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- When one of our boys, probably Dwaine, was 8 yrs old we were
living out east, near Gettysburg. In their park (or area) there
was a mass of huge rocks stacked against or on top of each other-making
passageways (tunnels) throughout. This was called "Devil's
Den," and our kids loved it. Dwaine's 8th birthday came up,
money was scarce (wasn't it always!) and we really couldn't afford
taking his friends out bowling, to a movie and for hamburgers,
like many of our friends did. Warren made the suggestion, "Why
don't we have a pirate's party!" We did. Warren made a one-eye
patch for each boy (we probably had 8-10) and a cardboard sword;
I bought a couple yards of fabric and made head bands (or scarves)
and sashes and Warren marked their faces up with an eyebrow pencil.
The "buried treasure" was hidden inside the rock caves,
consisting of the birthday cake and drinks. Together, with some
appropriate pirate games and pictures for each to take home, it
was one of the most memorable parties that cost practically nothing.
- A couple years ago, with several of our family members being
out of jobs, and Dean's large family always watching pennies,
instead of giving up drawing names at Christmas it was decided
to give dollar gifts-or at best, very economical ones. You'd be
surprised what turned up-many "white elephants" such
as videos; books; music; collected walnuts, shelled out; pretty
dishes or other items around the house that needed new owners;
homemade pickles and jams; handmade crafts. I think that's when
I typed up "Grandma's Favorite Recipes" for the older
kids.
- I happened to be at a friend's home when she was clearing out
"junk" from their summer cabin after it sold. She had
no use for another electric skillet, more towels, bedding, etc.
so I helped her out by accepting them and passing them along to
our college students-and whoever needed them. I'm still gradually
giving "gifts" of my overflow.
- Who needs three sets of dishes, so I've passed all my stoneware
on to Debbie. My Corelle is much lighter and easier to handle.
- Making play dough or making doll clothes from scraps was always
a treat for the little girls, at practically no cost to me.
- I've also bought children’s storybooks, then included
a cassette recording of Grandma reading the story.
- Houseplants are good for dividing and sharing, as are seeds.
Even used candles can be melted down, poured into plastic cups,
to be later used as fire-starters. Campers especially like this
gift. Some even add sawdust to the wax.
- Dave once said that he couldn't remember anything about his
childhood younger than 6-8 yrs old, so I thought I'd "fill
in the cracks." It was the year we took our computer along
when we traveled in our RV around the country. Not only did I
write "The Biography of David W. Jones as seen through the
eyes of his mother" but I also did one for each of our six
kids. I think they were far more appreciated than any shirt or
sweater we could have bought them.
- I've also written for each of the grandkids, "What your
Daddy (or Mommy) was like when they were a kid." I saw some
scared looks on parent's faces when the little ones were reading
their papers!
- Recently Darrell and his fiancée went with her (Charlotte's)
family to Hawaii for her parents’ 50th anniversary. It had
been planned that each of their kids would provide one activity
while there. Even taking a family of 10 or more out to dinner
is no small cost; Darrell and Charlotte needed to save their money
for their upcoming wedding, so being creative, they secretly went
through all the family pictures (held in a box under the bed),
chose the best that told the story of their life, put them on
a DVD along with comments. They had help so it turned out very
professional and very much appreciated!
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