Are your grandkids overwhelmed by gifts at birthdays and christmas etc?

My 'monniker' came from my 4 year old DGD

" Oh Granny, I do like your clothes" said she
" That is really kind of you to say so, thank you" says I proud and smiling
" Yes, Granny, you look like a fish"

Now WHERE did that come from?

Memo to self, whatever it was do not wear it again around DGD

My 2 grandchildren have a playroom that is so full of toys they can't play in it. I feel so reluctant to buy them yet more. One year we sent away for a "butterfly garden". She received a net cage with caterpillars and could watch them feed and grow, turn into a chrysalis and emerge as butterflies. She then released them in the garden. I have also filled a craft box with little bits and pieces from hobby craft and this was a definite hit with her (though surprisingly it was DH who got carried away on the spending for that one!) We have also resorted to buying presents for them at Christmas which they open at our house and are theirs to play with HERE!

We are about to create a mud kitchen for them: cupboard/oven made from old wooden crate and have collected some old baking trays, muffin trays, saucepans, wooden spoons, an enamel teapot and some enamel mugs and a bottle of water. We have plenty of mud! Will keep them occupied for hours and hopefully give them good happy memories.

Many years ago, when my youngest son was about 6, his class was asked, after Xmas, to draw a picture and write about their favourite present. Out of all the presents he received he chose to draw & write about his magnifying glass, that Santa had bought for around 50p! Under the age of around 5 I don't think children have much idea of the cost of their presents. I have 7 grandchildren (so far), and when a birth, birthday, Christmas comes around I ask the parents if there is something the child needs - bedding, clothes & other 'boring' but necessary things. I then buy it ( or contribute if it is something very expensive), and also get the child something I know they will enjoy - sticker books are a favourite! For older grandchildren I have put together boxes of craft items & invited them around to have a crafty day - great fun for me too!
I know that Marwell Zoo has "Zookeeper for a Day" events. I would think this is something most of the larger zoo's offer.

Living in an international community I learnt that in some countries it is the norm that if a child is having a birthday party, the parents of the children attending will join together and buy one expensive present rather than lots of individual ones. Seems like a good idea.

Books.

Children do not remember any present you give to them once they are adults. A day out may just stay in memory bank.

Just a few thoughts of days out that will not break the budget if you live fairly near York or London. York has the National Railway Museum which I believe is still free, a great day for boys. London has the Natural History museum which is great for everything from dinosaurs to machinery.

The tourist office locally does special rate tickets for day trips to Brighton. Adult £xx and up to 3 or 4 children for £1 each, may be worth asking locally to see if anything close to you.

I remember seeing a story about London for free but cannot find it at the moment. It had lots of ideas of things to see and do for free.

Another nice day out we had was a trip on a narrow boat. We sailed along the canal through a few locks and then stopped at a picnic site for lunch,(took a packed picnic with us). Then turned around and came back again. That was a nice day out.

Outings are a great idea, and our DS and DIL want to take the children out to different things. It's hard to buy specific tickets for them as my DS works shifts and we never know when he's free. DIL's mother buys everything whether children need it or not and I can't keep up! I make things for the children and give money. I'd like to treat them directly sometimes too. Perhaps when they're older.

How about an 'official' birthday in the summer for Christmas babies? The Queen has one after all...

We have been doing this for a few years now. We give a sum of money to our DD and SIL and they decide what to spend it on. We don't ever suggest outings, but they always tell us what they have done and email us pictures of them enjoying their days out. We usually give the kids a small parcel such as a bit of Lego or Hama beads so they can have something to do at home as well.
If your children aren't too well off, it's a great way of helping them without seeming to be patronising or interfering. They don't have expensive tasdtes, so the money seems to go a long way.

I can't believe what a good idea this is. Problem solved. However a day out at Legoland is some considerable wadge of cash. The Junior ZooKeeper idea is a great one will see if Bristol Zoo does anything similar.

My DGS is 9 and had GO APE vouchers. At £10 each great value and he loves the experiences. DD has an old house with small rooms so space limited and Lego everywhere. So no more toys and agree theatre and days out treats much loved, particularly as I am only one to take him to high points i.e London Eye!

In the past we have bought annual Family passes to the local zoo and a farm so the present lasts all year. Theatre tickets and the like are great presents too.

I buy Premium Bonds for the grandchildren, then just give them around £10 each birthday / Christmas which they seem quite happy with.

Sorry, didn't follow the thread. We try to give the GDs something like tickets to the ballet or peferably what their mother asks us. It is difficult. The only thing I do different to other richer more competitive GPs is sew the little girls some dresses.

Just Googled "Wicked Uncle". It seems fabulous. We are always trumped by other GPs because they have more money and time - this could be the way to do it!
Thank you Gaggi3

Ooh Radicalnan!

I take my GD to the theatre too it is then a shared memory and no clutter at home, although I do work for charity shop so they get plenty of fab things from there too.
Theatre is a language and you need to learn to appreciate it while young, it also requires some social skills and my son in law doesn't come. Talk about win/win

We tend to put money by for birthdays and then do a big treat for them, bowling, party, trip to the zoo etc. They seem to like that more as the homes are packed with toys

I would like to buy my grandson - he'll be 7 - a hands on with animals preferably some sort of creepy crawlies or reptiles. Does anybody have any experience with this in the Surrey area? Would be grateful for ideas.

M0nica the junior zookeeper experience is at Edinburgh zoo. If there's a zoo near you I expect they might do something similar. It was more expensive than I would usually pay but he wanted it soooo much and its lovely to see a wee boy who loves animals (like me!)

I was the same for my (then) 3 year old grandson. They were under a mountain of toys and he didn't need any clothes. At ages from birth to around 5/6 they do not really care who has got them such and such a gift. So I purchased him premium bonds (minimum £100 these days ) That was 2 years ago and whilst he hasn't had a win it's a you never know !

Lots of good ideas for us all here. Google "Wicked Uncle" for unusual and fun presents, varying in price. DGS1 had a Stomp Rocket for his 7th birthday and we all had huge fun with it.

I am hoping, next year after GCSE, to take granddaughter to Australia to see her cousins and meet DS her uncle. Busy saving for that.

youlooklikeafishGranny1 Red letter days have a children's section with lots of activities for children/families which vary in price. It's well worth having a look there. You could also check out local theatres for child friendly shows. The Lowry had sing-a-long Frozen shows recently and there were hundreds of Elsas, Annas and a few Olafs. The funniest one was a very happy Batman who was accompanied by a scowling Elsa and her mum!