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As a result of a sad situation (my grandad passing away) something nice has resulted. My grandad always laboured the point for as long as I can remember that life is short and that you should do the things that make you happy in the small amount of time you have.
So, though he was never wealthy by any stretch he had saved a small amount of money (£3000) to pass onto me with a simple caveat - that it's not to be saved, it should be spent and spent for my families enjoyment. So, that's my 4 year old son, wife and me.
I realise £3000 is not going to go far but I really want to use it to bring some pleasure to us as a young family (it's been a rough past 3 years). I've considered holiday's, weekends away etc and they are on the potentials list but I'm becoming a bit obsessed with the idea that I should use it to do something that could bring us all some ongoing, lasting fun. A hobby, a past-time that we can all enjoy, something along those lines.
So, I thought i'd ask the great and the good on here for some inspiration. Things that you do together as families, hobbies and interests that you have.
Caravan?
Get yourselves a nice camping set up?
A full set of nice camping gear, shall we call that a grand?
That leaves two grand, which is about 100 nights worth of camping fees.
Canoes?
Bikes!
Short answer, buy a Boat.
Seriously.
For £3k you could get a nice trailer sailer - limbo 6.6 (sportier but fun to sail), Sailfish 18, jaguar 22, e boat (again sportier but easy to launch, relatively speaking), Drascombe or a Wayfarer. It's a great thing to do together as a family - adventure, bbq's on the beach nice anchorages etc and will give you a lifetime of pleasure.
You will also never feel wealthy again running a boat (but I managed to run a similar one whilst a student!)
Boats are ace.
Buy a boat
Camping's a good one, likewise some sort of boating could be nice.
We're all biked up as much as I could quite happily find room for another...
Yeah, a boat is appealing. We have quite a large reservoir near by that do sailing training so plenty of people with advice locally too. It certainly would offer adventure for all of us.
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
Boat.
If say a campervan too but that's more £££ to get a good one.
One other thought is a trailer tent.
Get yourselves a nice camping set up?
That was my first thought as well, perhaps it's ok to open a special account to save what's left to use to replace and add to to the kit as needed. That's not really saving it.
Books. Lots and lots of lovely books.
Pens. Lots of them, they can become family friends!
A boat or canoe (or SUP?) and a magnet on a rope for magnet fishing.
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
LOLs
A decent camping setup and some inflatable canoes. Have a look at decathlon for both
buy your son a nice watch to give him on his 18th
Or an ISA for real shits and giggles.
3,000 scratch cards
your boy will love that!
Up to ~£1k on a midweek break at Center Parcs outside the upcoming school holidays, booking plenty of activities.
Long weekend at Disneyland Paris.
Camping set up
Trailer for taking camping stuff (and making logistics of going away easier)
Pot of money for adventures whilst camping
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad. I can't think of a more awesome way to spend the money than on a dog.
A 4 year old won't remember a 1 off event in years to come. So perhaps something like those mentioned above, camping equipment you can use for the next few years.
What else do you enjoy? Outdoor cooking, build an outdoor kitchen and use that at home between your adventures. What would your Granddad look on with a smile, how would he have spent the money if he had the choice?
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad. I can’t think of a more awesome way to spend the money than on a dog.
This is a brilliant idea.
A decent camping setup and some inflatable canoes.
That was my first thought. The idea of a trailer for it all or trailer tent is great but if you need a towbar fitting that's going to take a decent chunk out of the funds.
I'd go with a load of camping stuff and time away in it too. The dog idea's nice but make it a rescue dog if you go down that route, no ££££ pedigree breed crap.
Some sick bikes.
Finally, get a dog and name it after your granddad.
Get a dog and name it "Shark."
Take a day trip to the beach.
Instant family memories, right there.
If you have the capacity to store it the trailer & rig idea is great. We bought a bell tent, awning, wood burner, and really comfortable sleep pads - in one holiday around France it had pretty much earned its keep. But it’s a big rig, and a trailer or van is pretty essential (if you can store it dry most of the camping gear can just live in the trailer).
Also. It should probably be a small portable dog, else spontaneous camping trips suddenly become onerous and expensive.
Socks. You can never have enough socks.
an au pair.
