Kids gifts to Grandparents

Coco51
Well said

You asked the question and got our answers. We are not sad rocking chair grannies. Just ones who love and appreciate the effort that goes into little hands creating presents. The idea of giving scarves with dropped stitches is puerile.

Each to their own, but I love the art or craftwork I receive. Over lockdown on FaceTime it was nice to bring out a drawing they’d sent and chat about it. With my parents I think it was a generation thing. They insisted that their GC should make them something each Christmas and they expected the GC to send a well written thank you letter for gifts that they’d sent to them. They felt this was encouraging good values, but as GC’s homemade items and letters weren’t always well received, the disapproval often made it a negative experience. Consequently I won’t be requesting presents homemade or otherwise, and if I receive anything at any time I’ll express positivity and encouragement.

This is why people post here once and never again.
What is odd is that grown up women seem unable to fathom the concept that not everyone is like them.

Why don't some of you lay off?

I did say each to their own.

CleoPanda

@GrammyGrammy
Your final sentence is absolutely horrible and unacceptable. You’re projecting your bitterness onto a fellow member in a shockingly rude manner.
The OP has a right to her unsentimental thoughts as much as many of you have a right to your overly sentimental feelings.
Calling names, and describing people as “sad” simply because they think differently is also nasty and childish.
You can disagree without pathetic insults surely?

I didn't call anyone "sad" or name call. You may have confused my post with another?
You accuse me of projecting and having 'overly sentimental feelings'. I am not and I do not.
No insults at all from me.

My grandchildren are 17, 15, 15, 12. The handmade gifts stopped coming ages ago.
When my son was at Primary school he rushed home one day and came straight into my office to present me with a carved wooden object. I said "Oh thankyou Darling it's lovely(wondering what on earth it was) . He burst into tears and said "You don't know what it is". Inwardly I cursed his teacher, some warning would have been appreciated. I said "I love it whatever it is", "What is it?" More tears, "It's a totem pole of course". "Well, it's the most beautiful totem pole I have ever seen" I say, playing for time. " How can it be when you don't know what it is?" I think we resorted to chocolate biscuits and a glass of milk before exploring the rest of his day.
A word to teachers who send slips of paper home on a daily basis, although I guess a text would do the job these days, please a quick warning that something will be coming home that we need to identify and some idea of what that something actually is,

You did not say how old your grandchildren are, and to me that makes all the world of difference.

Wonky handmade gifts are fine if they are made and given by children at kindergarten. They are developing hand-eye co-ordination and having fun making things.

If, however, 10 - 11 year old children are still giving wonky handmade gifts, I agree with you that these are annoying. By age 10 they should be able to make something that looks good and does whatever it is supposed to. If they are still drawing houses with smoke blowing each way out of the chimneys or people with four fingers and no nose, some teacher is slipping up badly.

Older children need to to be taught the value of money - buying presents is one way of learning this.

Yes, it is money their parents have earned, but whether they gave it to the children, or the children earned it washing up, or mowing the lawn, is not my concern when I receive a gift that a child spent time shopping for and paid for with her pocket money.

And yes, just because they are our grand-children or great-grand-children does not mean we can't wish for something specific for Christmas or birthdays.

So no, I do not think you are being unreasonable unless we are talking about two year olds.

I agree with you. I'm a minimalist and always hated my own children expecting me to display their artwork etc.
I've just a couple of meaningful offerings I kept from grandchildren and children.

I love being given handmade gifts from children. They're made with love, not bought as a 'that's all I can afford, or can find' present. I put them on show for a while to show they are treasured, and then pack them away or bin them, which depends on the item. We can't keep everything, but we know that they love seeing that we've kept some of their treasures whenever they resurface.

I love my handmade gifts but not all are given a permanent place within my home as they are needed by the fairies to brighten their homes . The joy it gives the children years later just to know you treasured what they made is priceless. I have a box full that we often look through and lots on display around the house and the memories they evoke are lovely to chatter about now they are older. Christmas decorations made over the years are even bought out. Even after my own Mum passed many years ago now, treasured items she kept on display in her china cabinet were reclaimed by each grandchild child, I even found a picture I drew when I was 4 that she had treasured unknown to me for over 50 years. Great source of comfort to us all.

