It's that time of year again (hurrah) and time for our best reads for Christmas page...great gift ideas to cater for every taste. Recommendations include fiction, non-fiction, cookery, quizzes and more.
And one very lucky person can win the lot...worth almost £600.
Simply tell us on this thread which gift you are most looking forward to giving this Christmas. It can be big, small, homemade, expensive or free. After all, it's the thought that counts.
Usual Gransnet terms and conditions apply. A winner will be drawn at random at midday on Wednesday 12 December.
I am really looking forward to giving my middle granddaughter her present - she wanted nothing but a huge stuffed Unicorn (she's five) and I found one which is nearly as long as my double bed, in lilac and pink with a rainbow coloured horn and feet! My daughter, her mum, took one look at it, groaned and said OMG that's ghastly - she'll love it! I'm sure that she will!
Having come through a very difficult period in my life I am looking forward to being able to give my family happy smiles and a warm welcome this Christmas (oh and seeing my darling granddaughter's face when she open her Snow White dressing up costume!)
The board book ‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes’ by Helen Oxenbury to my first grandchild who will be 7 months old. The most adorable book ever to the most adorable baby (but I’m biased ?)
I'm looking forward to giving mum her companion cat. She has alzheimer's and mobility issues so is pretty much housebound. I got a cat last year hoping he would be good company for her, but Dustin is very independent and has not turned out to be a lap cat at all. Even though Dustin is much loved I did my research and found something called a companion cat which Is a replica toy like cat which purrs and vibrates like a real cat when stroked. My mum will be able to keep it on her lap and interact with it. I'm hoping it will sooth her and give her company.
For myself. All I wanted to be closed to my family especially my mum and for my grandsons, son, daughter and daughter in law...left book tokens, books and few other small items..
the best presents are the unexpected; but I'm most looking forward to watching my 2 year old grandson opening his gifts of play dough, paints, cookie cutters and a bundle of books - relatively small in cost but will give hours of fun and promote imagination and creative development.
My wonderful other half has had a very stressful year and I have booked us a holiday. I have saved and saved and he has no idea, I cant wait to see his face!
My daughter lives and teaches in the Middle East, but is coming home for Christmas. My present to her is a really traditional Christmas, with home-made cake, pud and mince-pies and all close family invited, a Christmas "just like the ones [she] used to know" so I've saved her favourite tree ornaments for her to place on the tree. The best thing, though, will be seeing her face when the dog welcomes her home - waggy tail like never before....
I've already given my best gift - I bought my Mum a small, musical light up crib, as a pre-Christmas gift. She has dementia, but has always been religious and finds great comfort in it. She cried with delight when I switched it on - it was a cheap gift, but utterly priceless to her. Just seeing her pleasure was a wonderful moment to me.
Can I add (not for the competition) that the best gift anyone can give is money to the Salvation Army or Crisis? Just to know that someone will be having a good Christmas too, thanks to the charities that provide this. Thank you so much
My daughter and son in law are desperately trying to renovate and decorate their house on very little money. We are giving them a great big box with 4 Lego doors wrapped up inside.... And the money to buy 4 real doors hidden at the bottom of all the wrapping! Can't wait to see their faces!
I'm looking forward to giving my fifteen month old granddaughter an animal shape sorter made of wood -'it makes the animal sound when you put the correct piece in.
My favourite gift to give this year is inviting the elderly couple across the road to join us in our family gathering to celebrate Christmas and Boxing Day.