With the constraints of living on a fixed income, and most of her monthly government check heading towards doctors visits, and utilities, life gave Grandma little opportunity to shower her little babies even one gift at Christmas. Because, if you give to one, it’s only fair you give to all. I’m wondering now, how Grandma must have felt to see each child, empty handed, year after year on Christmas and birthdays.

Empty-handed, is probably not an accurate picture. Grandma spent most of her time in her tinny little kitchen making hard-tack candy, popcorn balls, taffy, peanut brittle, thumbprint cookies, and soft butterscotch candies wrapped in waxed paper. The hard-tack candy was the most labor-intensive. The slab of marble, pouring the green, red, yellow hot syrup, and reading that candy thermometer until the temperature was exactly right. And who could forget that little bottle of wintergreen flavoring?

As the youngest of all her grandchildren (not counting the Great Grandchildren), my brother and I seemed to have a soft spot in Grandma’s heart. I know this only because I overheard her, several times, slipping dollars into my Mom’s hands, and say, “get the kids something just from me for Christmas.” (Grandma didn’t drive.) My Mom would always push the money back into Grandma’s hands, as Grandma insisted that Mom “just take it.” As much as I hate to admit it, I’m sure she did that for all of her Grandchildren. Grandma would have loved to have access to the Grandkids Gift Guide, as it would have put so much power in Grandma’s hands, and taken all the guess work out of finding the perfect gift.

Still, Grandma, now that I’ve had time to reflect on what matters most in life, I want you to know that it wasn’t whatever it was Mom picked up at the five-and-dime store, which she and wrapped to put under the tree from you to me. I don’t remember much about whatever toy that could have been. But, your green popcorn balls — those were the best. You made them so big. Their enormous size made it impossible for us to get our teeth around them for one big bite. And the green, that light green color, saturated every single sweet-popped kernel.

Grandma, I know you thought those popcorn balls weren’t enough; that you wanted to give something that we could keep, and hold longer after Christmastide had past. Honestly, Grandma, those popcorn balls that so quickly disappeared in our bellies, is the one gift that I’ve held into my heart for over forty years. Thanks again. Grandma. You gave the best gifts. I miss you, so much.

Hats off to Nabisco for paying attention to what kids really want: the box. A toy comes with the current box of Ritz Crackers; there are no crackers to dig through to find the toy; there are no hazardous leads or plastics, and no choking dangers. Just a simple box that can be transformed into a simple make-it-yourself toy; the kind kids love best.

And kids, be sure to check out the games on the Ritz web site.

1. Make your own Sock monkeys
   

   

2. Give great memories
   

   

   Picture Frames filled with photos of your child with his best friends, playing his favorite sport, or with Mom and Dad.

3. Make a poster of your child.
   

   

   Pottery Barn Teen is selling large sports posters for kids rooms. Take this one step further, and have a photo of your child blown up poster size for his own room.

4. Magazine Rack.
   

   

   You’re constantly telling her to clean her room, so give her the tools to do it. This magazine rack came from Pottery Barn Teen.

5. Bulletin Board
   

   

   A Bulletin Board already loaded with their favorite memories.

6. Magnets/Thumbtacks
   

   

   Turn your child’s small wooden blocks, match box cars, starfish, or hair barrett’s into thumbtacks with epoxy glue and a package of magnets. You could also buy a small package of wooden letters at a craft store to use for magnets.

7. A Scapbook
   

   

   Kids love to hear about themselves. Put together a simple Scrapbook of their life so far. One for them to keep, in their own room.

8. Yarn Dolls

   

   You can also make these as boys — I’m thinking of a green Buzz Lightyear. Very easy and simple to make. A sibling could make this as a present for the other sibling.

I know I am merely scratching the surface here. Hopefully, this will inspire you to come up with new ideas. Don’t forget to join the great letter writing campaign to Congress via the Consumers Union in the “Get the Lead Out This Holiday Season” campaign. Twelve Days of Safe Shopping, November 23 to December 4.