Confession: I am a last-minute mom. I am the mom who gets the birthday gift on the way to the party and wraps it in the car. I am the mom who rushes to drop my kids off at school in my sweats. And for Valentine’s, I am the mom who runs to the store the day before and grabs whatever box of valentines is left over. But, this year, I decided to try something different. I am preparing early and getting some cute, original DIY valentines ready. If you’re looking for something different too, check out these 25 show-stopping DIY valentines!

1. S’mores Valentine– S’mores are no longer just for the summer with these cute Valentines from Overstuffed .

2. I Dig You, Valentine– Real Housemoms‘s Valentines are the perfect hand out for any kids that love playing in the dirt!

3. Paper Airplane Valentines– I have a 5 year old who would go crazy over these valentines from Lia Griffith!

4. Awesome Sauce– The Search for Imperfection‘s printable makes this valentine simple and easy.

5. Gummy Bear Valentine– The gummy bears make this valentine from Six Time Mommy colorful and yummy!

6. Olaf Valentine– Anyone else’s kids crazy for Frozen? My daughter would be obsessed with One Creative Mommy‘s Olaf valentines.

7. Conversation Heart Soap– I used to not like conversation hearts, but these soaps from A Pumpkin and a Princess definitely changed my mind!

8. Valentines Chocolate Box– Our simple valentines chocolate box is perfect for hiding surprises inside, like candy or even a ring? (wink, wink) Find it at This Grandma is Fun!

9. Valentine Donuts– I don’t know about your family, but in ours, there is no greater gift of love than donuts. Share the love with Eighteen25‘s amazing design.

10. Heart Shaped Crayons– Make Valentines colorful with Princess Pinky Girl‘s heart crayons.

11. I “Chews” You– This valentine from Crazy Little Projects is sure to be the hit at any Valentine’s Day party!

12. Pirate Valentine– Short Stop Designs‘s valentines AAAARRR fun treasures for young pirates!

13. You the “Bomb”– Make Life Lovely‘s bath bomb valentines are the perfect way to pamper friends and family.

14. Valentine Pompom Monster–
We love these cute, fuzzy monsters from Practically Functional!

15. You Make My Heart Race– These valentines from Hello, Wonderful are too cute!

16. Fortune Cookie Valentine– We love this original idea from Evermine!

17. You’re One in a “Minion”– I feel like this valentine from The Benson Street was made for me haha. I can’t get enough of the minions!

18. Unicorn Valentine Foam Hearts– This valentine from The DIY Mommy is absolutely magical!

19. Soda Valentine– If you’d like to buy the world a coke, you’ll love this valentine from Bullock’s Buzz.

20. You A-maze Me– We love this fun take on valentines from Lil Luna!

21. Lip Balm Valentine– I don’t know about your family, but my kids looooove lip balm. They would be thrilled to receive Landeelu‘s valentine!

22. Rubber Duck Valentine– Kids will go quackers over Positively Splendid‘s valentines!

23. Valen-slime– Nothing says love like heart-shaped slime! Find this valentine at Kids Activities.

24. Ring Pop Valentine– Question: why has no one ever come up with socially acceptable, edible jewelry for grown-ups? I would love to have a delicious ring that I can slowly eat throughout the day, but that also looks amazing with my outfit. Is that so wrong? Check out this valentine at The Gracious Wife.

25. You Color My World– Add a little color to Valantine’s Day with this valentine from 5 Minutes for Mom!

The post 25 Show-Stopping DIY Valentines appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

In a galaxy far, far away, parents and spouses searched frantically for gifts to give their loved ones. With Christmas fast approaching, and stores quickly being emptied, the people became hopeless. While many wanted to give up, there were some who continued on, desperately seeking the perfect gift. They scoured the land near and far, looking for help. As they turned to the Internet to help with their shopping woes, many came across a blog that satisfied their endless searching. With the help of This Grandma is Fun and their 21 Essential Gifts for Star Wars Fans, these parents and spouses had the Force on their side. They finally began their journey to the perfect Christmas gift…

1. Star Wars BB8 Waffle Maker– Start your Star Wars fan’s day right with a BB8 waffle!

2. R2D2 USB Charger– Who knew charging something could be so exciting?

3. Yoda Geeki Tiki– Time for a space themed luau!

4. Death Star Measuring Cups– For the Star Wars baker…

5. Light Up Chop Sabers– Eating noodles will never be the same!

6. R2-D2 Dress– For the biggest fan girls, this dress is the perfect thing!

7. “I love you”/”I know” Rings– For anyone who a relationship like Princess Leia and Han Solo, they’ll love these rings!

