Make It a Memory

Find toys that your grandkids love and keep them at your house. These toys become sought-after treasures every time your little ones come to visit.

Keep a little zippered pouch in your purse. From toddlerhood on, your grandkids will climb on you and go in your purse to see what the pouch holds today. It can hold a treat like crackers, cookies, or candy; four crayons and a tiny notepad; a ball; a tiny book; or even a photograph of something they love—just about anything.

Your kids may hate this, but at my house there is a special drawer filled with candy treats. Everyone knows where it is. At my dad’s house, there was always a silver canister filled with M&M’s, and my kids remember it thirty years later. Jelly beans in a covered, decorative container have a long shelf life, as do many kinds of mini treats.

My major Christmas gift for each grandchild is a printed annual photo book (I use Mix Books). It started out as a surprise. Now it is a cherished, expected gift as I have done it for five years in a row. It is a wonderful look back over the year; most feature family pics along with many shots of the children for whom the book was created. They can name every family member and it’s a great way to “keep memories alive” of people who may have recently passed. Bobby will stay in my kids’ books always. I also include pictures of things they love; I use computer clip art of childlike trucks, cars, or Minnie Mouse. It takes a little work, but you can build it through the year, saved in draft form. Take a photo of each child’s favorite foods, their bedroom, their house, the family dog, or their favorite toy. Don’t drive yourself crazy. It is a kid’s book and is a VERY fun thing for them to look at all year long. It does not have to be perfect. And you can add pictures of yourself where you think you actually look pretty good.