Clutter Free Gift Ideas For Grandparents

There is a challenge that exists today for grandparents and parents alike. Grandparents want to find the perfect gifts for their grandchildren, and many of today’s children often already have more toys than they know what to do with.  Parents also struggle with the issue of having too much toy clutter in their children’s bedrooms.

I frequently get calls from parents who have contacted me because they are struggling with their children’s clutter.  Often, grandparents are major contributors to this clutter. Parents cringe each time another gift is lovingly delivered, because it will inevitably require a place to live within the already crammed storage spaces of their child’s room. The following is a list of helpful suggestions for dealing with this issue as the holidays approach and children’s birthdays come and go.
 
Communication Is Key
If you are a parent with this problem, having an open conversation with your parents or in-laws is a good place to start.  Help them understand that your child does not need more toys and that you don’t have room for them.  To ensure that the conversation stays light and positive, be sure not to blame them for the clutter that your child has already accumulated. Then, provide them with a list of suggestions for useful gift ideas and be sure that they have several options to choose from.  Because grandparents struggle with finding gifts that will actually be appreciated and used, a list of ideas is sure to be well received. 
 
Experience Gifts
As an alternative to traditional gifts, provide your parents or in-laws with ideas for tickets or gift certificates that offer fun or educational experiences. Experience gifts offer the additional bonus of providing an opportunity and an excuse for making special memories with that child. The activity can either be spent with a grandparent, or provide your own family with a special activity to do together. I have listed some ideas for experience gifts below:
                     
Movie Theater
Favorite restaurant   
Ice cream, cupcake, cookie or yogurt shop 
Zoo passes
Children’s Museum or other Museum
Educational classes such as music, art or dance lessons
Martial arts classes
Family get-away to a favorite destination
Play  or music concert  
Family Fun Centers
Ice Skating, bowling, miniature golf
Sports event
For Girls – manicures or pedicures
Special activity night with grandparent to bake, do crafts or go fishing
 
Gift Certificate Ideas for Useful Gifts
Gift certificates to stores can also be given with the intent to purchase more practical items such as the following:
Athletic Stores where sports gear or clothing can be purchased
Music Store if your child plays an instrument
Favorite Clothing Store where school clothes will be purchased
Department or Super Store to purchase school supplies and/or backpacks
 
Gift Baskets
With a little creativity, Grandparents can make personalized gift baskets filled with fun consumable items.  The possibilities for these are endless, and can be personalized according to the child's hobbies and interests.  Here are few examples:
Snack Basket full of an assortment of favorite snacks
Movie Night Basket with a favorite movie, a variety of popcorn, drinks and candy
Baking Basket full of all the things needed to bake and decorate a batch of cupcakes
 
Give Giftster a Try
If your parents or in-laws are even just a little tech savvy, I recommend giving this helpful service a try; Giftster.com is a private, web and mobile based gift registry connecting family and close friends. It is a group gift wish list and is completely free. It allows family and friends to list their gift preferences so that others can make purchases using the list.  This is a great gift buying resource for the whole family and is easy to use. Giftster will ensure that everyone receives gifts that they really want and appreciate.

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