8. Darth Vader Pillow– Cuddle time with Darth Vader. Who wouldn’t want that?

9. Family Car Decals– Forget the stick figures, and try out these fun decals!

10. BB-8 Backpack Buddy– Perfect for school!

11. R2D2 Bento Lunch Box– Your kid will be the coolest kid at the cafeteria table with this lunch box!

12. Darth Vader Zip-up Hoodie– Join the Dark Side with this sweater!

13. Alphabet Tees– Teach your child the ABCs with Star Wars Alphabet shirts!

14. Yoda Plush– Who knew Yoda was so snuggly?

15. Death Star Mood Light– Aaah, yes, the serenity of the Death Star glow at night…

16. Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Phone Case– Maybe a little creepy looking, but also a really effect!

17. Ewok Hooded Scarf– Keep warm and look like an adorable alien teddy bear with this scarf!

18. Darth Vader Pen Holder– I’d be kind of afraid to take the pen from him.

19. R2D2 Mug– Drinking a hot beverage from anything else after a mug like this would just be plain boring.

20. Storm Trooper Slippers– Nothing like the feeling of a Storm Trooper keeping your feet nice and toasty.

21. Princess Leia Beanie– Get the ‘do without all the effort, all while keeping your ears warm!

The post 21 Essential Gifts for Star Wars Fans appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Darth Vader Holiday Sweater Socks– Keep those toes warm with these socks from the Dark Side.

2. Adventure Time Watch– For your cartoon fan, try this easy to read watch!

3. Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge– If your little guy loves a challenge, then he will love this game!

4. RC Helicopter– Your little boy will be the envy of his friends flying this guy around!

5. Kinetic Sand– For littler boys, they will love shaping and sculpting with kinetic sand! And lucky you, it’s easy to clean up!

6. Pokeball Backpack– If your child is obsessed with catching them all, he will love this backpack!

7. Chewbacca Pj– What little boy doesn’t dream of being Chewbacca?! And it’s so cozy too!

8. Mini Fossil Dig– Boys love digging, so this little fossil dig is sure to be a hit!

9. Minecraft Survivor Book of Secrets– For the MineCraft lover, this book will become his best friend (but obviously, you’ll be the Bestest Friend, since you gave it to him!).

10. Revell Big Boy Locomotive– Every boy I know loves trains. They are pretty cool after all! This model set is fun to put together and fun to watch!

11. Two-Way Radio Set– The way cooler, far more interactive alternative to a cell phone!

12. Superhero 3D Wall Light– “By Thor’s hammer!”

13. Battle Moves Pikachu– Ah yes. Back to Pokemon. The great passion of a boy’s life! And you gotta admit, you love Pikachu too.

14. Star Wars Crystal Growing Lab– A Star Wars science experiment!

15. Pirate Dig Kit– Yaaas! More dirt to dig around in! Let the excavation begin!

16. Electronics for Kids– For your little scientist, try this fun introduction to electricity!

17. DC Plush– Who wouldn’t want to cuddle with Superman (though your little boy would probably never admit that…)?

18. PowerUp Paper Airplane– A fun twist to a classic!

19. Tie Not Water Balloon Filler– Watch out. When the weather gets warmer, this thing will start a war…

20. Seedling Design Your Own Dragon– Don’t worry. It doesn’t breathe fire!

21. Marvel Little Golden Books– Yes, it’s true. Super heroes now have their own Little Golden Books. I know it’s not meant to be, but seriously, how cute?!

The post 21 Brilliant Christmas Toys for Boys appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Star Wars Darth Vader Helmet 3D Mug with Removable Lid– For those who love their coffee on “the Dark Side,” (you see what I did there?) try this Darth Vader mug!

