Grandma Stories» christmas gifts for grandma and grandpa

It’s The Thought That Counts Means What Exactly?

Grandma — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:55:48 +0000

I’ve heard the phrase “it’s the thought that counts” in regards to gift giving for so many years, you might think I actually buy into what that rather famous quote means. But I’m not sure I really believe that it’s the thought that counts rather than the price tag and quantity of gifts given at Christmastime or Birthdays or any other special occasion or holiday.

Call me Scrooge, but Christmas this year is going to be unlike previous Christmases because Grandpa and I have had it up to here with ungrateful, unappreciative, selfish-minded people who seem to think we have SANTA stamped on our foreheads.

Maybe there was a time, many years ago, when buying a gift for someone was based solely on well thought out searches for a gift based on what the person likes and enjoys without much thought about the price tag. That is the kind of Christmas shopping I always enjoyed, putting a lot of thought into whatever gift I chose for someone on our gift list, but just the mere thought of buying Christmas presents this year makes me wonder What the hell for?

If what matters most is the thought process that goes into choosing, buying, wrapping and giving a gift from the heart, then certain people on our annual gift list who shall remain nameless didn’t get the memo. Our usual list of around 20 people or so to buy Christmas gifts for has been reduced to a fraction of that, perhaps to the total count of just 4. Young grandchildren only, with no adults receiving Christmas gifts anymore.

Every Christmas holiday for the last few years has ended up with at least one person asking “Is this all that (insert name) gets?” That indicates that someone is counting the number of gifts received and if that number is not reached, then we haven’t lived up to the expected and anticipated responsibility as generous gift givers. Again, where does it say Santa on my forehead or on Grandpa’s forehead?

Being the primary person who buys or orders gifts during the holiday season, I’ve always put a lot of thought into the gifts purchased for each and every person on our gift list. We don’t own a money tree and we have our own bills, debts and expenses to pay off, and it has become obvious that the supposed “thought” of gift giving (at least for some) really means we’re expected to give generously regardless of our own financial situation.

Of those we used to buy gifts for at Christmas, most of them were very understanding when we let them know that we would not be buying Christmas gifts for adults anymore, but would stick to buying for the grand kids. Others were not so understanding, which as you may have guessed, are for the most part the very ones who have had the audacity to ask “Is this all that so-and-so gets?”

We’re supposed to concern ourselves with their feelings and Christmas wish lists during the holiday season or when Birthdays come around etc. The only two people who know our financial situation are the two people who should and need to know – Grandpa and I. We live in a nice house. So what. We drive nice cars. So what. We worked our butts off for what we have and anyone that allows the thought to cross their minds that we someone “owe” them a certain number of gifts – whether the gifts are inexpensive, cheap as hell, expensive or extravagant gifts just because we’re related in some way needs to take a step back and analyze their attitudes towards us.

We worked our butts off for what we have. We earned what we have from years and years of hard work at our jobs, buying things for ourselves that we wanted and needed with our own money as we could afford. The longer you work at your jobs, the sooner you will discover you can also begin to buy things you want or need because you’re able to afford it. Just because we can afford certain things doesn’t mean you are entitled to receiving a particular number of gifts from us or gifts that cost a certain amount of money, whether it be at Christmastime or any other holiday or special occasion.

We understand money is tight for many people, regardless of the recession or economic situation we’re in right now, and we don’t expect expensive gifts or a certain number of presents from our family or friends. However. If it’s true, that it’s the thought that counts when making decisions about gifts, than the thought shown towards us over the last few years has been nothing but selfishness and unrealistic expectations. Come to think of it – you know that thing about it’s the thought that counts about giving gifts of some kind? Yeah, that thing works both ways, ya know?

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Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books, Cookbooks, Calendar, Gifts and Recipes

Grandma — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:26 +0000

Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you like Gooseberry Patch Christmas cookbooks loaded with great country recipes as much as I do, you will love the new Gooseberry Patch cookbook. As a mother and grandma, cooking is not just a necessity but is also one of many fun activities or hobbies to be enjoyed. When I discovered the Gooseberry Patch company a few years ago, I was immediately hooked on the delicious recipes found in all the cookbooks I could find to buy.

Needless to say, I’ve been starting my own collection of Gooseberry Patch cookbooks that I will have a great time experimenting with when the kids and grandkids come over. Since I’m an avid reader of books of all kinds, especially cookbooks with great recipes and stories, I was thrilled to receive my very first cookbook by Gooseberry Patch.

I have so many recipe cards filling recipe boxes in what I jokingly refer to as “Grandma’s Kitchen”, I really need to take the time to use the organizer I bought from Gooseberry Patch, and then choose a couple of my best recipes to send to Gooseberry Patch for possible inclusion in their next cookbook.

Seriously, if you haven’t heard of GooseberryPatch, you are missing out on some of the best cookbooks and recipes available thus far. Even kids get in on the cooking action with the Gooseberry Patch series called Kids in the Kitchen, and if you haven’t yet seen the Kids in the Kitchen Kit with book included, now that makes a great Christmas gift for kids who enjoy cooking. (making mental note right now)

I’ve also been meaning to buy some of the cookware, serving bowls and dishes, and the braided baskets and placemats the Gooseberry Patch company makes are already on my Christmas list. I’ve already ordered the new Gooseberry Patch Christmas cookbooks11 and 12, and they should be arriving sometime next week.

Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks

Even if I don’t receive any of the Gooseberry Patch gift items from my Christmas list for Christmas this year, you can bet I’ll go right out and order them for myself. I’m sure I’m not the only one who ever buys Christmas gifts for themselves, right? Considering the fact that I’ve been gathering recipes and doing some initial cooking/freezing in preparation for Thanksgiving and even Christmas, the brand new Recipes for Kindness Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch will come in very handy.