Standards are slipping round here 🙁
Coke 'n hookers, you can tell your son when he's 18, and think how happy your wife will be never knowing.
That or a tent.
I'd say camping. Just bought a massive tent and a load of lightly used gear myself. I have two boys, five and three and they absolutely cannot wait to go out into the peaks and get the tent up. Pick a campsite on or near a bike trail (we have the Tissington, Monsal and others) that you and your family can cycle on. Disposable barbecue at night and let them toast marshmallows over the embers. Its all about the memories 👍
Grandad is a bit of a funny name for a dog
35 posts and I'm the first to mention Coke and hookers... this place ain't what it used to be.
So we were in a similar position, inheritance was spent on a massive tent from khyam, a tow bar for the car and a thule 4 bike rack. Still to buy a decent camping cooking setup and probably a roof box or trailer - expect to come to approx £2k.
35 posts and I’m the first to mention Coke and hookers…
Really?
Vegas
Or the dog idea....
what a lovely and amazing gift to be left.
I's agree with the camping gear, £3K would get an amazing set up, and I don't know any kid that doesn't love to go camping.
the dog's a close second though.
Coke and prolapsed chicken vents
Power kites and ceramic poppies.
Grandad is a bit of a funny name for a dog
Unless it’s a papi-llon
OP. It is a really nice idea - he sounded like a cool guy to think like that. I am lucky enough to have mucked around on boats a bit in my youth. They are great fun, but even small ones need more maintenance than most stuff.
I personally would spend some money on something that brings you all together as a family in the fresh air, so for sure a boat fits the ticket. But for more frequent use (and something you may be more able to do with other friends), as above I would get some cool camping gear. Kids love spending time outdoors, it gets you away from home chores and can be the basis for holidays away, bank holiday weekends with friends or biking trips as and when. Memories will be made and you can enjoy almost every 'chore' with a beer.
I would get a pimp bell tent for that cash and then splash out on a stove for the inside. I don't have either (we just have a basic 4 man dome which cost about £150), but they look cozy and I think would extend the camping season a bit (as in the evening you could enjoy beer/hot chocolate inside the tent). I was camping last weekend and looked on with envy at those who had such sweet set ups.
I would also love a campervan, but as above I think that requires a bigger budget.
Enjoy the shopping.
Half on a kayak/tent setup, half in a isa for the boys first car/bike/house.
Loving the suggestions in here for a lovely gift. Personally, I’d go with getting a rescue dog (provided it works for you). My 2.5 year old dotes on our mutt and I can see them being great companions for years to come, plus she (the dog) is a massive part of our family. Obviously that wouldn’t cost £3000 so I’d consider a nice watch for the 18th birthday.
Boats a great idea, dog isn't.
Get a dog and name it “Shark.”
Take a day trip to the beach.
Instant family memories, right there.
😀
Boat's a great idea, dog isn’t, watch really, really isn't
FTFY
Rescue dog and £3000 worth of vets vouchers. Or 100 watches. Or just buy three tickets to Glasto and nick a complete camping outfit (and a dog) on your way out.
If you like cooking outdoors then add an ooni pizza oven to your camping kit. You can then use it at home too.
If you like camping then a decent tent, bell, tipis are cool and a Canadian canoe. And or a small sail boat. We did these when smalls were small and have had a great time. Canoe still used though only a couple of times a year now, twenty years on.
Holiday. If you aren’t camping already, why expect to start? Buy some memories. 3k will buy you something nice.
I spent slightly more on a 50th birthday on a steam boat on the Thames after what had been frankly a disaster of tragic events. My 50 friends and extended family still talk about it.
and if your grandad was handy with DIY, buy a decent tool to remember him by. I did that too.
Can't see past all the camping suggestions. Brilliant idea.
The dog idea’s nice but make it a rescue dog if you go down that route, no ££££ pedigree breed crap.
Great idea! Then you can waste the remainder on vets' bills for dodgy hips, knees or a palate operation.
I’ve spent a similar amount on (materials only) landscaping my back garden over the last 2 summers.
Pond and plants to teach mini-mon about nature, paved area for developing bike skills, lawn for football and camping.
BBQ and dining area we can all enjoy.
Big expense and hard graft but I’m glad I did it.