2. Chomping Shark Slippers for Grown Ups– Wouldn’t these feel so nice to slip into under a desk at work?

3. Infectious Disease Stress Ball– Help your coworker relieve stress by squeezing the guts out of an infectious disease. Oh yeah, that feels good…

4. Ugly Christmas Sweater– Who wouldn’t want to be seen wearing this bad boy to the office Christmas party? I mean, c’mon, there’s penguins!

5. Flux Capacitor USB Charger– Your coworker will feel like they’re going back to the future with this USB charger!

6. Sneakiest Uses for Every Day Things– If you read the cover, you will see why this book would be valuable in a work place.

7. Nintendo Link Hoodie– For the video gamer, this sweater is sure to be a game winner!

8. Bag of Holding– Not your average carrier bag, it is The Bag of Holding! What a powerful name!

9. Perplexus maze ball– A nice little puzzle for any break time.

10. Soyan 3D Printing Pen– Did you know you can now 3D draw? Give the office doodler a pen upgrade with this 3D printing pen!

11. Ninja Socks– If your coworker is a ninja in the office, they will love these socks!

12. Harry Potter Adult Coloring Book– If your coworker is more wizard than muggle, try giving them a Harry Potter coloring book! A great way to relax during break time!

13. USB Squirming Tentacle– Watch out! It’s alive!!!

14. Justice League Card Case– Now your coworker can feel like a super hero whenever they pull out their business cards.

15. Elegance Chocolate Cookie Gift Box– Cookies. Need I say more?

16. Rosewill Rosewood Noise Isolating Earbuds– If your coworker loves to get lost in the music, try giving them these noise isolating earbuds. Bonus- you’ll be able to sneak up on them so much easier for a fun little scare!

17. Zombie Survival Guide– This may not seem important, but it is. You never know when the Zombie Apocalypse could hit.

18. Exploding Kittens– This game is hysterical. For the quirky person with a great sense of humor, they will love this game.

19. Serendipity Frrrozen Hot Chocolate– If you’ve had Frozen Hot Chocolate before, you know why this is a must!

20. Someecards Year in a Box Calendar– For those who need their daily dose of sass, give them this funny calendar.

21. Table Topics– Everyone dreads the awkward pause of silence that inevitably comes in a group of people. Help out your coworker with this stack of Table Topics cards.

The post 21 Unique Christmas Gifts for Coworkers appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Ice cream maker– Yaaas! Homemade ice cream is the best ice cream! What a delicious way to settle into a new home!

2. Trader Joe’s Starter Spice Kit– A convenient way to start getting those cupboards filled.

3. Funplaza 3D Nightlamp– For something unique, try one of these night lamps. They come in different shapes and colors too!

4. Appetites: A Cookbook– For those friends with a golden palate (ahem- my brother inlaw), try this cookbook by Anthony Bourdain, featuring a global array of flavors.

5. Chalkboard Labels– The perfect thing to start getting organized in a new house!

6. Throw Pillow– Not only is this a beautiful quote, but the pillow itself is quite comfy.

7. Aroma Diffuser– Help get rid of any odd smells in a new home with an aroma diffuser!

8. Welcome “Hello” Mat– Cue Adele.

9. Indoor Smart Planter– For your friend who loves fresh herbs, or other garden produce, try this smart planter that grows it all inside!

10. Chanasya Faux Fur Throw Blanket– Look at this luxurious blanket! Who wouldn’t want to snuggle under that?!

11. Key Holder– The best thing about this key holder is that it’s multifunctional!

12. Yankee Candle Autumn Wreath– Nothing warms up a home more than a cozy scented candle!

13. Acacia Serving Bowl– I love this bowl. It’s got an earthy, cultured feel to it.

14. Terrarium– I have seen terrariums every where lately! A beautiful, living decoration for a new home.

15. Floating Book Shelves– Whaaa?! It’s like magic!

16. Glass canisters– When I see glass canisters, I can’t help but think the food in them is too pretty to eat. Not only are they great for organizing, but they make great decorations on the counter!

