Grandchild's birthday

Does She live locally Mollie ? Surely you will pop in with present and card?
A present means more to a child, and if you think she has enough toys, buy books or craft type things.Children are home early from school, so ask your DIL if you can come ( I mean why wouldn't you be able to, you're her Gran.)

Couldn't you just ask the parents what she'd like so that you can buy it for her? That's what usually happens in our family - giving cash does seem a bit of a cop-out, I'm afraid!

I love that DGS1 has a January birthday as we can treat him with new clothes in the sales and still afford to let him choose something he would like. He will be 5 too and loves to shop so I am taking him shopping and giving his parents a break!

My DGD has her birthday in January. This year she will be 9 so my DH and I have bought a one year subscription to a magazine that she likes to read. Before this we have usually bought her clothes.

Yes, she is local and yes, we did the books and clothes option at Christmas for that same reason. And no, I didn't think we'd get to see her because nothing has been mention so I'm not sure about popping in uninvited. And yes, I can see how it looks like a cop out and now I feel worse than before. Looks like plan B then...

mollie, none of us meant to make you feel worse!

If there's a reason why you'd rather not ask the parents (one of whom is presumably your own DC) what you should buy, a gift card for a local toy shop etc. might be an idea?

I've found that, if I tell my DD to buy presents from me for the children it doesn't register with them that it is, in fact, from their granny. Better to hand the gift to the child even if it isn't actually on their birthday. I realised this when I gave my daughter some money to buy my grandson something when he went to Harry Potter World in lieu of an easter egg [as he had far too many easter eggs] and he said to me ages afterwards 'granny, why didn't you give me an easter egg ]'.It isn't that I desperately want them to know I've bought something but hate that they think I haven't bought anything.

My DiL is an expert at finding web links to items my GC would like for their birthdays/Christmas. Now they are reaching the stage when hard cash is acceptable but I like to give a gift as well. When I asked my youngest GS (8) what he wanted for Christmas, his eyes gleamed and he said,'£10'. So of course he got a £10 note along with his Tardis duvet cover.

My DGS has an early January birthday and when he was younger (now 12) I used to buy a small gift and then deposit some money into his savings account, which was what his parents preferred. I would then buy a summer toy for him - cricket set or whatever - at an appropriate time.

Dgs is 6 at the weekend. This year we have bought presents or rather diverted some from Christmas as he had too many. In previous years we have bought summer toys: slide, sandpit etc. We tend to make a decision based on need that year. Oh and give him a mid year "unbirthday" treat.

Ana, of course not! Just me being my usual daft self...