Grandma Stories» gifts for grandma

Turning 50 – 50th Birthday Gift Ideas for Mom or Grandma

Grandma — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:20:26 +0000

I will be turning 50 years old on July 5th of this year, a half a century old. Some seem to feel that turning 50 means you’re officially entering “old age”, a major milestone year in the life of men and women. For me, turning 50 is a blessing, one that I readily accept with joy and anticipation about the opportunities and possibilities laid out before me with nary a thought of what others feel or think about me.

Turning 50 years old offers many benefits, including the pleasure of watching my grown children reach their goals, get married if they choose to, and raise children of their own. The joy of being a Grandma and watching my grandchildren grow up to become happy, productive members of society is just one benefit amongst many that I take great pleasure in each and every day.

Turning 50 is a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family and reflect back on one’s experiences and accomplishments in life, and that is exactly what we‘re going to do. Turning fifty years old and planning a 50th birthday party celebration for those near and dear includes being asked, What do you get someone who is turning 50?, What is an appropriate 50th birthday gift for a mom or grandma?, and, How do you plan a 50th birthday party for someone?

A 50th birthday party for someone like me is one that is a small, informal, casual, relaxed, low-key affair, not a loud and boisterous party filled to the gills with black roses and other black birthday party decorations or supplies, coffin cakes and the like. That is not my style, so when planning a 50th birthday party for someone as a surprise or not, it’s best to consider the individual person’s personality and style when deciding on the birthday theme, colors used, gag gifts, music, etc.

50th Birthday Party Gift Ideas

50th birthday gag gifts are of course funny and fun, for those that enjoy silly gag gifts. To me, they’re just a waste of money and more often than not, thrown away in the trash shortly after the party is over and the guests have left and gone home. Thoughtful, practical birthday gifts for a 50th birthday are more appealing than those that are just “silly”, for the sake of laughter. Birthday gift ideas for someone turning 50 aren’t much different than gifts for any other birthday, whether it’s a 30th, 40th or 60th birthday.

Choosing a 50th birthday party gift, or any other age, is just a matter of carefully considering the likes, dislikes, personal interests, hobbies etc of the gift recipient. I always try to make a mental note anytime someone near and dear mentions something they need or would like to have, that could be given as a kind and thoughtful gift for a birthday, holiday or some other special occasion.

Since I spend so much time reading books and magazines of interest to me, I’ve been carefully watching for the price of the Kindle wireless e-reader to go down to a more reasonable amount, as something I might get for myself sometime. I haven’t bought any kind of wireless e-reader device as of yet, but the price of the Kindle has dropped dramatically, so that may be a great 50th birthday gift idea for someone who reads a lot.

I especially like the Kindle for reading while traveling or on vacation, but it’s so small and light that it just may be a great reading device for anytime of year or while relaxing at home. I’ve been told that there is a Kindle application for smart phones, like the iPhone and Blackberry, but I just don’t see reading downloaded books on such a small screen as being very comfortable.

There are some other 50th Birthday Gifts I’ve passed along to those who have inquired as to what I might like as a gift that I won’t mention here. Suffice it to say that there are very few things on my “want” or “need” list as far as gifts are concerned, so enjoying the fun, food, laughter and good times during my upcoming 50th birthday party with friends and family is all that really matters to me. Turning 50 is great, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of being in my 50’s and beyond.

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Valentine’s Day For Grandparents

Grandma — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:12:24 +0000

Valentine’s Day is a special holiday for sweethearts, friends, lovers, spouses etc and that includes grandparents, on February 14 of each year. Valentine’s Day for us this year will be spent visiting with our grandchildren and grown children, out of town. There will likely be the Valentine’s Day cards and small gift-giving, even if the gifts are very cheap from stores like Walmart or Target.

Valentine’s Day gifts for lovers or wives typically mean sending flowers of one kind or another, but considering how overpriced flowers are during the Valentine’s holiday, flowers just never cross our minds to give as a gift to each other. I don’t mind at all either because there is really no good reason I can think of to spend so much money on Valentine’s Day flower bouquets that are just going to die in a few days.

We’ll wait until we arrive at our destination, where the kids and grandkids live, before we embark on buying any cards or inexpensive gift of some kind. The most we will do gift-wise is probably just buy a small toy for the grandchildren and just give cards to the adult kids. Since the grandkids are still very young, any Valentine’s Day gift for him and her may end up being a little toy they can play with to their heart’s content.

Maybe, and it’s a big maybe, we might also give the grown kids a small box of Valentine’s Day heart candy or something similar, if they’re not already sold out at the local stores near our hotel. Valentine’s Day is at the very beginning of our Chicago vacation trip for a week’s visit with the grown children and grandchildren, so planning anything special to do on Valentine’s Day may be a little difficult depending on their work schedules and other family responsibilities.