17. Slate cheese boards– This slate board is not only classy, but you can write on it! If your friends love hosting parties, they will love this cheese board!

The post 17 Ultimate Housewarming Gifts appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Alex and Ani “Charity By Design” Best Friends Bangle Bracelets– I love the simple beauty of these bracelets!

2. Me & My BIG Ideas Boxed Album Kit– For your crafty friend, she is sure to love this scrap booking kit!

3. Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate– If you really want to treat your friend, try this sweet treat! 

4. Malden Storyboard Frame– This frame speaks the truth!

5. Pocket Posh Word Search– Help your friend keep herself occupied while waiting for the bus with this stylish word search booklet.

6. Studio Oh! Journal– For your writer friend, get her a cute journal or notebook like this one from Studio Oh!

7. Macarons– This is what I want my best friend to get me. Yum!

8. Burlap Pillow – If you love laughing with your BFF (who doesn’t?!), try gifting her with this oddly truthful, burlap pillow.

9. Verdugo Gift Co Warm Vanilla Spa Basket– Pamper your best friend with this spa basket!

10. Photo Clip String Set– This is a fun way to display pictures your friend is sure to love!

11. Tabletopics Questions to Start Great Conversations– For your talkative friend, try out these creative questions!

12. Vera Bradley Cosmetic Bag– These makeup bags are stylish and affordable!

13.  Rosebud Tin Set– These lip balms are always a special treat with their amazing moisture and scent!

14. Autobalm Face Palette– For the makeup artist, try giving her this fun face palette!

15. Pride & Prejudice– This goes out to the die-hard chick-flick fans out there! Two words- Colin Firth.

16. Fujifilm Instax Camera-To better document all the awesomeness that is your friendship, give your friend this cute polaroid camera!

17. Dll Daisy Skirt Apron– If your BFF loves the kitchen, try giving her one of these cute, stylish aprons. There’s quite a variety to chose from!

The post 17 Christmas Gifts for Best Friends appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Rocky Bluray Collection– I think this is the one movie series that brings tears to my husband’s eyes. Definitely a winner!

2. Beardo Hat– If your man’s face is ever cold after a shave, take out the beardo!

3. The Official John Wayne Way to Grill– Is there anyone manlier than John Wayne? I don’t know that there’s a better cook book for boyfriends out there!

4. Van Der Hagen Men’s Luxury Shave Set– This one might be more for you than for him if you love kissing a nice, clean shaven face!

5. Remington The Crafter: Beard Boss Style and Detail Kit– Help your man keep his beard in ship-shape with these beard trimmers.

6. The Shredded Chef– If your boyfriend loves working out, then give him this cook book to help him build those muscles!

7. EcoCity Backpack– For men who love a more classic style, check out these backpacks – perfect for school books and laptops!

8. AquaAudio Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers– Do you have a shower singer? Let him rock out with these speakers!

9. Camden Gear Hydration Pack– For your handsome hiker, try one of these best selling hydration packs!

10. Bacon Body Wash– Mmmmm, the savory smell of bacon in the shower!

11. Smartband Fitness Tracker Smart Watch – This smart watch does it all! It’s a reminder, calendar, music player, sleep monitor, camera, and it’s sweatproof!

12. Under Armour Men’s Rival Fleece Hoodie– What guy doesn’t love to wear comfort? Say hello to this sweatshirt from Under Armour!

13. Cardboard TV Ipad Stand– What dude wouldn’t love this? Now he can feel like he’s at home, crashing on the couch, watching his favorite show wherever he goes!

14. SCSk8 Longboard– A fun, easy way for your boyfriend to get from place to place.

15. Coleman Sundome Tent– If your boyfriend loves adventure, try out this 2 person tent.

16. Shark socks– If you want to make your guy laugh, give him a pair of these shark socks!

17. Cards Against Humanity– For men with a sense of humor, they’ll have a blast playing this game with you and friends!

18. Ninja Cufflinks– Is your man a ninja? Then he’ll love this fun,  little gift he can wear!

19. Zinsoko Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones– This one goes out to the music lover! Let him get lost in his favorite songs with these amazing headphones.