I couldn’t feel more differently! I love the eccentric stuff, much more than any shop bought gift. If they are over 18, maybe less interesting ?

It made me feel sad that you called something your grandchild produced 'rubbish'. Obviously grandparents can't keep everything they the little ones hand make, but I am always appreciative of everything they draw or make, and keep it for a while - and keep the best for ever. I put little drawings and cards in my books, and then when I re-read them the memory drops out. I also name, date and age these things so I know. Some people would love to be a grandparent and are never blessed.

Wow !! Not only odd but a bit ungracious ! I absolutely love the handmade stuff I get from my grandchildren just as I treasured it from my own children !!!!

I think the OP is having a joke at our expense.

Btw MissAdventure You’re right, we are all entitled to our opinions and views, I do find yours a little “hard faced” the OP asked a question and we all honestly answered !! For most of us these are “treasures” to be treasured and accepted with grace and live, yes of course they can discreetly placed in the bin after a period of time and maybe just a few special items kept. One can be minimalist but still really appreciated the effort ! My friends in Canada always send home made gifts at Christmas, the young ones send their mad wonky gifts and the adults actually make beautiful gifts ranging from home made biscuits nicely presented, Christmas cakes and on one occasion a beautiful hand made bed quilt ! Not “rubbish” nothing any one makes with love should ever be described as “rubbish”

I love getting things from my grandchildren. They are made and given with love. There are so many grandparents who would give anything to have this sort of contact. The lego models I keep for a while and then give back to be re-used! The joy they find in giving can’t be measured. Make the most of it.

It's fine if you find me "hard faced" cossy.
I'm content to hope that I've never put a new poster off from using the site (to my knowledge, at least)
People do tend to start getting a bit carried away with their opinions sometimes, including me, no doubt!

My grandchildren are all beyond the handmade gift stage now. I moved house recently. The most special things I hung on to were handmade presents from years ago. If the house burnt down, those are the things I’d rescue!

Have 7 GC,fasten pictures on fridge,then after a time I put them in the back of their special photo album—— I taken & have developed photos so have beautiful albums for each child
& store pictures,cards etc at the back,when we pass on they will get their album.In the mean time they periodically look at their albums especially if they need a diversion when upset,all kids love pictures of themselves.

You know what, imagine those people who didn't have kids or just don't have grandkids but want them dearly. Why make a post about not wanting what your grandchildren give you with love. You sound like my MIL who luckily we are estranged from so she doesnt see all her kids and grandkids out of choice BTW. Cherish every thing about them all too soon its gone.

Imagine those people who don't have a mother in law but would love one..

Lol, last summer I chucked out all the shit my kids had made for my Mum, we did keep any letters, cards and drawings.
I’ve started a box for things my granddaughters make me but I throw loads out…especially those plaster of Paris things that come in a kit that the kids splodge paint on.
I don’t get Christmas or birthday cards from them now because parents have split up and neither of them think they need to bother, but we do lots of colouring in together ?

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I quite like the homemade stuff but it does depend on the amount of effort that has gone into it and the age of the child. A quickly scribbled card by a boy of 12 v a wonky work of art slaved over by a 5 year old would give me very different amounts of appreciation.
Incidentally, I don't think you or Miss Adventure are odd, just different from those who love the things that are homemade by the DGC's.

I have some homemade stuff.
A picture that's framed and varnished that my daughter did when she was almost 4.

I just don't see the need to go into raptures over every bit of scribble.

Yes you are odd.
I've kept every wonky, unidentifiable, misspelt gift ever given to me by my own children and grandchildren. Knowing how much love and effort they put into them I could never dispose of them. The pincushion my eldest son made me when he was 7 for Mother's Day, I have used every day since. A small misshapen pottery vase in very gaudy colours sits on a shelf in our diner with Bluebells in it, made by my youngest son at nursery. Grandchildren's drawings and little loving messages are pinned to the 'fridge. I too have a storage box and swap the displayed items every now and then. They are delighted to see something they made many years ago being displayed and treasured. I have also kept every card they have given me, I have crates full of them. No doubt they will dispose of them after I'm gone, but at least they will know how much they meant to me.