Stupid presents for grandchildren

I always try and make sure that my presents are just fun - nothing educational! When they get to teens I give them money.

I’ve never liked the idea of ‘asking for’ gifts for birthdays or Christmas. I still buy for the smallest grandchildren, but the others get the dosh, and I don’t care what they do with it! I do buy a ‘wee minding’, but so often have seen them being delighted with what they have spent the money on, which is often something I would never have bought for them in a million years!

To me the point of giving presents is to give the recipient something she or he wants and will be pleased with.

Obviously, at our age, we consider a lot of what an 11 year old would like rubbish, but so what?

If you really don't want to give her what she asked for, ask again, if there is something else (not made of plastic,
objecting on eviromental grounds is probably more understandable than on what it costs) she would like instead.

Incidently, as a child I greatly preferred the grandmother who gave me toys she knew I would like and play with, to the grandmother who gave me what she thought I should have - usually a 10 shilling postal order she and Grandpa specifically stated had to be paid into my Post Office Savings Account AND what I eventually bought with the money from Grannie and Grandpa had to be the subject of a letter to them, over and above the thank-you note!

My 22 yr old son is very much into Lego still. He recently bought the Lego bonsai tree and it is a lovely ornament.
Lego is very much in fashion again now, especially for adults [ I am sure my son keeps them in business ) I can't see the problem with buying something they would like?

My 17 year old grandsons’ request for his last Christmas/birthday gifts has been for a Cuban cigar. this has NOT been granted…

Well I could never have had a tattoo, I couldn’t stand the pain, having my ears pierced was as much as I could stand.

I googled Lego plants/flowers and think they look lovely, and not rubbishy at all. I want some!
There are some tattoos in my family. I don't mind them as long as they are not overdone. I wouldn't mind a tiny one on my shoulder, a bird or butterfly maybe.

It goes full circle, my oldest granddaughter is twenty two now, and I love buying her things.

Thanks for the Lego flower info. I'll definitely have a couple of these for GC.

Thirty years ago my son spent all his birthday money £75 on a stupid game card. Just a worthless bit of cardboard.

Which he has just sold for over £1000….

?

I buy what they’ve asked for, even if it’s ludicrously overpriced trash, like the LOL teenage doll Gdd really wanted for her 7th birthday.
To me a present needs to make their eyes light up, or you might as well not bother. At least when they’re relatively little.

When they’re older they often just want money, which solves the problem for you.

Sara1954

What age group would you say that the Lego plants are aimed at ?

They are marketed for adults.

Like all Lego it depends on the persons ability to follow the instructions.

What age group would you say that the Lego plants are aimed at ?

Jaylou

I had never heard of Lego plants, so have just looked on Amazon. Love the Bonsai tree version and have already ordered it as an Xmas present. Have never bought a Xmas present so early. I think you DGS will love it

I bought the bonsai tree for my DiL last Christmas she was thrilled with it.

If it’s the same one, you can add the blossom in the Spring/Summer and revert to just leaves in the Autumn/Winter there is also an option to light it up through the base.

Just try to remember you are a different generation from them.You probably dont like their music or clothes but accept that as just how life is.Why would you think THEY should only want presents that you think are appropriate?
I have a fab relationship with all my GC,I had 3 GD's stay for 4 nights last weekend.We went to Comic Con on 2 days .Most people were having a ball but there was one older couple who were remaking loudly as they walked through the main area about how much f-ing rubbish it was,how they didn't find it necessary to dress like comic characters when they were wee and why did the Farmers Market have to be posponed for crap like this.
I felt sorry for them ,they were walking behind us and my GD's said thank heavens you're not that type of Gran ,,I loved their costumes and loved seeing them enjoy themselves.
Suely you dont think they should be playing with dolls or wee motors and listening to Cliff Richards...its 2022 ,move with the times

Your grandchild may remember this as the Christmas Grandmother gave her the Lego plant and smile. Try to remember your own childhood and give her what she is hoping for.

They sound like great gift ideas to me.

I’ve often night experiences or extra activities. Took granddaughter to see The Lion King, paid for grandsons to do baby gym. Seems to work well - although covid and lockdown confused things.

Why have I never heard of Lego plants before now? I want some and I am not a child.

Legos therapy is actually used for kids with dyspraxia.

www.coordikids.com/toys-to-improve-fine-motor-skills/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20LEGO%20Therapy%20is,Dyspraxia

Legos are also used to teach children engineering skills, something the next generation need to be fluent in for STEM careers.

So certainly not a waste IMO.

My daughter has numerous tattoos. I really don't like them, but it's her body and none of my business.

To be fair to watermeadow, whereas I agree that gifts belong to the recipient not the giver, I can understand people not wanting to spend their money on something they don't approve of or feel is worth it. Not liking it is different. I wouldn't pay for my daughter to get another tattoo, for instance, but would happily buy her a dress I didn't like.
I do think that asking someone what they want is a bit pointless if there is going to be 'right' and 'wrong' answers though.

M0nica I don't think anyone was suggesting buying frivolous tat as presents . More that well-received presents are often things that are the sort of treats that you can't justify buying for yourself. I love expensive bath oil and notebooks, for instance, but baulk at spending £££ on them for me. I love it if I get one as a present though.

With one DD’s family I do like Soozikinzi and pay for activities but for thé the other older family, I ask what they would like, keeping my fingers crossed that it might mean an outing to the shops with them. I even ask the older GDs if they would help me with their father’s present

I don’t like tattoos much, but my son has a sleeve, daughter has her tongue pierced, their bodies.
Back to the subject, what a good idea for a present, thanks; said daughter, 36, has a few Lego kits she displays. In a busy job she says assembling them is calming, I’m off to have a look.

Sara1954

Callistemon
Personally I’m not a fan of tattoos, but as long as they weren’t covered in them, I guess I’d get used to them.

Just wouldn’t like to think of their lovely young skin being permanently marked.

I really dislike them!!

I had never heard of Lego plants, so have just looked on Amazon. Love the Bonsai tree version and have already ordered it as an Xmas present. Have never bought a Xmas present so early. I think you DGS will love it

Callistemon
Personally I’m not a fan of tattoos, but as long as they weren’t covered in them, I guess I’d get used to them.

Just wouldn’t like to think of their lovely young skin being permanently marked.