Nice Keepsake for New Grandson

iloveboots

Hi
As the title says, i am looking for something really nice to buy my new and 1st grandson (2 weeks old) I have already bought lots of clothes and practical things for him, have also got both my daughter and her partner a nice present, but I really wanted something special for him, he has already got bank account/premium bonds etc, i just can't think of anything at all.
Any ideas/suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance.

shy-but-need-help

First off congratulations on becoming a grandparent!

As for ideas? For our oldest we received a Wedgewood breakfast set from my parents because I'd received one as a child for my baptism from my mothers mother- my mom wanted to carry on the tradition, she also got given a matching money box in the same set from a cousin and his wife but in all honesty it's sat in a box for 13 years untouched because of fear it would get broken, it's not really our type of item to display and so it's just sat there. She recieved a lovely cut away St Christopher from one of her godfathers which she still wears now, even as a teenager.

With our boys no one actually bought them any "keepy" gifts, I think people find boys more challenging to buy for as they seem to automatically outrule jewellery.

I think the most special thing my parents have done for my children has been being consistantly involved grandparents playing both an active role and an active interest in their day to day lives, my mother is even reading the Vampire Diaries at present to keep in touch with our oldest, they also know what Moshi cards are and join us on pretty much every day trip, holiday and significant event to the children. That's been alot more valued to them and alot more valued to me as well. They do have relationships with my DH's parents (poor with his father but fine with his mother) but the fact they don't display the level of genuine interest my parents do means the children have never bonded the same way with them.

So my advice would be if you see something you like then buy it but if you don't then I wouldn't worry about finding the perfect gift- being a good grandparent will mean alot more than any gift other people might come up with.

jenjade

how about a coin set from this year? the year he was born. my mum bought me one when i was little and gave it to me for my 18th i love it

kingfisherblue

I agree that time and attention is by far the most important, but if you still want to buy a keepsake, what about a bookshelf and books? My children have some lovely books that they were given as babies, and as we are a family of readers, they have been very much appreciated.

My daughter (now 20) has a beautifully copy of 'The Night Before Christmas' from when she was very young. Every Christmas Eve, we sit down and I read it to her and my two boys - it is now a family tradition. When she has children of her own, she intends to continue the tradition.

Many gifts just end up in a box, which is a shame, so I would personally avoid anything ornamental - but that's just my opinion. I would always prefer something that can be used. Depending on family hobbies and likes, what about a carved chess set? My youngest son (age 11) has been fascinated by mine for years.

Enjoy spending time with your grandson - may he bring you joy, laughter and happiness.

kingfisherblue

Jenjade's idea is a good one. My mum also bought a copy of the newspaper on the day my children were born.

shy-but-need-help

ohhh I do like Kingfisherblue's idea about the chess set, especially if you play and can teach him as he's older. One of my most prized posessions (probably my only prized materialistic posession actually) is a carved chess set my DH bought me for our first christmas when I was 17. I'd seen it in a shop window when I was about 14 and constantly asked my dad for it but he always said no, I didn't know how to play chess, at 17 I was spending my first christmas with my (now) DH and he surprised me by buying it me and teaching me to play. I've now taught the two oldest of our five children to play on it and will be teaching the other three in due course too.

kingfisherblue

I didn't know if a chess set sounded a bit old fashioned, so I'm glad someone else likes the idea

Bestthingsinlifearefree

What about a nice photo of you and your grandson and then date it and write some special words of wisdom or love on the back and have it framed so he can read the back with out having to take the photo out (if you know what I mean).

In years to come he may grow to love and value the special message / photo from his grandma in her own hand writing.

Best,

iloveboots

Thanks for the idea's,

I have already got the newspaper from the day he was born.

I like the coin idea, my son (14) has some of these, and i had forgotten about them actually, they are really nice too. Might look into that....thanks

Thanks a lot. x

100yoga

I brought my Godson a personalised wooden height chart from this website. It was great quality , £15 inc delivery.

www.simplywoodengifts.co.uk

freddie_2

I would love my DDs and DSs granparents to write them a book with things they remember from their childhood, family memories etc.
Or to record it to tapes/cds for them in the future.