Great idea! Then you can waste the remainder on vets’ bills for dodgy hips, knees or a palate operation
Is a dog, not a second hand car.
But yeah you could buy new watches for all the family, just imagine the fun to be had.
Spend a sensible proportion on a watch for you son's 18th, hide it until then...
Put the rest towards whatever sort of family holidays or adventures you're lot enjoy whether it's camping, a bit of Air B'n'B-ing, all inclusive pool lounging or a mixture of the lot... But consult with your clan first.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. While the dog idea is nice we already have one and one is definitely enough!
The camping idea is great. I definitely think that my grandad would have wanted us to have some adventure as that is exactly the sort of personality he had. The only down side for me, less so for my lad, is i just don't like campsite camping. Much prefer the idea of doing it properly but not sure how viable that really is.
Spend a sensible proportion on a watch for you son’s 18th,
Fair enough, but that still leaves £2950 to be spent, so doesnt really solve the problem.
I'm trying to imagine a life so empty that it would be improved by spending £3,000 on a watch. The mind boggles.
Spend a sensible proportion on a watch for you son’s 18th, hide it until then…
Here son, have a watch I bought 14 years ago and then hid away, which wasn't particularly exclusive then and is siezed and knackered now.
Thanks dad, no coke and chicken vents then?
How many 18 year olds even wear a watch these days?
If you're not keen on camping, would organising an event for extended family/friends be an idea (like the boat trip mentioned above?). Hiring a youth hostel or bunk house exclusively for a weekend for a big group can be fun if everyone mucks in with the cooking and entertainment. Walks, board games, just relaxing and catching up with people. People will remember that.
Your Grandad sounds like a great person. What a lovely thing to do.
Great thread.
I’m trying to imagine a life so empty that it would be improved by spending £3,000 on a watch. The mind boggles.
Oh man... so much this.
Great idea! Then you can waste the remainder on vets’ bills for dodgy hips, knees or a palate operation
The kind of problems you get on pedigree dogs, you mean? If you're gonna try to be a smartarse at least be correct.
Do the family actually like camping? I'd be nuts to spend £3k on camping gear for my lot.
I'd start by thinking about what experiences you'd like to have and then work back to how the cash can facilitate that.
I agree the watch idea is horrible.
I’m trying to imagine a life so empty that it would be improved by spending £3,000 on a watch. The mind boggles.
Did I say spend the full £3k?
A nice watch need not cost a fortune and it would be a gift that came not only from Dad, but by extension from Grandpa...
I Never had a hand me down watch from my family, but it is a thing that I know many other families do, and seems like a nice tradition IMO...
Like most others on this thread I still think most of the money would be best spent on experiences for you and your family OP...
Playing devil's advocate,
He left you a chunk of cash in his will. Just because he wanted you to spunk it up the wall on Fun Stuff doesn't mean you have to.
Maybe shove (some of) it in an ISA / other savings account? In 15 years' time your son will likely appreciate a car more than a 4-year old right now would enjoy a tent, and I struggle to see how your granddad would disapprove. Sounds like his primary criterion was for you to actually use it rather than just taking the money to your own grave / spending it on a new fence.
“i just don’t like campsite camping”
Not all campsites are the same - have a gander at Cool Camping. They list really basic sites and really upmarket glampy ones. We found a great place in Devon that only has six pitches in ten acres and actual wooden thrones for toilets! Forestry Commission also have some wild pitches (but you’d need to be self sufficient for water and toilet).
How many 18 year olds even wear a watch these days?
Even fewer in another 12 years, but you've obviously not seen the watch threads that pop up on here from time to time - they're almost pervy. Some men love watches like some women love handbags. It's not a functional thing and it's a bit weird to me, particularly as it can get a bit survivalist with all sorts of matt black quasi-militaria, but that's some blokes for you. Anyway the suggestion was meant as an heirloom and there aren't many things you can give a bloke as an heirloom. He can always go on Flog it.
Anyway, another vote for a boat: sailing dinghy or rowing boat with a Torqeedo depending on where you live. Hours of fun for at least two of the family.
Obviously if not near a river then totally useless!
https://boats-from.co.uk/not-specified/thames-double-camping-skiff-20975