Grandmother’s ‘Adventure Box’ Idea Is Gift That Keeps On Giving For A Year

Oct 12, 2021

When Christmas time rolls around each year, the hunt for the perfect gifts can become overwhelming. This is especially true when buying for children who seem to have every toy and game already. One grandmother had a genius DIY idea that allowed her to spend time with her grandchildren all year round. Darlene Howell Waller, whose Facebook post has now been taken down, made an “adventure box” for her grandsons as a homemade Christmas gift.

The “adventure box” contained 12 envelopes marked for each month of the year. Inside the envelopes was a planned out, and mostly prepaid, adventure that Waller could do with her grandsons or they could do with their mother instead. Waller called it “the gift of time.” She pre planned trips to the bowling alley, laser tag, horseback riding and many other activities that would get the boys out of the house and spending time with grandma. 

The best part was, each month there was a surprise for the grandchildren to look forward to for the entire year. They were told to open the envelope at the beginning of each month so grandma and mom could plan a date. For little boys who seem to have everything, this gift gave them precious memories for a year and hopefully many more in the future. 

Waller was a genius for putting this together, and it is something that anyone can try. Personalize your envelopes for whoever you want to spend time with and see their surprised faces every month. Keep reading to learn more about this DIY gift idea.  

Along with the box of envelopes, Waller included a handwritten note to her grandsons that explained the gift. She wrote:

“This year my sweet boys I give you the gift of time. In this gift you will find 12 envelopes, one for each month of the year. Inside each envelope is a pre-planned, pre-paid (mostly) for you and I … Some you choose, some I choose. But they are all fun as a family activity for us to do together. At the beginning of each month open the envelope and let's plan the date … I love you and can’t wait to spend time with you. Love, Nonna.”

This “adventure box” would also make a great gift for a significant other on Valentine’s day. Inside the envelopes you could plan out romantic dates for the two of you to go on. There are limitless possibilities of what you could plan, all you need is someone you love to share it with. 

The adventures you plan don’t have to be expensive either. A picnic in the park or a day at the beach are just as fun as movie tickets and would save you a lot of money. Get creative and focus on the time spent together, instead of just the activity. 

Waller said that she wanted this gift to help her make memories with her grandsons. She recalled that the best memories from her own childhood were never of toys but of the moments she shared with her loved ones at the lake or camping in the backyard. Hopefully more people will focus on spending time with loved ones around the holidays like Waller did with her family.

Would you try this DIY gift? What kind of activities would you plan? Let us know and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family.