Get Them the Gift They Really Want

Some years, your grandkids let you know the one present they want and you make sure they get it. Those are the easy years. Most of the time you are left to hunt for that one great gift that will make them happiest. Don't pester the parents to find out about the latest and the greatest. With our help, you can unearth that special gift on your own — without giving away the surprise. Isn't it every grandparent's goal to make the kids shriek with joy as they rip open the wrapping paper? Here are some fun ideas for giving that perfect gift.

Having kids write a wish list is still a reliable way to learn what they want. Ask the kids to number the gifts on their list based on the thing they most desire. Tell young grandkids to address an envelope to Santa; take a quick peek at the list as you go to "mail" it. Lists from older kids won't require all the make-believe fanfare, but they will provide you with valuable leads. Another route: Teenagers often make Amazon.com wish lists. Simply type in your grandchildren's names or e-mail addresses and everything they ever tagged will appear. Depending on how organized they are, your grandchildren may have prioritized items based on how badly they want them.

Taking your grandchildren on an adventure that creates amazing memories is often better than giving a toy that will sit on a shelf after the novelty wears off.

Don't underestimate cash as a substitute for the year's hottest toy. It may seem boring to give cash but, to kids, a ten-dollar bill feels like a million bucks. Get creative with it; hide the money in packing peanuts or a box of candy. You could even hide it somewhere in the house and give the child a clue for where to find it, treasure hunt style. Promise to take your grandkid to the store to spend it after the holiday craziness is over. If the parents aren't keen on the the kids' receiving cash, give a gift card to a toy store or video game outlet.

Create a pretext for a trip to the mall — shopping for a gift for mom and dad, a present for their teachers, or just an everyday errand. When you pass toy stores with their alluring holiday displays, allow the kids to stop in and take a look at all the amazing products vying for their attention. Pay careful attention to what toys make them ooh and aah. To avoid the holiday crush, visit the malls early in the morning when crowds are smaller.

Glossy catalogs and store circulars put store shelves at kids’ fingertips. Supply the catalogs and markers and tell them to go nuts, circling anything that they might want. Tell them that they won't get everything they circle, but you're sure to come up with a winning gift idea from the choices they make. Some toy catalogs we love: Toys 'R' Us, FAO Schwarz, American Girl, and Wal-Mart.

If your granddaughter carries around a stuffed pony or always talks about horses, surprise her with a private horseback-riding lesson. For your grandson who loves race cars, give him tickets to a NASCAR event or take him to race go-carts. Print the tickets and wrap them in a box so he has something bigger than an envelope to open. Arts and crafts, baseball cards, Pokémon — hobbies are a fertile ground for gifts that kids will love.

You love getting homemade gifts from your grandchildren and they might love getting homemade gifts from you. If you have a skill they marvel at, make something special or teach them that skill they envy. This may be the year to pass along a family heirloom, especially if you catch a grandchild eyeing one. Give them a family or personal item that comes with a great story and share that, too.