by M. Bradley McCauley McCauley
Member since:
April 21, 2006

Gift Idea for The Holidays

December 02, 2008 08:51 AM EST
views: 285 | rating: 10/10 (51 votes) | comments: 87

With 13 grandkids and a limited budget, I have found a relatively easy, practical and appreciated gifts.

A gift that keeps on giving that has worked for me and for some of my grandkids is magazine subscriptions.

Two of the teen age boys are sport's fans so last year I gave them each a subscription to ESPN Sport's Magazine.  They were very happy and I checked with them, and yes, they both want renewals this year.

Another grandson is a black belt Tai Kwan Do and I checked with his mom who said he would love to have a magazine subscription to a magazine in that field.

Two of the teenage girls are getting "Teen" subscriptions.  And the list goes on.

Here's what I do.  I buy a copy of the magazine I'm giving them the subscription to.  Wrap it in gift wrap and inside is a "Gift Card".

What I like, and seems they do too, is it is a gift that keeps on giving.  Each month when the magazine arrives, I hope they think about Grandma for a minute, and know it was given with love.

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Comments: 87

Denise B. Dec 2, 2008, 8:54am EST
very cool I do that for my MIL :)
Oh, that's a great idea! Thanks! I was going nuts trying to figure out what to get my grandsons this year!
Sandra H. Dec 2, 2008, 9:11am EST
A great idea! My nephews love magazines and they really love getting mail addressed to them! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer R. Dec 2, 2008, 9:14am EST
That is a good idea. I am making scarfs.
Tracey E. Dec 2, 2008, 9:15am EST
That is a good idea. I got a gift subscription for my 18 yr old daughter in law last year and will do the same this year to Glamour and Seventeen magazine. My daughter who is 18 got a Glamour and Seventeen magazine last and this year. My son is getting Car and Driver this year.
Tracey E. Dec 2, 2008, 9:17am EST
another good idea:

get a cheap dollar store basket and put inside a couple packs of popcorn, a 5 or 10 dollar gift card to Blockbuster or any local movie rental place, a couple cans of soda, a few candy bars and make a "movie night" basket.
Netty B. Dec 2, 2008, 9:17am EST
That is a good idea.
Sue D. Dec 2, 2008, 9:18am EST
Kids love getting mail. I think that is a wonderful idea!
mary bryant Dec 2, 2008, 9:18am EST
cool idea
Tracey E. Dec 2, 2008, 9:21am EST
My 18 yr old son loved his car care bucket that he got last christmas. I bought a big car wash bucket and filled it with a shamoi, car wash brushes for tires, various car fluids, tire shine, roadside emergency kit with jumper cables etc. He LOVED it.
Brenda (square peg in a round hole) H. Dec 2, 2008, 9:23am EST
Great idea, but my grandsons are 4 and 2. The older one might like it.
Marsha S. Dec 2, 2008, 9:26am EST
my daughters are in to magazines now....Jasmine got a lot of older issues of some at the library book sale and keeps them on her desk, so it's not a bad idea at all
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Dec 2, 2008, 9:30am EST
Love giving magazine subscriptions! A "Taste of Home" is a gift subscription I try to give the women in my circle.
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Dec 2, 2008, 9:33am EST
I really like this idea!
regina k. Dec 2, 2008, 9:34am EST
I try to give at least one or two subscriptions a year. I try to find out what local school is doing magazine sales as a fund raiser. That way I not only get a gift for someone, I help a student meet thier goal.
Frannie E. Dec 2, 2008, 9:35am EST
Dear Mary, This is great idea! I actually did give a magazine subscription to a grandson a few years ago--and haven't thought much about it until I read this posting from you. He enjoyed it very much and said so at that time! Ed McMahon can give away his millions of dollars, my mailbox can be filled with magazine offers for "free first three months" and premiums and gifts can be offered with every new subscription--but I generally trash the mailings with the thought of even considering purchasing magazines. However, your sweet thoughtful gifts to thirteen grandchildren on a limited budget, and obviously a lot of love shared has made me realize that I am going to reconsider and maybe even purchase some magazine subscriptions for grandkids now or in the future. I can't help but wonder (with my marketing background) if Publishers Clearinghouse wouldn't love to connect with you for a marketing promotion. You have the best reasons for buying magazine subscriptions and state those reasons so simply and clearly that it is obvious your motivation is love--not the greed of something for nothing. Even if you elminate "limited budget" from your motivation it doesn't change the fact that magazines can be a very thoughtful gift that appears each an every month from a loving grandma. The "limited budget" however, does make this thoughtful gesture an even more attractive gift in these challenging times. Thanks for an old idea made new again. Merry Christmas to you and all those you love!
Rose H. Dec 2, 2008, 9:37am EST
It's a grand idea, Mary. Heck I wouldn't mind getting a magazine subscription for Christmas myself. :)
Robert - just a simple man - B. Dec 2, 2008, 9:39am EST
Grand idea. I already use it.
Karen G. Dec 2, 2008, 9:40am EST
That is a really good idea.
~*~ tinksmagic ~*~ ~ Dec 2, 2008, 9:40am EST
Great idea, I never thought of doing this.
Elaine S. Dec 2, 2008, 9:44am EST
Great idea
joseph k. Dec 2, 2008, 10:02am EST
great idea
That's the kind of gift I like!
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 2, 2008, 10:23am EST
Hopefully I didn't miss commenting or pinging any of you. Let me know if I did. And thanks all for commenting.
Kathryn E. Dec 2, 2008, 10:31am EST
Terrific idea.
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 2, 2008, 11:26am EST
Hopefully I'm keeping up, commenting back. Got to here so far.
tiffany h. Dec 2, 2008, 11:40am EST
that's a great idea!
Jennine D. Dec 2, 2008, 11:51am EST
This is a good idea to keep in mind in a couple of years when the kids are teenagers. Right now I get books at second hand stores for 49 and 59 cents that are nearly new and in good shape for the young ones. Hubby is going to make some hand puppets too.
Sonia M. Dec 2, 2008, 12:08pm EST
My mom gave me a subscription to Southern Living Magazine after I moved to Hawaii...I loved receiving my copy every month and be able to remember how life was back on the mainland when I too lived in the South....and many of the ideas and recipes were also relevant to my new life. I love that magazine!
Jodi G. Dec 2, 2008, 12:14pm EST
great ideas
Sharon P. Dec 2, 2008, 12:18pm EST
That's a good idea. I have done it.
Teresa A. Dec 2, 2008, 12:22pm EST
That is awesome. I used to give my Mom a couple of gardening magazine subscriptions for Christmas because she just didn't want to spend the money. Great Idea!
Carol B Dec 2, 2008, 12:45pm EST
Mary that is a wonderful idea! One year a gave my SIL a magazine subscription for diabetic cooking. I did that because the month before Christmas that year she found out she was diabetic. She loved it also.
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 2, 2008, 12:52pm EST
Whew! Keeping up can be tough!
Elizabeth S. Dec 2, 2008, 12:55pm EST
I have some people on my gift list who have everything they need, so thought I'd do the magazines this year. I can get several with my PTC points, so it's a real win/win situation.

