Granny’s Gone Wild! Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist 2026 — Helping Santa Load the Sleigh

As a mom I’ve always wondered if Suzzane would have ever had children which would have made me a Grandma. Not a Crazy Mimi like my mom but a Grandma. But the LORD had other plans for Suzzane and he called her home and I know she loves being in Heaven but I miss her when I see other families children having children.

Now, you might say you still have Charlie and think he might bless me with some grandchildren and yes, that might be true. But honestly I’ve not sure Charlie will ever have children of his own and that is okay because we all have to do what is right for us. Not what someone wants them to do.

Through all this uncertainty once thing I’ve learned is being a granny isn’t always about blood. Sometimes it’s about love, laughter, friendship, and the memories we make along the way. I thought I would ask you a question. Have you ever stopped to think about how many different kinds of grandmothers there are in this world?

I have, and let me tell you something. I’m a granny. My sister Debbie is a granny. My best friend Debbie is a granny. And then there’s Granny Sherry! Four grannies, four different personalities, and four completely different ideas about what makes life fun. LOL

And that’s exactly why I decided it was time to launch a new series here on GreatfulMoments.com. Welcome to Granny’s Gone Wild! Now, before anybody gets the wrong idea, we’re not planning on robbing banks, driving off cliffs, or getting ourselves into the kind of trouble Thelma and Louise found!

Although I wouldn’t put it past us to have a few adventures along the way. And every once in a while, don’t be surprised if a little Madea attitude sneaks in, too. Because sometimes a granny has to speak her mind! Put on your big girl panties and follow along if you like a little Rosie the Riveter adventures. LOL

But underneath all that laughter is something I believe with my whole heart. You don’t have to be related by blood to love someone like your own grandchild. When David and I married in May 2006, our families blended together just like the Brady Bunch only he had the children not me.

David has children from his family, including Leslie, Ashley, and Travis. Leslie has a grandson named Elijah, and she’s also caring for a new baby through fostering. Ashley has three children, and Travis has five from the lady he married. Now, I want to make something clear.

Those children may not think of me as their grandmother, and that’s perfectly okay. I respect their feelings, their relationships, and the people they call Grandma. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about what happens in their lives or wish wonderful things for their families.

Because love doesn’t have to come with a title. Sometimes you simply love people because they’re part of your life. And that’s enough. Just like with my best friend Debbie who has 2 biological children and one of they’ve has grandchildren she doesn’t see. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a grandson Austin.

My best friend Debbie has s been babysitting since Austin since was an infant. Over the years, she’s come to love him like a grandson. She didn’t have to give birth to his parent or have a biological connection to him to build that relationship. She was there. She cared for him. She watched him grow. And somewhere along the way, he became one of the children she holds close to her heart. I think that’s beautiful. Sometimes being a grandmother isn’t about a family tree. It’s about showing up, loving someone, and creating memories together.

Then there’s my sister Debbie. She’s blessed with two biological grandchildren, Lily and Jason. They are my great niece and nephew. And those two have given her a whole new chapter of life to enjoy. Whether it’s going to the movies, playing games, swimming, or simply spending time together, there are so many opportunities to make memories.

And I love thinking about all the things she can share with them from our childhood. Old Maid, UNO, reading together, and maybe even some of those silly stories about the trouble we got into growing up. Although, knowing our family, we might want to be careful which stories we tell! LOL! Which makes family all the more fun.

Oh, goodness gracious. If I tried to count all the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and children Granny Sherry has welcomed into her heart, I might need a calculator and a very large notebook! Some are connected through family relationships like Charlie her grandson, and others are simply loved like family like Suzzane my daughter.

But that’s part of what makes her and David Sr. special. Granny Sherry is David’s mom, Charlie’s grandmother, and someone who has become one of my dearest friends. She’s not just my mother-in-law. She’s my mom. My confident. My best friend and my ride or die as Charlie likes to say.

She helped me through Charlie’s school years, and I’ll never forget that. We share a love of gardening, birdwatching, and garage selling and those quiet moments when you can sit together and enjoy the world around you. She loves her mums, little red trucks, Christmas decorations, and Diet Pepsi. And she has a personality all her own. Which is exactly why she’s going to be the star of many of our Granny’s Gone Wild Christmas gift guides!

One of the funniest things about getting older is realizing that just because we’re all grandmothers doesn’t mean we all like the same things. One granny might want gardening supplies. Another might want a new book, a cozy blanket, or a movie night. Another might enjoy getting her nails done, going shopping, or spending the afternoon with the grandchildren.