The post 19 Ultimate Christmas Gifts for Boyfriends appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?  If you purchase something we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting our blog!  For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

1. Broadway Basketeers Token of Appreciation Gift Tower– So much chocolate, I’m gonna die!

2. Chocolate, Caramel, and Crunch Grand Gift Basket– Nothing like the heavenly combination of salty and sweet!

3. Godiva Chocolatier Classic Gold Ballotin– Look at these chocolates. Just look at them. They look fit for a queen! I’ll order this one for myself!

4. Ferrero Rocher Gift Box– Send this one, and your loved ones will be in heaven for days!

5. Hershey’s Golden Almond Chocolate Bar– Aaah, the decadence of almond and chocolate in one beautiful bar!

6. Godiva Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels– Oh my word, I’m drooling! So rich, so sweet, so crunchy!

7. Broadway Basketeers Photo Gift Box Collection– Love this idea! The chocolate box doubles as a keepsake!

8. De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Sprinkles / Chocoladehagel Melk– I love this stuff! It was always a special treat for me when I visited my cousins growing up. I highly recommend it!

9. Heritage Drinking Chocolate Gift Tin– The perfect drink for Christmas!

10. Vermont Country Chocolate Gift Basket– I love the rustic feel to this chocolate gift basket!

11. Ritter Sport Kakao (Cocoa) Mousse in Alpine Milk Chocolate– A perfect stocking stuffer!

12. Tremendous Tin of Squares Chocolates– A chocolate a day keeps the doctor away!

13. Ultimate Berries – Assortment Gift– These berries are a fun twist on traditional chocolate strawberries!

14. Peanut Butter Chocolates– I’m sending these to my husband! He is a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter!

15. Milka Milk Chocolate with Caramel Filling– I personally would love to pull this out of my stocking!

The post 15 Best Chocolate Christmas Gifts appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

“I was standing on the platform of a railway depot watching a mainline train come in. Memory does not tell me where I was or why I was there, only that I was very young, that the weather was cold and my clothing was not good enough to keep me warm.

The train created a further chilling breeze as it shuddered to a stop with one of the dining car windows directly in front of me. Then, for the first time in my life I had a glimpse of opulence, the contrast between luxury and want, the gap between those who have much and those who have little.

There, behind a large glass window sat men and women in warm and well lighted comfort, dressed in fine clothing, talking, laughing and eating. If they noticed a shivering little boy outside their window gazing in at them in wonder, they did not show it. Nor could they have known that within that small boy at that time was born a determination that things would not always be that way from him.”

This is a small segment from our grandfather’s book. It is a collection of thoughts and stories from his time as an agricultural technician in the U.S. Governments Foreign Aid program between 1957 and 1967. This was a moment in his life that propelled him to get an education that changed the trajectory of his life forever.

He never told me this story. I didn’t know this story until I read it in his book and that was after he passed away. The book was intended for publication, but the manuscript sits in a 3 ring binder on my bookshelf with each page carefully placed in a page protector. It is in what I call my special collections section, the place on my bookshelf that holds the books I most cherish.

I know, we want to be hero at Christmas and birthdays. If I had received that book as a Christmas gift from Grandpa when I was a kid, my thank you note would have been short. But here’s the thing. I don’t remember a single Christmas or birthday gift from my grandparents. I didn’t keep any of them. But the book is on a special shelf. Here’s my two cents that you didn’t ask for. Give them a great present this Christmas. One they will love you for! The perfect thing. The one they will lose and probably forget that will make them feel loved when they open it. Scour the mall, hit the sales and make sure they know you care about them this holiday. At the same time, and they may not even know it, you can give them a gift that will last, will not be forgotten, and may help them cope in times of serious distress, help them be more well adjusted, more resilient, have more confidence.

Tell them your story. One of the most important roles we can play as Grandparents is family historian. [A. Kornhaber, 1996, Contemporary Grandparenting, Thousand Oaks, Ca:Sage] Grandparents are a link to the past and can provide continuity between generations. When grandparents share stories of their childhood, their families and their past, they can give a sense of identity. And your family story may do even more.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it is the perfect chance to take time share memories while playing a game, eating a meal together, washing dishes and helping to clean up. But why does it matter and what difference will it make?