I like this idea better than just giving money or gift cards, too. It shows that you've noticed their interests. A check just lacks that personal touch.
Nora Davenport Dec 2, 2008, 12:58pm EST
I got my son a magazine subscription to a computer repair magazine for Christmas.....oh yeah, and I made sure I ordered it through one of my points programs, as well, so I can get the points for free gift cards!!!!! Magazine subscriptions make excellent Christmas gifts.....I am also making a few gift baskets!
Deb J. Dec 2, 2008, 1:02pm EST
Great idea my friend!!
SmileyCentral.com
Austin Cushing Dec 2, 2008, 1:07pm EST
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations, and check out this week's Help These Articles!
golds g. Dec 2, 2008, 1:23pm EST
nice gift!
Wilma M. Dec 2, 2008, 1:43pm EST
I give my son in law and a friend subscriptions to National Geographic every year.

Many years ago, when my mom was still alive she gave my brother and I subscriptions to Readers' Digest every year.

It's a good idea and can be adapted to anyone's interests.
Jan C. Dec 2, 2008, 2:00pm EST
Great idea, my parents have done the same for my children. They love going to the mailbox and getting something each month instead of just once at Christmas!
Shirl T. Dec 2, 2008, 2:42pm EST
NICE IDEA
Robert M Dec 2, 2008, 2:59pm EST
That is a nice and reasonably priced idea.
Anne G. Dec 2, 2008, 2:59pm EST
My mother actually started this with me and my brother when we were teens. We didn't live with her then, so we always had Christmas twice, and one of the gifts she gave was the magazine subscriptions. I do it with my grown children today, and they love it. They tell me it is something they would not do for themselves because of the cost ( my oldest daughter loves Architectural Digest, and she's still going to school to be an Architect). It gives me an extra special gift for them each year, and they know they will get the magazines they love most, every month.
Cecilia Lyne Dec 2, 2008, 3:52pm EST
very nice idea ~ My grandmother use to do the same thing. I am buying my mother in law a gift subscription too, she is so hard to buy for. ;)
David S. Dec 2, 2008, 4:01pm EST
My dad has done this for our kids and they always enjoy the Big Backyard and Ranger Rick. However, this idea doesn't work as well for adults I don't think, at least not someone like me who doesn't care much for magazines.
B.B. B. Dec 2, 2008, 4:05pm EST
thats a really good idea, i get all kinds of magazines free, maybe i should just get one of those to someone else. thanks for sharing
Denise W. Dec 2, 2008, 5:42pm EST
That is a great idea. Thank you for sharing it
Trish A. Dec 2, 2008, 6:16pm EST
Magazines are always fun to get!
~~ Sarina ~~ Dec 2, 2008, 7:20pm EST
I love to give the older grandchildren magazine subscriptions as a gift. They love getting them in the mail.
CyberGwen ! Dec 2, 2008, 7:31pm EST
I love getting subscriptions, so this is a great idea. They might even think of you at least once a month! LOL
Jan S. Dec 2, 2008, 8:04pm EST
Not only are these wonderful gifts, but they sure simplify the wrapping process! Thanks, Mary.
lena k. Dec 2, 2008, 8:05pm EST
great idea
Janell R. Dec 2, 2008, 8:47pm EST
That's a great idea.
vickey w Dec 2, 2008, 8:52pm EST
This is a nice idea...
Lona Herling Dec 2, 2008, 8:56pm EST
Great idea . would not be so expensive then.
Kelly Kay Dec 2, 2008, 9:20pm EST
For the young or older. My mother in law loved magazine receiving magazine subscriptions as gifts. As she got older and was more home bound, they made her look forward to receiving them all through the year. Great idea!
