I made tree skirts, pot holders, microwave bowls, Christmas table cloths & table runners, kitchen towels and mug rugs for our 5 grands that are now in their late teens & early 20s. The girls are all thrilled that Gma has these things ready for them when they are on their own. The boys not so much. LOL. I'm hoping their future wives will appreciate them. The girls all love hand made items and appreciate the time involved to make them.

I made a raggy quilt for each of my 6 grandchildren when they started to college. Three of them are married, but are still using their quilts.
Since I arranged their squares by color, there were quite a few finished squares left. So, I put them together in a scrappy raggy quilt. Now some of them like the scrappy one best, so who do I give it to?

Dunster, Good answer - let them have some input! They'll be more likely to use something they've had a say about. P.S. So good to hear from you again! Everyone was worried about you (AND missing your sense of humor)!

Our daughter is 14, and we are planning to have a hope chest made by a cabinetmaker for her 16th birthday. The first quilt that she has completed is waiting to go into it and she has plans to make more. When I make things for it, I will stick to neutral colors, so that I know she will want to use them someday.

I have a hope chest for all four of the grandkids (including the boy) every couple years they love to poke through them, and make suggestions of what they like - I started making a 'list' of these things and putting it in the chest', they now love to see what they thought was 'cool' when they were 10 or 14… the oldest is 23, and still no plans for marriage (in school), so they still poke...

When got married in 1962..My stepfather made me a hope chest...back then my mom called them cedar chests..and mine is made out of cedar inside and out...it's beautiful and it's full...of my things from wedding album to wedding dress...highschool annual..and keepsakes from my 2 daughters and grandchildren...and lots of memories in there also..

What a wonderful idea. My advice would be to make things that you like. They will appreciate what your taste in colour or pattern was (at least they will when they get older). You could also include items which are family heirlooms, or that they can remember an activity with you. For example: An elderly friend did not know what to give her grandaughter for a shower gift. She no longer baked so we wrapped out a rather old and very well used cookie sheet and her rolling pin, did up a nice note of how grandma had made so many cookies for those she loved and she was passing it on to her grandaughter. Let me tell you there were tears, hugs, laughter and many smiles. That young lady treasures that gift and always will. Perhaps it will be passed on to her grandaughter.

amh

I like the idea. Maybe ask what they would like or use.

Holiday place mats and table runners. Every month has a holiday or theme.

I think that's a great idea - my son now has my "hope chest" as I no longer have the room, so I hope they use it and since it's a Lane cedar chest, they just might. I would make placemats, table runners, small wall hangings to go with the holiday theme, Christmas, Valentine's Day, fall, summer, etc., plus you could ask what they would like.