I love birthdays and it is a special time to recognize just the one! It’s tricky to keep gift giving fair for holidays as the grands grow up, but birthdays are all about making it personal, so no comparison necessary. The budget can be the same, but the experience can vary by each child’s preference. Some want to be surprised, others might have a distinct opinion on what makes this day special. For me, it’s all about the time spent together and making memories. Toys break, get lost and outgrow, but the time together is a priceless investment so I’ve appreciated spending one-on-one time with the birthday child during their special week. Here are some ideas to make it personal ….

• Lunch and shopping date. Toys, shoes, skateboard, roller blades, clothes, watch, craft project,
• Try something new together. Sign up for an art class – paint, drawing, pottery, clay modeling, or make a sewing project together. The end product will be a fun memory of the adventure!

• Overnight date with Grandma! Make popcorn and have a movie night. Snuggle with cartoons in the morning and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast!
• Family and cousins bike rodeo in the park and picnic lunch. It’s fun when Grandma tries to keep up with them! We got this!
• There are some great online things to send grandchildren. I love KiwiCo crates. They are available for all ages and the instructions are also age-specific allowing them to complete the project on their own. It’s SO fun to get something in the mail and gives them a project to look forward to. I usually do the three-month package and it becomes the gift that keeps on giving!