And another might just want to climb into the car and see where the road takes her. Which brings me to Thelma and Louise! Now, I’m not saying we’re going to recreate that movie. Goodness knows, we don’t need to drive off any cliffs! Nor do we need the popo ie police coming after us. LOL!

But I do love the idea of women getting together, laughing, enjoying their friendships, and remembering that life doesn’t stop being an adventure just because we’ve reached a certain age. And if one of us gets a little too opinionated, well, we’ll just blame Madea! LOL! No, red hat society for us we will just create our own chapter.

This year has brought a lot of changes for Granny Sherry. We lost Pa, and after so many years together, she’s learning how to navigate life without him. With Mike traveling over the road, she’s also spending more time by herself. There are days when I’m sure the house feels quieter than it once did. I can’t change what happened or take away the grief she carries.

But I can remind her that she’s loved, that her dreams still matter, and that there are new memories waiting to be made. That’s why our first collection of Granny’s Gone Wild articles will focus on her Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist and if you have anything you think she would like leave me a comment below.

We’re going to explore everything from her little one-butt kitchen to her bathroom, her living room, and her beautiful garden. We’ll talk about practical gifts, thoughtful gifts, and even a few things that might make Santa scratch his head. Because Granny deserves to have a little fun, too!

Before we go, I want to remind you of something. You don’t have to be a grandmother to enjoy Granny’s Gone Wild. You don’t even have to have children. If you love gardening, decorating, reading, shopping, making memories, or going on little adventures with your friends, there’s a place for you here.

Because this series isn’t really about how old we are or what title someone calls us. It’s about enjoying the life we’ve been given, loving the people who become part of our story, and remembering that we’re never too old to make another memory. So grab your coffee, your sweet tea, or Granny Sherry’s favorite Diet Pepsi. Pull up a chair.

And if you’ve got a best friend who believes every now and then you need a little Thelma and Louise adventure, invite her along! Just promise me we’ll leave the cliff-diving to Hollywood. LOL Although a #RoadTrip to #Hollywood might be fun. Anyone up for a trip?

Welcome to Granny’s Gone Wild!– Santa, you’d better make some room in that sleigh. We’ve got memories to make!

Follow Along: Granny’s Gone Wild Christmas Gift Guide Series

Our first collection includes nine articles, beginning with the introduction you’re reading right now. We’ll add links as each new article is published.

1. Granny’s Gone Wild! Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist 2026 — Meet the women behind the series and discover why family is about more than biology.
2. Granny’s Little One-Butt Kitchen Wishlist — Storage, food containers, useful appliances, and making the most of a tiny kitchen.
3. Granny’s Bathroom Makeover Wishlist — Comfort, organization, and practical bathroom improvements.
4. Granny’s Walk-In Bathtub Dream — The bathtub Granny already owns and hopes to have installed.
5. Granny’s Living Room Makeover Wishlist — Cozy seating, furniture, and making her home more comfortable.
6. Granny’s Memorial Garden — Remembering Pa — Mums, flowers, birdwatching, and a special place to remember someone we love.
7. Granny’s Little Red Truck Christmas Wishlist — Hallmark-style ornaments, Christmas decorations, and traditions.
8. Granny’s Christmas Shirts and Cozy Gifts — Festive shirts, comfortable clothing, and gifts that bring warmth.
9. Granny’s Comfort, Safety, and Independence Wishlist — Practical gifts, including a beautiful medical-alert bracelet.

I’ve also created a free printable so you can keep track of the articles as you read them. Print your checklist, hang it on your refrigerator, tuck it into your Christmas planner, or keep it beside your favorite reading chair. Each time you finish one of our Granny’s Gone Wild adventures, check it off! And don’t forget to write down any gift ideas that remind you of someone special in your own life.

Disclosure: This series includes personal stories, gift ideas, and Christmas wishlists. Some future articles may contain affiliate links or feature complimentary products. Any applicable relationships will be disclosed in the individual articles. Wishlist suggestions are not represented as hands-on reviews unless stated

Grateful • Thankful • Blessed

GreatfulMoments.com

Disclosure: This series includes personal stories, gift ideas, and Christmas wishlists. Some future articles may contain affiliate links or feature complimentary products. Any applicable relationships will be disclosed in the individual articles. Wishlist suggestions are not represented as hands-on reviews unless stated.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates