Grandkids Receiving Gifts (Christmas Vanity)

Self | 12/13 | Super7man

[GreyHoundSailor]

Every year for Christmas I used to get a pair of socks from our wonderful neighbors. We knew how poor they were and how they struggled to eke a living out of a 40 cow dairy. The father had been a Marine in the Pacific during WWII; he was always happy and smiling. I was happy just knowing a tough old bird like Morris liked me enough to give me anything.

[Windflier]

Every child should be given a piggy bank and a way to make music.

Now there's a sneaky way to get back at your grown children .. LOL

[Deaf Smith]

He really needs a stud finder so he can punch through sheet rock and not a 2x4 stud.

[super7man]

Those are the moments in life that make us better people. Thanks for sharing that.

[Windflier]

What a touching story. You’re a good soul, Peach.

[MayflowerMadam]

“It was explained to me that he punched a wall. So he’s getting a drywall repair book.”

Perhaps enrollment in an anger management therapy program would be more beneficial. That’s domestic abuse in the making. I’ve worked with abused women, and it seems that punching walls, doors, etc., is the first stage.

[Sacajaweau]

We bought that when we were a little older. This leau de toilette was a tiny bottle....about the size of a silver dollar.

[outofsalt]

Pickle fruitcake!

[Sacajaweau]

My grandparents were simply surviving.

I remember my dad taking a bushel basket of canned goods to his parents at Christmas.

My mom's brothers took care of her dad.

Sometimes the best gift is a hug.

[Nifster]

Oh indeed.

Those are some of the most precious gifts. And think about it a Marine in the Pacific (or anywhere really) would have loved a new pair is socks.

A very special gift

[gaijin]

Real leather:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cowboy-NEW-Leather-Hoslter-Set-Double-Holsters-BROWN-2-Silver-Cap-Guns-70206/372155644733?epid=7004930391&hash=item56a6347b3d:g:H6kAAOSwd3dZYYQg:sc:USPSPriority!93940!US!-1:rk:37:pf:0

I think you can ship it to California, now.

I’m serious.

[FroedrickVonFreepenstein]

I hope you keep all those grandparents’ gifts.
When you kids are older, they may pay double to get it back.

You got that right.

[ladyjane]

Yours is such a wonderful post. I’ll be thinking about you when you break out your buddy from the assisted living center and you will be returning the brick with him.

I have a river rock with a similar but very personal story. Some things are so valuable - not in dollars but in memories.

[DesertRhino]

“difficult for Grandparents to know what a nice gift would be for Grandchildren whom they see twice a year and don’t really know. And requested gift lists were generally ignored.”

Twice a year? That’s on you. And a requested gift list? Again...not cool.

[ladyjane]

This child cried because he got a gift of something that had belonged to his great grandparent. And his sister wasn’t interested in a set of sterling flatware.This was probably the most sad post I have ever read here on FR. But it’s been the most valuable.

I was just about to send my daughter a set of flatware that had belonged to one of her grandmothers and some china. It’s expensive. The china was 1850 Spode and the flatware 1900 Tiffany. It is not the price it’s the fact that it belonged to an ancestor who valued it.

If kids today are going to cry if they get an empty wood box from a great grandfather or some old china - they’re losers.

It’s best to sell your stuff on eBay rather than give it to ungrateful kids and grandchildren.

[cyclotic]

New tradition. My brother and I have been trading the same fruitcake for the last 27 years

[Persevero]

We learned to enjoy the great and the daffy gifts. A rich part of our family feritage. It’s not that hard.

[Persevero]

I assure you lady Jane my kids would have been sincerely happy to receive any of those things. So would I.

[small farm girl]

Hey Super7man, I too, struggle with this. I am a step grandparent, and therefore I was the evil wicked step mother! I must have done something right because both my stepchildren are Conservatives, in spite of their liberal MA teachers association mother :)!!!
My 2 cents: passing on your philosophy is priceless. I have had countless people try to brainwash my older grandchild with "i'm with HER crap" and that's not happening. Our youngest son (sophomore in college) has helped him with his reading skills and now teaching him strategy with Age of Empires. Not all video games are evil :)
I gave my kids DNA test kits for the fun of it last Christmas and what do you know, the grandchild wanted one too. It amazes me what our young ones will embrace when given the opportunity.

SO! Be yourself, keep putting the right information in front of them.
"Tops and Bottoms" is a favorite book that has been given to all the young children in my life. I have also given Tea Party coloring books, Thump, the First Bundred Days book... just keep quietly pushing.
I have told all my children, I don't care who you bring home for dinner, as long as they are conservative. I'm sticking with that!
As for family heirlooms, I hit my daughters up pretty early with hope chests. Once that is in play, all the silver banded plates, shoe horns and other heirlooms go on there. They liked the ceremony of that and when they got older, understood the significance. My step-daughter with the children has her hope chest in her kitchen and uses the candlesticks, salt cellars, silver and etc that lived in the chest, all over her home!

[Zirondelle76]

I agree. What ever happened to “Its the thought that counts?”