You have heard of 20 questions? THE 20 questions? I am not talking about the classic game. I am talking about the Do You Know 20 questions developed by psychologist Marshall Duke and his wife. I first read about it in The New York Times article The Ties That Bind. Dr. Duke’s wife noticed in her work with children with disabilities that the children who knew more about their families were better able to face challenges. So Dr. Duke and colleague Robyn Fivush developed their own 20 questions to test the hypothesis. And what do you know? The children who knew more answers to these questions was a significant predictor of their emotional health.

So, I could just print the 20 questions here and you could type out the answers, make your grandkids memorize them and we would have both wasted our time.

Consider this from the researchers:

“In our study of family stories at the Emory University Family Narratives Project funded by the Sloan Foundation, we found that family stories seem to be transferred by mothers and grandmothers more often than not and that the information was typically passed during family dinners, family vacations, family holidays, and the like. Other data indicated that these very same regular family dinners, yearly vacations, and holiday celebrations occur more frequently in families that have high levels of cohesiveness and that they contribute to the development of a strong sense of what we have called the intergenerational self. It is this intergenerational self and the personal strength and moral guidance that seem to derive from it that are associated with increased resilience, better adjustment, and improved chances of good clinical and educational outcomes.” — [Duke, M.P., Lazarus, A., & Fivush, R. (2008). Knowledge of family history as a clinically useful index of psychological well-being and prognosis: A brief report. Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 45, 268-272.]

So while it is about telling your story, it kind of has nothing to do with the story. Maybe it has more to do with the relationship the story creates. It makes me wonder if part of the magic is that these are the kinds of personal stories we share when we spend quantities of quality time.  So while you spend time with family this Thanksgiving and Christmas whether it is in person, on the computer or phone, remember to share the better gift. The gift of yourself. We know that family relationships are not easy. We know that not all stories are happy. And that is part of the gift!

There are three types of stories mentioned in the article that are of benefit. With Number 3 being the best! It is the oscillating narrative where we share our family’s ups and downs and how we survived it. Knowing that my grandfather came from humble beginnings and worked so hard to get an education has stuck with me. I am stronger because of that story. I am proud of that heritage.

Don’t force it. Not all stories are appropriate. And the timing has to be right. Use wisdom. And right them down! Start a journal. A book like my grandfather’s was a long term labor of love; one we are still benefitting from. Start the special collections section this season. It is the best gift. Don’t know where to start? Start with the questions from the study and then make up some of your own!

20 Do You Know Questions

1. Do you know how your parents met?Y N
2. Do you know where your mother grew up?Y N
3. Do you know where your father grew up?Y N
4. Do you know where some of your grandparents grew up?Y N
5. Do you know where some of your grandparents met?Y N
6. Do you know where your parents were married?Y N
7. Do you know what went on when you were being born?Y N
8. Do you know the source of your name?Y N
9. Do you know some things about what happened when your brothers or sisters were being born?Y N
10. Do you know which person in your family you look most like?Y N
11. Do you know which person in the family you act most like?Y N
12. Do you know some of the illnesses and injuries that your parents experienced when they were younger?Y N
13. Do you know some of the lessons that your parents learned from good or bad experiences?Y N
14. Do you know some things that happened to your mom or dad when they were in school?Y N
15. Do you know the national background of your family (such as English, German, Russian, etc)?Y N
16. Do you know some of the jobs that your parents had when they were young?Y N
17. Do you know some awards that your parents received when they were young?Y N
18. Do you know the names of the schools that your mom went to?Y N
19. Do you know the names of the schools that your dad went to?Y N
20. Do you know about a relative whose face “froze” in a grumpy position because he or she did not smile enough?Y N

The post The Best Gifts For Grandkids appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This post contains affiliates links. For more information, click to see our disclosure policy.

How can The Book with No Pictures be a favorite?

Just read it in your silliest voice to find out.

