As a child, I got some pretty awesome gifts from my grandmothers. Remember the first year for Cabbage Patch Kids? Remember the chaos that ensued from parents and grandparents elbowing each other to try to get their hands on one of those hot little dolls? Yeah, my grandmother was one of those people, standing in the toy store crowd before Christmas as the nervous stock boys threw boxes into the crowd. And that Christmas I squealed with joy as I unwrapped my curly headed Madeline Eva.

Years later, my other grandmother gave me one of the best surprises ever. I received a small Casio keyboard when I was in elementary school, along with a “Teach Yourself Piano” book, and I worked hard to learn how to play. That hard work paid off, and in middle school there was a knock at our door on a cold, snowy December night. I opened the door to find a couple of large guys standing on our porch, telling me they had a piano to deliver. My jaw nearly hit the ground as they brought in a gorgeous upright piano and positioned it in our living room. My mom then told me that my grandmother bought it for me for Christmas, so I could play something with more than two and a half octaves.

Cordy will learn to play on the same piano.

My mom must have taken notes on good gifts, because she always picks the right thing for our girls. She has been kind to my ears and rarely bought loud electronic toys – actually, she rarely buys toys for the girls, unless it is something that is educational in some way. She’s more likely to give them clothing (OK, they may hate that in another year or two) or pay for an activity, like a soccer class or swim lessons.

Aaron’s parents sometimes give cash, and sometimes give gifts. The cash goes to savings accounts for each girl, and the gifts are generally toys. Both are generally well-received.

But the gift that the grandparents give the most is their time. Cordy practically vibrates when she sees her grandmother and g.g. (my grandmother, her great-grandmother), and she begs to go “fishing” at her grandpa and bubbie’s house (they have a small goldfish pond in their backyard, where she feeds the fish and spends time playing with them). The time spent with their grandparents will give them memories to last their lifetimes.

Do your kids receive good gifts from their grandparents?

This post is a part of the Parent Blogger Network blog blast, sponsored by the Grandkids Gift Guide. They’re giving away Kushies Zolo Toys and a $50 Starbucks gift card. There’s still time to enter – just get your post in before midnight tonight! Read the full details at their blog.