Gifts for All Sorts of Grandparents
Buying your grandparents’ presents isn’t easy. New ideas are tricky to come up with, so chocolates and high-street vouchers are always on the cards, despite the fact they’re hardly mind blowing. So to try and help you figure out another option, I’ve done a bit of homework. Below you’ll see the 1964 findings of Neugarten and Weinstein. Now I’ll openly admit that I’d never heard of Neugarten and Weinstein. And frankly, there’s every chance that this time next week I’ll have forgotten what on Earth it is they’re supposed to have done. Nevertheless, these two chaps – I’m assuming they’re chaps, sorry ladies – are the guys responsible for outlining five primary grandparenting styles. Below are four of them, so all you need to do is identify what category your grandparents fall into and then get yourself online, where you’ll find a whole range of personalised gifts for grandparents. I can’t promise it’ll answer your prayers, but it might help you out a little bit.
Formal
Formal grandparents are basically your traditionalists who believe in a “proper role”. They’re very reliable, so they’re probably the sort who babysat you when you were small. Chances are they also spoilt you from time to time as well. They never stuck their noses in too much when it came to how you parents were raising you, and to this day they maintain a real interest in the family. They expect the grandkids to have good manners, be neat, clean and composed. Gifts ideas for grandparents of the formal persuasion – you can’t go wrong with treating them to an afternoon out. A trip to Blenheim Palace perhaps? Maybe tea for two at Harrods?
Fun Seekers
Pretty self explanatory this one. Essentially they want an informal and fun relationship with their grandchildren, so they’re the sorts who are always up for joining in with exciting activities. And because their grandkids are the source of their fun, the concept of ruling with an ‘iron fist’ is completely ridiculous. In fact, the grandparents’ main concern is that their grandkids are happy and get along well with others. Gifts for grandparents of the fun-seeking persuasion – horse racing experiences are always good fun, especially if they’ve never been before. Or there’s the option of treating them to a Champagne balloon flight. The very brave could even have a flying lesson.
Wise
Neugarten and Weinstein suggest wise grandparents tend to be the grandfathers. Apparently he has an authoritarian relationship where skill and wisdom is imparted on his grandkids. It’s also a set-up where the roles are clearly defined between the two generations – the idea being the grandchildren grow up to be honest, responsible and blessed with plenty of common sense. Sound like either of your grandparents? Then gifts ideas for grandparents of the wise persuasion might include a jigsaw or perhaps a historic map of the area they live in. Whisky and wine also have a wise vibe about them, so you could also think about personalising a bottle with their name and a message.
Surrogate
This time it’s the turn of the grandmothers to hold sway over a category. Surrogate grandparents take care of the grandchildren in the absence of the parents. Just like any responsible parents, these grandparents want their grandkids to try their best, have respect for others, work hard at school or in work and be law abiding. All the usual stuff really. Gifts for grandparents of the surrogate persuasion – a dinner and theatre combo should do the trick. Failing that there are all sorts of diaries and calendars.
Find great gifts for grandparents at GoneDigging. Our gifts come from the heart and are personalised to give a heartfelt treasure to make them smile, whatever the occasion.
Processing your request, Please wait....
