| When I was a little girl, my Nana and Grandpa would | | | | how they've watched them learn and grow. Make the |
| often give me a "grab bag" full of goodies for my | | | | front page a list of milestones and achievements from |
| birthday present. This was nothing more than a brown | | | | the past year.Personalized coupons for special favors |
| paper shopping bag filled with | | | | are great additions, too. These could include a coupon |
| trinkets and treasures my grandparents had collected | | | | for a trip to the mall with a friend, for having take-out |
| or made for me with tender loving care.I remember | | | | one night (Hey, Moms will like that one too!), a coupon |
| such things as toys from cereal boxes, Cracker Jack | | | | excusing them from a certain chore for a day or two, |
| prizes, and my Nana's special homemade popcorn | | | | or for staying up an extra half hour at bedtime. Once |
| balls carefully wrapped in waxed paper. I always | | | | you get going, you'll come up with lots more.Write them |
| looked forward to these grab bags, partly because | | | | on white paper backed with colorful construction paper |
| there were so many small surprises in the one gift, and | | | | which you've trimmed with fancy edged scissors. Or |
| also because it was a very personal present, put | | | | make them on your computer with fancy graphics.This |
| together with much thought and love.To me, the grab | | | | same "grab bag" concept could be used for college |
| bag was simply the best birthday gift in the world!This | | | | graduations, a friend moving to a new town, Mother's |
| wonderful tradition can and should be enjoyed by | | | | or Father's Day; there are so many possibilities...The |
| every little birthday boy and girl. It's easy! Just start with | | | | key to the making this the best gift in the world is to |
| a brown paper bag and decorate it with materials you | | | | have fun, don't spend a lot of money, and think about |
| have on hand, such as markers, ribbons, pictures from | | | | the recipient a lot while you're putting it together. I'm |
| magazines, wrapping paper shapes, you get the idea. | | | | sure this is what my grandparents did whenever they |
| Choose a theme that your child relates to, such as | | | | put together a birthday grab bag for me.Copyright |
| sports, animals, hobbies, and the like.Several weeks or | | | | 2004 Kids Party Paradise All Rights ReservedPatricia |
| even months prior to the birthday, start filling the bag | | | | B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party |
| with goodies. The gifts don't have to be big, just | | | | enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of - a |
| thoughtful little items that show you care.Create a little | | | | complete resource for kids party ideas including |
| notebook in which each family member writes a page | | | | invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, |
| about the birthday child something special they admire | | | | favors, and food.For all the latest party news, read her |
| about them, something they've done that makes them | | | | Kids Party Blog. |
| proud, or | | | | |