Unique & Easy Gift-Giving Ideas for Grandchildren - that Cost Less than $10

It's that time of year again...the season of giving. Still not quite certain what to give Grandparents for the holidays? We've all bought perfumes, lotions, wallets and ties. But what about some unique, novel gifts that are not only pleasing but useful and inexpensive as well? Each year, my own children get caught in the gift-giving dilemma and can't seem to find anything that their grandparents might need or desire. So here are a few, simple gift ideas that may win hearts of grandparents everywhere: Gift Idea 1 - Special Gift Certificates Purchase colorful or seasonal, sturdy craft-paper. Cut into 8 equal segments, and have your children (especially teenagers) decorate one side of the card with small items such as beads, glitter, or simple marker, crayon or colored pencil designs. Now, on the opposite side, have you child write out little gift 'certificates;' redeemable by Grandparents. For example, gift certificates could say: "The Bearer of this Certificate is entitled to... One Free Vacuuming One Free Lawn Mowing One Free Back Massage One Free Car Wash One Free Laundry Day or One Free House Dusting." Of course, any and all of these sayings can be customized to fit the age of the child. Even heart-pleasing sayings like, "One Free Hug," or "One Free Dog Walk," make great gifts and are a simple way of saying, "I Love You." Gift Idea 2 - Elegant Potpourri Warmers Don't know what to do with all those empty glass jelly jars? Here's a novel idea - buy a couple of bags of fresh or festive aromatic potpourri. (Which you can purchase at the local dollar store.) Second, you will need a few, miniature 35-light holiday strands. Third, purchase a few, white or ivory-colored, cloth doilies (also can be bought from a dollar store), a bag of rubber bands, and a roll of gold, silver or preferred color ribbon. Now, once you have all of necessary supplies (usually for less than $10) have your children carefully place one light strand per clean, empty jelly jar; with about 12-18" of plug extended from jar. Next, pack jar with potpourri. Now, place one small, doily over the top of the jar opening. Next, loop a snug-fitting rubber band around the doily and jar to stay in place. Finally, cut a ribbon about 24" in length and pull around doily to disguise the rubber band, and make a simple bow. This simple but elegant gift not only gives off a glowing light, but the warmth of the holiday light strand heats up the potpourri and emits a pleasant scent in any room. Gift Idea 3 - Priceless Ornaments For less than $2, you can buy a box of solid colored, Styrofoam, plastic or glass ball ornaments. Have your children customize these ornaments by decorating them with glitter pens, loose glitter and craft paint. With a little glue, some creativity and a little ingenuity, these personalized ornaments make for great gifts and are truly unique as each one will have its own distinct personality. Gift Idea 4 - Cookies Holiday cookies are always a great gift idea. Children can arrange festive cookies on a colorful, plastic or paper plate. After the arrangement is completed, wrap the entire plate with colorful cellophane paper. Seal with a wire tie or pipe cleaner, then loop a ribbon around the tie. Here's a great holiday cookie recipe: Snow Meringues 3 Egg Whites 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp vanilla Pinch Salt Directions: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spread parchment paper or aluminum foil (dull side up) on a flat cookie sheet. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites. Once soft peaks have formed, fold in sugar, tartar, salt and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on high until stiff peaks form. Taking a tablespoon, drop spoonfulls of meringue onto prepared cookie sheet, carefully swirling tops with spoon, approximately 1 1/2 inches apart from one another. Yields approximately 12-18 (*depending on size of spoondrops). Place in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. When time is up, turn off oven and leave snow meringues in oven an additional 2 hours. After oven time is complete, remove pan and carefully peel meringues off parchment paper or aluminum foil. Serve with a side of whipped cream, hot coffee or tea. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- Most grandparents love getting gifts from the heart. Remember, it's not the value of the gift, it's the thought that goes into it. Hoping all have a wonderful holiday season, I am CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd aka. Lady Camelot Public Relations Director & Staff Writer www.holisticjunction.com www.mediapositiveradio.com