Lifestyle

A Grandparent's Guide To Winning The Holidays

by Rachael Lubarsky
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Image: Rachel Hudgins Photography

As if figuring out your own holiday gift buying strategy for your children wasn’t stressful enough, when you field that phone call from Grandma on what she should buy the kids, it creates another layer of complicated planning. Whether she wants to splurge and shower your kiddos with expensive stuff you don’t think they need, or she’s demanding a list of gifts that feel relevant and age appropriate, you both need a holiday shopping plan. Here are a few “dos and don’ts” to pass along to grandparents:

  • When it comes to budget, be on the same page. Make sure your own parents are sticking to what you feel is an appropriate amount to spend on your kids. (Like, no real ponies, please.)
  • The holidays are not a competition. We all know the season should be about family and shared experiences as opposed to wanton materialism. More gifts doesn’t = more love, obviously.
  • “Value” can be different than “cost.” Look for gifts that provide educational value, or support creativity, as opposed to something expensive that may be tossed aside.

Need some great gift ideas for grandparents to grab? We asked Valerie Ireland, a Scary Mommy mother-in-law and grandmother of four to weigh in with her picks. She is seriously committed about holiday shopping:

“I plan for months. I read reviews. I check out toy stores and gift guides. I start discussing it with my daughter and daughter-in-law long before they are ready to turn their attention to Christmas. It is a bit of a family joke.”

Sounds like a lot of work, but Valerie enjoys Christmas much more as a grandma:

“I don’t have that level of exhaustion I used to have when my kids were little. I’m not Santa. I’m Grandma! I get to watch their beautiful faces as I sip my coffee. It is truly one of my happiest moments of the entire year. I love them and I love toys!”

Here are some of Valerie’s top picks:

LEARNING RESOURCES Smart Counting Cookies
$14.48
LEARNING RESOURCES Smart Snacks Shape Sorting Cupcakes
$18.23
LEAPFROG Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket
$21.95
DITTY BIRD Interactive Children's Songs Book
$16.48
HOT WHEELS Super Ultimate Garage Playset
$169.99
KIDKRAFT Vintage Play Kitchen
$91.98
MELISSA & DOUG Let's Play House! Condiment Set
$11.50
LEARNING RESOURCES Serve It Up! Play Restaurant
$24.99
THE NEW YORK DOLL COLLECTION My First Doll Stroller
$19.98
TOP BRIGHT Toddler Car Track
$31.99
FISHER-PRICE Imaginext Batcave
$39.82
LEARNING RESOURCES One to Ten Counting Cans Toy Set
$36.99
CALICO CRITTERS Cozy Cottage Starter Home
$27.95
CALICO CRITTERS Grand Department Store Gift Set
$119.99
OSMO Creative Kit For iPad
$67.01

Check out even more great holiday gifts inspired by Valerie’s picks!

SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
$12.99
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Fossil Dig Kit
$26.90
SEGOAL Moon Lamp
$21.99
AmScope Kids Beginner Microscope
$39.99
THINKFUN Code Master Programming Logic Game and STEM Toy
$17.84

You May Also Like: Best Gift & Toy Guides For Kids By Age

SHOP THE STORY

LEARNING RESOURCES Smart Counting Cookies

“This is a fun compact toy at a great price point. It works well with restaurant or kitchen play. . The chocolate chips are numbered from zero to ten, which makes them good for counting. And sharing!”

$14.48
LEARNING RESOURCES Smart Snacks Shape Sorting Cupcakes

“This is another popular one. Kids love doling these out around the room.  Promotes social interaction, sharing, color recognition. This gets used a lot at our house.”

$18.23
LEAPFROG Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket

“My own daughter loved this, in another rendition, as my granddaughter did a generation later.  This gets used for years.”

$21.95
DITTY BIRD Interactive Children's Songs Book

“An obvious choice for kids who love to sing along in the car.”

$16.48
HOT WHEELS Super Ultimate Garage Playset

“You need some space for this but a few kids can stand around it at the same time, taking turns at sending their cars down the track. Huge hit.”

$169.99
KIDKRAFT Vintage Play Kitchen

“I think is priced well for what this is.  This has longevity and durability! A pain to put together maybe but hey, that’s what dads are for!”

$91.98
MELISSA & DOUG Let's Play House! Condiment Set

“I bought this for the kids this year. It looks like those wire baskets found on diner restaurant tables.”

$11.50
LEARNING RESOURCES Serve It Up! Play Restaurant

“My go-to toys are often from Learning Resources. Starting when they are toddlers, Learning Resource has lots of good educational toys.

$24.99
THE NEW YORK DOLL COLLECTION My First Doll Stroller

“The best gift I’ve ever given. Boys and girls love that stroller.  They are sturdy and hold up under lots of active use.  They may cost a little more. But those are still in use three years later, when others have had to be thrown away.  A have a battalion of them for when cousins come over to play. I also have to keep extra baby dolls.”

$19.98
TOP BRIGHT Toddler Car Track

“I give this to toddlers who are just starting to be able to stand at a toy.  Watch a whole new world open up.”

$31.99
FISHER-PRICE Imaginext Batcave

“Fisher Price still makes great toys! I am so impressed with the Batman series.  They are sturdy, interactive, good-looking. The figures and cars are a perfect size.  In my experience, it skews a little young. Toddler into early childhood.”

$39.82
LEARNING RESOURCES One to Ten Counting Cans Toy Set

“Some people will hate me for this. This is an excellent counting toy with the appeal of play food. The cans are cardboard but ours have held up well.  Warning: you are constantly picking up pieces all over the room. Make the kids help!”

$36.99

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