There is of course the weather to consider as well, so we’re expecting to plan mostly indoor things to do while we’re in Chicago, and spend some time checking out some of the new businesses, fun venues and restaurants that have opened up since we were there last. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re spending Valentine’s Day out of town, playing and having fun with the kids and grandkids, I’d almost say that Valentine’s Day for grandparents is overrated. Why?

Because neither of us are interested in the over-commercialism (materialism) of many of the holidays, especially Valentines Day and Christmas, and just because we’re grandparents doesn’t mean we will make a big deal out of one more holiday pushed on consumers to spend, spend, spend. We’ll just go with inexpensive, cheap, cheaper and cheapest.

If I had the time and inclination to actually make some homemade gifts for Valentine’s Day, like winter scarves or gloves etc, making gifts could almost count as a free Valentine’s Day gift since yarn is so dirt cheap. Since I don’t know how to knit or crochet, nor do I care to learn how, we’ll just make a point of stopping in one of the local stores and pick up something appropriate for the holiday.

From what all the grown kids have said so far while planning this vacation trip, all they care about is having us there for the week and spending time together “hanging out” and doing a bunch of fun activities around town that are soft on the wallet. Theirs and ours, since they pay their own way to each of the places we go while we’re in town.

Our not being expected to pay their way for everything we do and places we go is a great bonus, and we greatly appreciate their pre-planning of their budget to leave some room for spending Valentine’s Day with the grandparents, with their own money. The hugs, kisses, tickles and laughter are all free gifts to each other, and those last a lot longer than some stupid bouquet of flowers anyway.

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2010 Gooseberry Patch Calendar by Gooseberry Patch

Grandma — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:36:30 +0000

The Gooseberry Patch calendar is on the top of my list of favorite things from the Gooseberry Patch company, and now the 12-month 2010 wall calendar and appointment scheduling calendar are available. This year’s calendar is filled with tried and true (and delicious!) recipes, with unique recipe ideas surrounded by unforgettable watercolors throughout the calendar, with plenty of room to jot down special occasions and dates to remember.

Since I couldn’t decide between the 12-month Gooseberry Patch wall calendar and the appointment calendar, I ultimately decided to buy both calendars since I always carry a planner or appointment scheduler in my purse. Since Christmas is coming and a few people I know love to cook and have started a collection of cookbooks, I’ll be buying a few cookbooks from Gooseberry Patch as gifts for them as well.

Have you heard about the Gooseberry Patch company yet? Gooseberry Patch is a thriving mail-order company based in Delaware, Ohio. Neighbors Vickie Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin founded Gooseberry Patch in 1984 over the backyard fence even though neither had any business experience; Martin was a first-grade teacher and Hutchins was a flight attendant & legal secretary. Let that be a lesson to you: always follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you your dreams aren’t worth chasing.

The Gooseberry Patch company is currently operated from a 52,000-square-foot building that includes retail Gooseberry Patch products, wholesale and web sale divisions. Gooseberry Patch has been allowing customers to submit recipes for inclusion in their Gooseberry Patch cookbooks since 1992, with over 6.8 million cookbooks sold to very satisfied cookbook-loving customers.

Gooseberry Patch Christmas

Christmas this year is of course going to be full of gift giving, and for my friends who love to cook, what better Christmas gift could I possibly give if not for Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and gift items? Did you know that Gooseberry Patch has over 100 recipe-filled cookbooks? I’ve heard great things about the slow cooking, crock pot recipes too, and I’ll be trying out those recipes now that autumn is in full swing.

Gooseberry Patch has grown to where they have over 500 items under $20.00, and with many families struggling to get by in this economy, being able to buy Gooseberry Patch products like nightlights, cookbooks, organizers, calendars, country crafts etc so cheap is a very good thing.

Jo Ann and Vickie, who shared a love of collecting antiques, gardening and country style decorating, decided to open a mail-order business right from their kitchen tables! I wish I had thought of that! Gooseberry Patch outgrew the kitchen table-style business and ended up moving to the country, where store shelves were stocked not only with their own line of cookbooks and calendars, but also kitchenware, enamelware, bowls and other wonderful items.

Gooseberry Patch has recently released their new cookbook called “Gooseberry Patch Christmas” book 11, and is described this way: “Every year Gooseberry Patch brings homespun charm to the holidays with its popular annual Christmas book, and the eleventh edition is no exception. Reflecting the latest trends in decorating and entertaining-while keeping a close eye on tradition-the pages brim with all-new ideas for handcrafted decorations and gifts, keepsakes, activities, and yummy recipes from Gooseberry Patch’s family of readers.

With beautiful photography, simple instructions for crafts and recipes, easy-to-use recipe and craft indexes, and beloved Country FriendsÂ® illustrations, this series helps make treasured memories and establish new holiday traditions.”

I don’t know about you and what kind of cookbooks or crafts you like, but I simply love Gooseberry Patch and everything the company offers. Trying new things and creating fond memories of cooking with my children and grandchildren is an activity I’ve always enjoyed, and I can only hope that others enjoy Gooseberry Patch as much as I do.

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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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