For those whose grandchildren live a long way away, choosing the perfect gift can be even more important, to show that you’re thinking of them over all the miles that stand between you. Opting for a present that is as personalized as possible is the best idea, and with a little creative thinking, you can come up with the perfect option.
Use the list below to get some inspiration for gifts to send grandkids who live abroad that’ll convey just how much you miss and love them.
Personalized Gifts
If your grandkids live abroad, most likely, you don’t get to see them too often; a personalized gift is a great way to remember the special times you’ve had together and, when they miss you, is a lovely reminder of the love you share for each other. A Smart-Frame pre-loaded with snapshots of you all together and with pictures of a special holiday, or the last time they visited, makes for a wonderful gift. You can even set it so that you can send new snaps directly to the device to surprise them with new photos regularly!
Other personalized gift ideas include mugs, cushions, or soft toys that feature a special message from you to them or even a photo. Customized jewelry that incorporates their names and birthstones also makes for gorgeous gifts that will let them know how much you care.
Send an eCard
E-greetings cards are now available in a nearly infinite range of choices, so you can find the perfect card that reflects your grandchild’s unique personality. An interactive e-Card is a fun way to show that you’re thinking of your special person across the miles, and – unlike regular post – you know it’s not going to be delayed or get lost in the system. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly option, too!
You may want to look for a happy birthday e-card that you can share via social media or a hand painted eCard mini work of art. There’s even the option of downloading e-Card software so that you can have fun designing and creating your own greeting card.
Disposable Camera
Why not send your grandkids a disposable camera each, and ask them to take snaps of their day, including the things they love to do, other family members, and pets, for example. Include a pre-paid envelope so that they can send their camera back to you once it’s full of photos! Children will love the novelty of using the camera to take photographs, and – even better – you’ll get some lovely pictures and insights into their lives.
Subscription Box
Your grandchild will appreciate the excitement of getting a surprise subscription package in the mail every month, and you can enjoy chatting on the phone about what was included in the parcel! Choose from a wide range of subscriptions to reflect their interests or passions: you could opt for a monthly book box, a craft magazine, or, for old grandchildren, a pamper package.
A Home-From-Home Hamper
Creating a hamper of items that will make your grandchild think of your hometown or country is a great idea to help keep you connected and also will remind them of their previous visits. While it’s not possible to send foodstuffs abroad, you could put together a basket that contains items that are unique or are associated with your area, such as English Breakfast tea bags if you live in the UK or traditional beaded jewelry if you’re based in Spain, along with a selection of postcards, a local guidebook, and some touristy items like keyrings and themed stationery.
Virtual Experiences
For an unusual gift that you can all enjoy as a family, opt for an experience package, such as a virtual escape room puzzle. Typically, once purchased, you’ll be able to send this gift as an email voucher, and your grandchild can then log on and sign up for a session on a date and time that’s convenient to all the participants. This is a great opportunity for some challenging family fun – work as a team to solve the puzzle against the clock – and makes for a unique and unexpected present.
Create a Video
Sometimes the most precious presents can’t be purchased in a store. A truly lovely gift would be a video that you’ve shot, featuring messages to your grandchild along with those from any other relatives that live nearby. Film various moments of your day over the course of a week or so and take your grandchild on a virtual ‘walk’ around your hometown or village, narrating as you go. If you like, create a soundtrack of songs that have meaning for you as a family to make your video extra special. Alternatively, have a go at creating a digital scrapbook by curating a collection of photos, videos, audio, and text, and add music and a voice-over to tie all the components together.
A home video or virtual scrapbook sent on a memory stick or via email is a present that they’ll treasure forever and can watch whenever they miss you.
Plane Tickets
And finally, if you want to splash out on an older grandchild, perhaps the best gift of all is a plane ticket for them to come to visit! Surprise your loved one with a ticket tucked into a greetings card, and then enjoy planning your reunion and counting down until that airport bear hug!
