Events and Vouchers needn't mean nothing to unwrap! (Other Gifts for Grandparents)

Name: BizzyB

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Product:	Other Gifts for Grandparents
Date:	06/12/00 (2406 review reads)
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Advantages: Having a gift to unwrap (however small) as well as tickets/vouchers gives the present an all round finished feeling

Disadvantages: Can be expensive if you want to buy them year memberships (but there are alternatives read on!)

I find buying gifts for grandparents one of the harder tasks. They often don't need material items and, toiletries and socks seems uninspired after a while.

Here's some ideas I've had over the years, I've put them under gifts for grandparents but I think you could adapt the ideas for most people, especially those difficult to buy for.

Especially with grandparents that are retired the one thing they have is time for their interests and hobbies. That's why days out and memberships are a good idea. Depending on your budget you could buy tickets to a local event for a couple of pounds to a years membership of a national organization. Sometimes buying a ticket, a bit like buying gift vouchers, can make for a literally flat present and that's why I like to pad them out with a gift - and it doesn't have to be big or expensive but it's fun to have something to unwrap and rounds off the whole thought.

This idea came about many years ago when I decided to take my grandmother to a F1 GP. She often went to the British GP in the 1950s and 60s and like the rest of the family remains a fan. I bought a cushion with her favourite driver on it and wrapped it for Christmas with a note saying 'this will make the grandstand more comfortable when I take you to the British GP next July'. We had a great time - it had been 32 years since she'd been to Silverstone and it blew her away! This idea could be adapted for many sports at all budget levels - wrap the ticket or note up with a team shirt, book or video on the sport.

If your grandparents are anything like mine you may find they aren't too confident on booking tickets to see shows and concerts especially if it means travelling - I knew there were singers that my grandparents would like to have seen but they didn't feel confident enough to drive into the cities where the concerts were held. So in the past I've bought their tickets and ta
ken them there or found a coach tour to the concert. Admittedly I've never sat through a Daniel O'Donnell concert with them but you'll find there's a restaurant or cinema near-by to fill the time if need be! Once again you could wrap a ticket or note up with a cassette, video or book. If they are regular theatre go-ers, check if there is a 'Friends of' society for them to join.

What about memberships? You could sign your grandparents up to an organization like the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) or English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk look under contact us for the numbers and e-mail for membership information). This will ensure them many days out and events throughout the year. If you want to wrap them something up too why not try a picnic rug or hamper or one of the organizations books on the places they could visit. For a less expensive option check out your local library - it's a great source of information on local clubs, museums and lectures that they might be interested.

For keen gardeners there's the Royal Horticultural Society (www.rhs.org.uk) - membership offers all sorts of event and concessions and you could wrap up all sorts of gardening paraphernalia for them to unwrap on Christmas Day. Less expensive option - check the back of the BBC Gardeners World magazine for a list of events and buy them a ticket to a local garden lecture or show.

And don't forget the animal opportunities. You could pay for their membership to a national animal welfare organization or sponsor an animal on their behalf. This may be especially appropriate if they have or have had a beloved pet. You could consider the Cats Protection league (www.cats.org.uk ), the National Canine Defence League (www.ncdl.co.uk) or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (www.rspb.co.uk ) And you could dress the gift up with all sorts to unwrap - book or video, soft toy, binoculars would be good if signin
g someone up to the RSPB. For a cheaper option look in your library and phone book for local animal welfare homes and you'll probably find you can sponsor a specific animal etc.

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