ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

As with the calendar, our blogs over the years always seem to come around to the holidays and the perils and pleasures they bring (see: Ho Ho Hum http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2009/12/ho-ho-hum-they-say-that-during-winter.html). The holidays are usually hard work, but they can also be fun. You may be chosen to be the caregiver(s) of the grand/great grandchildren while there is school vacation and parents are at work. As we have said many times it means you need to take care of yourself in order to handle all the extra errands, activities, and stresses of the holidays. You have a better chance of enjoying the season and your family if you are in good health (have you had your flu shot?) and plan ahead.

Eat Sensibly and Take Care of Yourself

This is not the time to skimp on sleep or turn to junk foods. They are an unhealthy and expensive solution. Plan ahead by cooking meals that can be made in double batches, such as stews, soups, and casseroles. Freeze the second batch, add a salad, and you'll have a nutritious meal ready to serve.

If you need to buy gifts try to shop by yourself. It really does go faster and there’s less stress. Protect yourself from overdoing things. It doesn't do anything for your disposition, your family, or your work to feel over-committed and under-appreciated.

Make Lists and Set Limits
If you've got a long list of adults and children to buy gifts for, make a list for adults, and another for the children. If the list of adults is too long, think about drawing names so that each adult buys only one item and gets only one item. That way the gift giving ritual can be more appropriately focused on the kids.

Keep in mind that advertisers target your great/grandchildren, who will want everything that is marketed to them. However, it’s a good idea for you to make a list and a holiday spending budget, and stick to it. Remember to check with the parents as to what is OK and what is off-limits.

If you decide to make purchases online, be aware of the expensive shipping costs, especially when you have waited to order closer to the holiday. However, many online sites offer free shipping (with a minimum purchase) and you might find it more effective than dealing with driving or using public transportation to a mall.

The Holiday Spirit
The holidays are a good time to help your great/grand children understand the importance of sharing with those in need. Think about the gifts that the children can make and give: cards, gift wrapping, baking cookies, etc. There are many charities that collect toys, food and clothes for those who are less fortunate or have survived a disaster. Check with the parents about possible gifts the children can make or give to deliver to a charity of their or your choice. Police and Fire Stations are also very thankful for homemade goodies the children can make.

Also, kids are NEVER too young to write or draw “Thank-You” notes. Have some blank card/paper ready to go, for the younger kids, and ask them to draw a “thank-you picture”. The older children can write a short “thank-you” note. The cards go a long way: children learn some basic courtesy skills, and the recipient of the card feels gratified.

Children Shopping For Others
If you become the person in charge of helping the children buy for others, we still like the $.99 Store solution that we have touted before for Mothers’ Day (see: 99 Cents for Mother’s Day http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2012_05_01_archive.html). Another idea would be to take your phone/camera, or have the parents take a phone/camera, to a toy store, sporting goods store, animal shelter or other favorite places to purchase gifts, and have the children take pictures of what each one “could not live without”. Be sure each photo shows the shelf price and name of the item. When finished, you’ll have a “virtual catalog”, which you can share with other family members who need to buy gifts. You may even be able to find the same things online or cheaper at other stores, if you have the time and inclination to bargain shop. Again, make sure to check out all the children’s choices with the parents, before buying anything.

Have Sensible Expectations
If the family will be spending extended time at your home during these days, have some pre-planned activities to do with the children. (see: A Few Of Our Favorite Things http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html), Above all, remember, some of the stress at this time of year can come from trying to do too much. Make this a time to share with your family and friends, by planning, prioritizing and being kind to yourself.

  Hallelujah, Felicidades and don’t eat too many latkes!

PS. If you want to go back and look at other blog we’ve written regarding holidays and gifts, see:

HOMEMADE FUN: http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

THE FLU AND YOU: http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2009/11/flu-and-you.html

GIFTS, MORE GIFTS AND EVEN MORE GIFTS…                                                             http://grandparentingplus.blogspot.com/2009/11/birthday-parties-gifts.html

99 CENTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day is here! You can’t open a paper, a magazine, listen to a radio or watch TV without being bombarded with stuff (useful and not) to buy for Moms. How about changing it up this year?

In the past, we’ve always advocated for making something with the great/grandchildren, that can be used, eaten, or not, by Moms. We’ve been very successful with baking, gluing, coloring, cutting, and molding creations. We’ve made photo books and clocks, cards, soap, flower pots, and many other fun things. But this year, we’re going shopping.

Nana Zoe, another grandparent in our family, shared this terrific idea that we’ve used for various gift giving occasions, and will use again this Mother’s Day. Zoe showed us the value of the 99Cent Store.

Now a little parallel history: In 1879 Mr. Woolworth created a surplus goods store, selling a mixture of nickel and dime priced items. During the Great Depression (similar to today’s “recession”) people frequently shopped at Woolworth’s, Newberry’s, and other local 5&10 Cent stores.

Fast forward 100+ years: Now the 99Cent Store and its clones have replaced the 5 & 10.

So…this Mother’s Day we’ll take the great/grandchildren shopping to the 99Cent Store. They will each be given a dollar bill or use a dollar from their piggy bank, and will bounce around the store choosing the “perfect gift” for Moms. We’ll keep our opinions to ourselves, and really let the kids make their own decisions. In our family, some of the previous purchases have been: a Coca-Cola glass, a day-glow spinner for the garden, a Dodger’s stationary kit, a plastic martini glass, colorful plastic necklaces (6 to the bunch), a packet of sunflower seeds, a train coloring book (a 2 ½ year’s old idea of a great gift), and other items that the kids thought would be fun.

This kind of experience gives children the opportunity and power to be the purchaser. When they go shopping for groceries, clothes, toys, etc, it’s usually the adult who pays. It also is a chance to learn to interact with the cashier: being polite and saying thank-you.

You can accompany the gift with a homemade card and or/wrap, and voila, Mother’s Day is done.

PS…Full disclosure: WE DO NOT OWN STOCK IN 99CENT STORES!!!!