How to Buy Or Make A Gift For Your Grandmother

Buying a gift for grandma is different than buying gifts for others on your list because generally, grandmas are not looking for the latest and greatest electronics, music or DVDs. Learn how to buy (or make) a perfect gift for grandma here!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Creativity
• An idea of grandma's interests
• A little cash

1. Think about what grandma likes to do. Garden? Organize photo albums? Play with her grandchildren? These are starting points for your gift brainstorming.

2. Remember that grandmas generally love handmade items. Magnets, Christmas ornaments, wreaths, homemade jewelry boxes, etc. Consider making something for grandma that is a reflection of her hobbies.

3. Consider gathering supplies for grandma’s favorite activity and packaging them together as a gift. For example, if grandma likes to garden, make up a gardening gift starting with a multi-pocket tote filled with with a small shovel, a hand rake, some Miracle Grow, small pruners and perhaps a new pot for a plant.

4. Make a photo gift. Grandmas love pictures of family and friends. Websites like www.snapfish.com and www.shutterfly.com allow you to make gift items like coffee mugs, calendars, photo books, purse size brag books, t-shirts and more all customized with whatever photo you choose. Walgreens also offers a similar service.

5. Offer grandma the gift of your time. Give grandma a coupon for an entire day with you – she can set the itinerary. Perhaps shopping in the morning, lunch at a favorite deli and a movie in the afternoon. Grandmas love spending time with their families.

6. Does grandma like to look out a favorite window? Consider buying a bird bath, birdhouse or bird feeder so she can watch the birds they attract. Or get a wind chime or other outdoor decoration she can see from inside the house.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't need to spend a lot of money. Especially with grandparents, it is the thought that counts. Grandparents put far more value on the thought and time you put into the gift rather than the money.
• If you are purchasing a gift for grandma, be mindful of space considerations - does she have little space in her room at the nursing home for oversized items? Does her home have little wall space for art or other decorations?

[JuliaW]

on 2/4/2009 Great gift ideas for Grandma's, thanks! 5*

[Hode]

on 2/4/2009 I love this article! Grandmas are very unassuming and can get left out of the gift giving too often. Great ideas. Since I write, I send a little note to my great grandmother every week and mail it to her since she is not online. It gives her something to look forward to. Thanks.