Presents for grandchildren

No, Allsorts it’s difficult to buy presents for gour GC. I find that vouchers work well, depending on their interests. I have 4 lovely granddaughters, whose interests are variable. However, when they are 17 I buy them driving lessons! If they have school holidays, eg. skiing, I pay for that. Sometimes, they like a manicure/pedicure and I go with them and have coffee/lunch. Rather than leave money in my will, I like to see them benefit and enjoy my contribution.

Why not ask them what they would like?

Mine range from 15 to 31 and, unless there's a specific request or need, I find that vouchers are usually the most welcome gifts.

I send all my grown up grandkids some money Christmas and birthdays now …it’s a total waste buying presents unless they actually tell you what they want one granddaughter will tell me exactly what she’s after and even send me a link the rest seem to prefer to go shopping themselves

My youngest are 13 &16. They have had money for a few years.
They know what they want 😄

Mine get a small gift token. I used to spend more but they are all adults now and I have never ever got even a card.

My family had an agreement that presents stop at a certain age but to continue with greetings, which can be cards or WhatsApp's.

However, if they were in need financially it would be a different story - then I'd def send a voucher which would then undoubtedly be welcome. Not bothered about a big thank you we don't do them big time in my family.

Teenage DGS -I asked him would he like a pressie or money in his account,he chose money, so shall carry on asking.

Allsorts I'd say it's different in different families. If there is not a "ni gift agreement" it would be truly lovely to be able to get something they'd treasure, but getting it right so hard.
Can you text and say, "like to get you a little something, what would you like?"

As I get older, the gifts get larger , for many obvious reasons ….

Well I m the opposite CrazyH as the grandkids get older the money gets smaller as most of them are earning far more than me now 🤣

The two oldest, 23 and 19, have been getting money for a few years, as I have no idea what to buy them.
The next two at 14 I still buy presents for, but strictly only what they ask for, and the two little ones are still fun to buy for.

Sorry, my post should have said the adult ones get gift tokens. I have two young grandsons, and I happily spend a fortune on them, and send them clothes, money for holiday spending, and put pocket money in their accounts each month.
Not bothered about a big thank you but sometimes I don't even know if they received it.
It's very sad when they grow up and forget about you.

They do not forget you, but as they grow up, they have have so much else to take up their time, than g.parents. Normal and proper way of things. If we think back, how many of us sent as much as a burthday card to our g.parents???

Once my g.children go into double figures I stop sending them actual pressies, and send them money. Not a lot, with eight of them and me on nothing more than my pension, but always money - that is what they want. I love it when they (or their parents) let me know that are saving up for something and that pressie is going towards that.

Once they pass their 18th birthday, I stop those birthday presents, but still give some money for christmas. Always paid directly into their bank accounts, so I know they have received it whether or not they actually get round to thanking me.

I do not expect cards from them for birthdays, etc. indeed, really do not want them to waste their limited income on cards and postage. My pleasure in them is seeing them grow up, develop into lovely adults, leading happy, useful lives. As my family do not have children until around or into their thirties, I will not see any great g.children - which suits me just fine.

My grand children (IMO) are the responsibility of their parents, so any monies I may have in excess are likely to go to them (my children), rather than g.children.

Thinking about it, you're right about us not sending birthday cards to our grandparents Franbern. But I visited mine now and again.
The only contact I have with my gc is texting thank you, so it's very important. Pathetic I know. Even the ones who live in NI and go to uni close to me and have cars, have never called in. And my gd told me once, you can't be seen out with your granny.
She went shopping with her mums mother!

My pleasure in them is seeing them grow up, develop into lovely adults, leading happy, useful lives.
I wish!

I give them money to buy themselves a nice little treat, even if its just to go in there purse for when they are out and about with there friends, mine are teenager and adult grandchildren

My kids are teens/20's. They want cash. I have a discussion every time my mother asks what they want. I tell her cash. She doesn't want to send cash, it is to impersonal. She sends them a gift she thinks they will like. It ends up as clutter and, in about 5 years, will be given to a charity shop OR, in the case of my youngest, sold online for the cash she wanted to begin with.

If you do not want to send cash, don't. Just send a card with well wishes.

I also want to point out that, as I am decluttering the last 20 years of raising children, I have decided that I will give experiences as gifts in the future. Simply put, kids do not need all this stuff.

For our great nephews, when I can afford it, I purchase membership each year for birthdays/Christmas. Zoo, museum, etc. It allows them to visit many times over the course of the year. I know as a young parent, I would have loved for someone to gift these to me as we could afford them.

Mine always appreciate vouchers for Costa coffee or something similar. An expensive coffee is a real treat for them