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Dec 2, 2008, 9:41pm EST
Christmas is in the air!!
Larry H. Dec 2, 2008, 9:45pm EST
THANKS FOR SHARING
Angela A. Dec 2, 2008, 10:45pm EST
This year, I have to go really cheap, and just get Christmas mugs and candy. I'm so broke, it's not funny.
T J. Dec 2, 2008, 11:06pm EST
Good idea! and by the way I am now an avon lady:) e-mail me
Carl "Prime Time" Lee Dec 2, 2008, 11:06pm EST
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Bethany C. Dec 2, 2008, 11:51pm EST
I did get my son a magazine subscription. He's about the only one in my family who reads magazines much.
Naomi O. Dec 3, 2008, 1:19am EST
I'm here viewing your content, returning comments, and leaving a 10! Hope this helps make your holidays merry.
Karen E. Dec 3, 2008, 2:29am EST
I'm with you...great idea
alex fore Dec 3, 2008, 9:45am EST
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M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 3, 2008, 10:03am EST
Whew--hope I didn't miss anyone.
Sandy C. Dec 3, 2008, 10:19am EST
That is a great idea. I do that for my kids for their bdays.
Sophiya S. Dec 3, 2008, 10:50am EST
kool ideas
dean t. Dec 3, 2008, 11:38am EST
What a very kind and thoughtful gift, thank you Mary.
Chas Andrews Dec 3, 2008, 11:40am EST
thanks
That is a great idea. Thanks :)
Thea Allison Dec 3, 2008, 12:39pm EST
That's a wonderful idea!
Christine G. Dec 3, 2008, 6:18pm EST
Great idea.
Donald M. Dec 3, 2008, 7:55pm EST
Great idea Mary, thanks for sharing you gift ideas.
Jenny Carres Dec 3, 2008, 8:37pm EST
I do something similar with the plant that MOVES when you Tickle it!

I simply throw in a packet of TickleMe Plant seeds with each Holiday greeting Card I mail out. Most people are very surprised they can grow a plant that moves when you tickle it from seeds. The leave rapidly close and even the branches MOVE when tickled. I got the birthday party special so the seed packets were very inexpensive and its the same price as mailing the card itself! I found it on line
at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Nicole M. Dec 3, 2008, 9:35pm EST
I never really thought of that as a gift idea. I might try it for my boyfriend. Nobody else that I know really reads magazines that often.
F. Jeanette c. Dec 4, 2008, 12:21am EST
Thanks Mary, more thoughtful ideas.

10 4 u
sarah g. Dec 4, 2008, 12:24am EST
my 7 year old son loves getting magazine subscriptions
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 4, 2008, 9:01am EST
Hope I haven't missed commenting, pinging, mailing or touching base to thank you all for taking time to read and comment. It means a lot.

Keep in touch, it means so much.
Blessings
Shing Wedzi Dec 5, 2008, 4:18pm EST
I agree that mag subs make good gifts. Keep your eyes open all year 'round for discounts--there have been some really low prices over the past few years.

Here's one that popped up today, for example. 12 issues of Reader's Digest for $5:
https://www.rd.com/offer/rd/10for5_2008/index.jsp?trkid=rd_500_gift
Sharon B. Dec 5, 2008, 11:16pm EST
great idea
glenda j. Dec 6, 2008, 8:34am EST
great
Shaunee C. Dec 15, 2008, 10:58pm EST
Nice idea
Deborah R. Dec 17, 2008, 4:47pm EST
Thanks for the good idea.
Infinity M. Jun 9, 2009, 4:05am EDT

magazines can make a great gift since there are so many topics available - and books in general.  here's a great book to look into:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977691049

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