Gooseberry Patch is donating a dollar from each purchase of their new cookbook called Recipes for Kindness to the Feeding America charity, and I’m happy to do my part to help needy families in America. Gooseberry Patch will even send you a free catalog!

Recipes for Kindness is the first book in a new series of cookbooks, with lots of good ideas for little acts of kindness we can all do to be kind to others, plus some of the best holiday inspiration and recipes Gooseberry Patch customers will enjoy.

By the way, the full-color watercolor artwork in this new collectible cookbook are beautiful. This soft cover cookbook has 48 pages of great recipes and is 5 Â½ inches sq. Check out this brief video of Gooseberry Patch founders Jo Ann and Vickie talking about the Recipes for Kindness cookbook.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gooseberry Patch has a large variety of cookbooks for kids, and my grandchildren and I will have lots of fun incorporating cooking many of these recipes into our usual activities. Oh, I must not forget to tell you that the Gooseberry Patch 2010 Calendar is the coolest thing ever and I can’t wait for it to get here because I have special dates, parties and family occasions coming up that I must keep track of since we do a lot of entertaining.

I can’t possibly list all of my favorite things from Gooseberry Patch, but I can tell you that my Christmas list is growing by the day! These Gooseberry Patch Christmas ornaments are the cutest things ever, don’t you agree?! I’ve got my eye on a couple of the Gooseberry Patch quilts and throws, the 3-piece set of Cast Iron Cobbler Pots (plus the cobble mix), and the Christmas nightlights are very cute too.

There are so many Christmas-themed serving bowls, baskets and tablecloths for me to choose from, it’s hard to me to choose just one. I’m glad that Gooseberry Patch offers gift certificates too, since I admit to being one of those Grandma’s who has everything already and is hard to buy for. Not anymore!

Since I love to cook and try out new recipes, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks is probably one of the best Christmas gifts for grandparents my children or grandchildren could buy for this old grandma. This grandma’s kitchen is going to be smelling really good over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays especially with all the cooking I’ll be doing, and I bet my kids and grandkids won’t be able to stop eating once they have tried some of my newfound recipes from Gooseberry Patch.

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Homemade Christmas Gifts For Grandparents-Personalized Grandparent Gifts

Grandma — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:25:28 +0000

Homemade Christmas gifts for grandparents vs. personalized grandparent gifts, which is best for grandma and grandpa? It can be a challenge to think of new Christmas gift ideas for grandparents, especially when Christmas shopping for elderly or senior grandparents who have everything already or grandparents who don’t live nearby. Gifts for grandparents, especially Christmas gifts for grandparents over 70, only requires a little creative thinking and time to find unique grandparent gifts grandma or grandpa will love.

Thoughtful Christmas gifts for grandparents are those that take care of needs, solve problems, keep them comfortable and show them you care. The best gifts for grandparents are tailored to their tastes, interests, hobbies and activities. Grandparent activities or hobbies may include things like bowling, golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening, boating, traveling, cooking, needlepoint, crafts, sewing, reading and volunteering. Many grandma’s and grandpa’s of all ages are also computer geeks, internet surfers, web-savvy, techie/gadget electronics lovers.

Best Christmas Gifts For Grandma and Grandpa

Today’s grandmother and grandfather are younger thinking than in past generations, keeping active by walking, hiking or playing tennis, and have a longer life expectancy. All grandparents love gifts that focus on their grandchildren, especially recent photos put in a digital photo frame that holds a lot of pictures. With a little help from you in learning how to add photos to a digital picture frame, grandma and grandpa will enjoy the pictures of their grandchildren for years to come.

Another favorite gift idea for grandparents are personalized Christmas gifts for grandparents and collectibles that take into account the personal interests, wants and needs of grandma and grandpa. Have you considered a family ring or mothers ring as a great keepsake gift for grandmothers and grandfathers?

There are many family ring designs to choose from, often personalized with genuine birthstones or simulated stones signifying the birth month, and/or names of each child or family member. Jewelry gifts for grandmothers or grandfathers may be rings, bracelets, charms, necklaces, pendants, lockets, gold or silver cufflinks, money clip, new wrist watch or pocket watch are all appreciated by grandparents.

Christmas Gift Baskets and themed gift baskets are a personal favorite, as gift baskets are a simple and inexpensive gift idea for grandparents regardless of their interests and hobbies. There are gift baskets that meet the needs and tastes of every grandma and grandpa regardless of age or ability, and you can’t go wrong giving your special grandparent a perfect gift basket filled with goodies or delectable gourmet snacks.

If your grandparent is living in a nursing home or senior care center, choose appropriate Christmas gifts that won’t take up a lot of room or add a lot of clutter, but pay close attention to what things grandma or grandpa may be needing or replaced because of wear and tear.

Bathrobe

Nightgown

Undergarments

Comb or brush set

Slippers

Cologne or perfume

Bath products, powders or lotions

Books or magazines

Word search or crossword puzzles

Chocolates or candy

Lap tables make a great gift!

Playing cards, dominoes or board games

New pillow, sheets, quilt or comforter

New clock or clock radio

CD player and CDs of their favorite music

Large button Universal TV remote

DVD player and/or favorite movie collection

Gift Cards, Restaurant Gift Certificates, large print books, lap blanket or throw, Grandma brag books, money and TIME spent together with family and friends are some good Christmas gift ideas for senior citizens and younger grandparents.

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