by Mary Claire Kendall

Created on: November 15, 2011   Last Updated: November 18, 2011

Grandmothers are to be cherished and loved.

To be sure, the greatest gift a grandchild could give a grandmother is one made with love.

For instance, homemade chocolate chip cookies, upside down pineapple cake, sugar-dipped pecans, walnut brownies—any number of tasty treats—would surely warm the cockles of her heart.

Or, if you’re handy with the sewing machine, a table cloth for her kitchen nook, or an apron, made with colorful fabric and a lovely design, would surely brighten her spirits.

Of course, not all grandchildren, either because of their age or situation, have the time to devote to handmade gifts.

For a fallback, you might try a gift made by nature, full of antioxidant Vitamin C—thus ridding her of unhealthy toxins!  A box of oranges, or tangerines, or some Florida grapefruits, would be just the healthy boost grandmother would surely appreciate on Christmas day.

The biggest, tried and true fallback is gifts made by a manufacturer. 

In this regard, do your best to find “Made in the USA” products. Since grandmothers are likely born at a time when American industry was much more robust, giving her a gift “Made in the USA” would mean a lot to her.

To make your job easier, refer to Country Living magazine for companies that manufacture their products solely in America .  Or, refer to this article in AOL Small Business for companies such as LL Bean that favor American manufacturers.

But, if it’s not possible to find an American-made present, given the superabundance of inexpensive goods made in foreign lands—for instance Walmart buys virtually all its products from China—find a gift that will be just what she needs, and wants.

Maybe the special gift is Parisian Coco Chanel perfume or Floris Sandalwood and Patchouli Scented Candle, marvelous Spanish Godiam jewelry, or delicious Swiss chocolate.  (All of these goods, except Godiam, may be purchased here in the United States, which, in fact is your best bet given the current unfavorable exchange rates.)

And, then, by all means, complement whatever gift you choose with the greatest Christmas gift a grandchild could give a grandmother - your love. 

A phone call, a letter telling her how much you love her, an invitation to visit with you, perhaps over lunch, to ask her what it was like when she was growing up – basically a simple acknowledgement of what a great gift she is – would mean more than anything in the world.

Often, given our materialistic culture and the constant drive to achieve and get all you can out of life, grandmothers are left on the sidelines.

Some don’t even see their grandchildren when materialism chokes off the spirit of love.

So, this Christmas season, as we celebrate Christ's gift of himself, turn over a new leaf, if necessary, and, along with that special present for Grandmother, don’t forget the greatest of all – your love.  Something material can help express that love, but can never replace the gift of self.

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