallow!)
2. Ignoring the child’s interests
Building on the last example, you may want your grandson to still play with trains, but you shouldn’t force it on him (though you really, really want to). It’s easy to give a gift that we, as adults, think a child should have, but it’s crucial to consider the child’s actual interests.
3. Over-gifting
Now that you have come to terms with your grandson liking monster trucks, you may want to buy every single one. Don’t do it, Grandma! We naturally want to shower our grandchildren with gifts, but too many can be overwhelming and lead to less appreciation for each gift.
4. Choosing trendy gifts over long-lasting ones
I don’t have a Thomas the Train example for this one, so I will cut to the chase: While buying the latest hot toy or gadget is tempting, these trends often fade quickly. (That’s right: You do NOT have to buy your grand a dangerous hoverboard!)
5. Ignoring parents’ rules or wishes
Some parents may have rules about screen time, types of toys, or even dietary restrictions for snacks, so be sure to abide by their wishes. Yes, I agree that screentime and sugar in moderation aren’t going to hurt, but pushing it can hurt your relationship with your grandkids’ parents.
6. Choosing gifts that are too complicated
For young children especially, gifts that are overly complicated may lead to frustration rather than enjoyment, so make sure to select age-appropriate gifts that match the child’s skill level and abilities.
7. Skipping the presentation
Kids often enjoy the act of unwrapping a present just as much as the gift itself! A little extra time spent on wrapping and presentation can make the gift-giving experience more fun and exciting for grandkids, young and old(er).
8. Overlooking safety precautions
Always check the safety guidelines and age recommendations before giving a gift to a child, as some toys or gifts may have small parts, sharp edges, and/or require adult supervision.
9. Choosing gifts that require a lot of setup or maintenance
If you don’t want your grandkids’ parents to be annoyed or frustrated with you, forgo gifts that require extra setup or maintenance. (Trust me on this one!)
10. Giving unsolicited advice or lessons as gifts
While your intentions might be good, gifts like self-help books or instructional DVDs may not be appreciated by teenagers or young adults if they didn’t ask for them.
11. Ignoring your grandchild’s personal space
Large gifts might seem exciting, but for families living in smaller spaces, it might create a problem. Consider the size of the gift and whether it’s practical for your grandchild’s living situation.
12. Forgoing gift receipts
Even with the best intentions, not every gift will be a hit. Including a gift receipt allows the parents or your grandchild to exchange the gift if it’s not suitable, which can be particularly helpful for clothing or the like.
Gift-giving alternatives
Now that we have established what not to do, let’s go over a few alternatives that are sure to please both your grandkids and their parents!
1. Experience gifts
Instead of material gifts, consider gifts like tickets to a play, concert, movie, or a membership to a local museum or zoo. Experience gifts are one of my go-to’s and are often the gifts that receive the best feedback from both my grands and their parents.
2. Educational gifts
Books, science kits, and art supplies not only make great gifts but also encourage learning. Talk about a win/win!
3. Handmade gifts
A homemade gift like a knitted scarf, a piece of jewelry, or a special batch of cookies can be incredibly meaningful.
4. Skills and lessons
Paying for music lessons, coding classes, or sports equipment can help support your grandchild’s talents and hobbies while helping their parents at the same time.
Thoughtful, Age-Appropriate Gifts
Now that we have discussed what not to buy, here are my picks for the best gifts by age group:
Babies (<1)
Soft, plush toys, baby clothes, or a beautiful baby blanket are good choices. If you opt for a book, consider one with simple images for reading to them or musical toys for auditory development.
Toddlers (1 to 3)
Think about educational toys that develop motor skills, like blocks or interactive toys. Picture books are also a great idea at this age!
Preschoolers (3 to 5)
Arts and crafts sets, simple board games, and imaginative play toys (like play kitchen sets) are perfect for this age group.
School-age (5 to 12)
Your grandkids will have their own interests and opinions over these formative years, so lean into those! If they love dinosaurs, a dinosaur model kit might be perfect. If they love reading, a series of books could be ideal. If they love… well, you get the idea.
Teenagers (13+)
This is a tricky age for gifting, so when in doubt, gift cards to their favorite stores can be a safe bet. Also, consider their hobbies, like music (concert tickets or apparel), photography (camera equipment), or writing (stationery).
Conclusion
Always remember that the best gifts come from the heart and show that you know and appreciate the recipient’s unique personality and interests. While I doubt you, my fellow Devoted Grandma, needed it, I hope that you enjoyed reading my take on gift-giving mistakes and alternatives. As always, let’s talk again soon!