Several years ago I started my “grandma book”.  I guess I didn’t have enough at being a mother; I had to keep going.  I guess I also wanted to be the greatest grandma in the world.  

I subtitled it my “campaign to save our children” book.  Okay, I may come off a little bit extreme here, but hey, I ain’t done yet raising all the kids I can get my hands on.  I’ve gotten a lot of ideas from magazine articles (Family Fun is particularly full of great ideas).  I also just keep my eyes and ears open and add to my book regularly.

I have categories for Christmas, Family Reunions, Games and Activities, and Fun Foods.  All the ideas are either very simple or very meaningful.  Nothing too fancy or expensive.

Christmas gift ideas:

I collect stocking stuffer ideas:

• Coupons to spend work days with grandma and grandpa during the year.
• Personal Progress kits – put together a challenge that you can complete together
• Scouting – another kit or project that can be done together
• Postcards with postage to stay in contact long distance
• Give everyone your “love list” of qualities you treasure the most in them

 

Christmas activities:

• On a clear night, bundle up and go out to view the night sky
• Read Christmas stories together (I have another binder with a large collection)
• Sub for Santa/neighborhood secret Santas

 

I loved reading about the Hinckley’s Christmas kid party, no parents allowed (Glimpses by Marjorie Hinckley).  They always had a fishing pond where main gifts were “caught”.  They had a dinner where an etiquette lesson was always given.  After playing games, stories were read till everyone fell asleep.  Each grandchild was sent a formal invitation through the mail.  If grandchildren lived long distance, a Christmas party box was sent out, with instructions to open it the same night of the party.

 

Family Reunions:

• Various “family trees” constructed, drawn, created, planted, etc.
• Consider various ages.  It’s easy to plan for children and adults, but teens are often forgotten.  
• Themes make it easy to plan for meaningful memories:  family, pioneers, service, heritage, scripture trivia, preparedness, talents & gifts, word of wisdom, journal keeping, etc.
• Make a family movie (pick a theme, scripture, standard).  Gift it at Christmas time.

 

Games and Activities:

Grandparents need to initiate family get-togethers.   Every time the family gets together it’s a good idea to have quick, easy to put together activities, games, and fun stuff to do WITH the kids.

• Hold an Olympics- carry water from Point A to Point B in a spoon, bowling with cups, who can hold a frown the longest, etc.
• Make presents for the parents (more than just drawing pictures)
• Pack a lunch and head for the park
• Have a “cookie day”
• Write, and act in, a play
• Go for a walk, fill a baggie with “finds”. Go home and create a picture
• Paper Chase Race-lay down a newspaper sheet for each step you take toward the goal line
• Treasure or Scavenger hunt
• Grow a garden together
• Blow monster bubbles
• Board game marathon

 

I have another binder full of activities I have copied out of The Friend.  The kids particularly love the Hidden Pictures, but there are a variety of activities we can sit and do together.   I go to www.lds.org , to magazines, to find these activities in all The Friends from way back.  I can print what I want before the kids come.  They now beg me to get this book out.

 

Fun Foods:

There are some fun foods that need an excuse to be made.   

• Frozen pops
• Calzones
• Pretzels
• Fun shaped sandwiches
• Crazy shaped cookies
• Insect vegetables

 

I’m still collecting, so feel free to share some of your good ideas.  The most important thing here is to have some ideas on hand, and create opportunities to have fun as a family.