What! Cried Granny  is one of my grandkids all time favorite.

Do YOU have everything you need for your grandkids to spend the night?

In Frank and Ernest, they run a diner for a day.  What do you think “Nervous Pudding” is?

How can things go wrong when you have Chickens to the Rescue?

There is also Pigs to the Rescue, Cows to the Rescue and Duck to the Rescue.

Kids LOVE anticipating the tickle that’s coming with the book Tickle Monster.

You can also purchase the Tickle Mitts that go along with this story.

Classics never fail.  I remember reading Are You My Mother? when I was a little girl.

What do you name a dog that has bad breath?  Hally Tosis of course.

My grandkids are entranced when I read this book, Dog Breath.

You thought you knew the story of the Three Little Pigs.  You thought wrong.

Here’s The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs.

Winning a Caldecott Honor Award, kids love the wacky stories in

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Are you having a Grover’s Bad Awful Day?

Your kids will love hearing what happens to Grover in this Sesame Street book.

The post Favorite Books to read to my Grandkids appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Valentine Glitter and Stripes Wall Art

Cupid’s Arrow Love Letters

Valentine’s Day Banner

Clothespin Heart Wreath

Valentine Printable (Free!)

XOXO Valentine Decor

Stitched Heart Garland

Valentine’s Day Votive

Valentine Subway Art (printable)

Felt Heart Garland

Marbled Valentine Ring Dish

Stitched Valentine Treat Bag

Click here to see thirteen more fun ideas for Valentine’s Day.

The post 25 of Our Best Valentine Ideas! appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Valentine Pop Top Cans

O-Fish-al Valentines

Heart Attack (Free Printables!)

Valentine Candy Dish

Valentine Chocolate Box

Valentine Popcorn Snack Mix

Sprinkle Rimmed Milk Glass

Valentine Suckers

Crazy For You Cake

Chocolate Heart Cups

Soda Valentines

Popcorn Valentines

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Click on the picture below to see the

The post More of our Favorite Ideas for Valentine’s Day appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Peppermint Oreo Pops (Ours!)

Cran-Pistachio Cookies from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Chocolate Dipped Macaroons from Something Swanky

Salted Caramel Chocolate Pillows (Ours!)

Cherry Chocolate Crinkle Cookies from The Weary Chef

Gingerbread Man Cookies for Kids (Ours)

Chocolate Toffee Cookies from My Baking Addiction

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Eggnong Cookies from Cooking Classy

Mini Gingerbread House Cookies from Cake Time

Holiday Chalkboard Sugar Cookies from A Turtle’s Life for Me

*****

Christmas Cookie Workshop Recipes 1-10

Christmas Cookie Workshop Recipes 11-20

The post Christmas Cookie Workshop Recipes 21-30 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

For our features today, we thought we’d help out anyone who needs ideas for Mother’s Day this weekend.  In other words, leave this page open on your husband’s and/or older child’s computer.  (You’re welcome.)   Here are some terrific last minute ideas you can use for brunch and gifts on Mother’s Day.

For Brunch (or Breakfast in Bed):

Lemon Pull Apart Sweet Rolls from The First Year Blog

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Pearl Onion Quiche from Frugal Mom Eh!

Sugar Free Banana French Toast Bake from Life In My Empty Nest

Cinnamon Peach Flan from True Blue Baking

Cinnamon Chip Scones from Tastes of Lizzy T

Gifts You Can Make For Mom:

DIY Moss Wreath from Simply Suzanne’s

Washi Tape Candles from Titi Crafty

DIY Custom Framed Art from Live Love Liz

“Cornishware” Ruffled Shopping Bag from Sum of Their Stories

Gold Glittery Mason Jars from Sprout’s House

Leather Handle Box from Learning, Creating, Living

Gold Dipped Plant Pots from Homey Oh My

We hope you were as inspired by these featured links as we were!   Please come back  for our next Super Saturday Link Party, starting at 7 P.M. EST on Friday night!  And keep an eye on your social media over the weekend, too.  We like to showcase links that catch our eye during the party via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  You might see your link featured there!

The post Share It Thursday from Super Saturday #42 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.