Gifts for Grandparents They'll Treasure
- 13 gift ideas
- From under $10 to $100 and up
Good gifts for grandparents are keepsakes and shared activities, such as a blanket woven with a family photo, a Wi-Fi photo frame the family can fill, a domino or card game for visits and a window bird feeder. Pair a personal gift with a handwritten note from the grandkids.
Quick picks
- Most sentimental: A blanket woven with a photo of the grandkids A woven family photo they can wrap up in every day. Idea 1
- Best overall: A Wi-Fi photo frame the family fills from afar New photos from the whole family show up without any tech work. Idea 5
- Best under $10: A classic card game kids pick up fast A quick card game for visits that kids learn fast. Idea 7
- Best for bird lovers: A window bird feeder to watch from inside Birds within inches of the glass, visible from the couch. Idea 9
The best gifts for grandparents help you spend time together or keep the family close when you are apart. We sorted these 13 ideas into photo keepsakes, things to do together and everyday comforts, so you can match the gift to the person.
Each idea says who it suits and what to check before you order. If you are wondering what to get grandparents for Christmas, start with the keepsakes, and order personalized items first because they take extra time. For one grandparent, see our Gifts for Grandma guide.
Ideas 1 to 5
Personalized gifts for grandparents from the grandkids
Photo and handmade keepsakes that grandkids and parents can help make.
1. A blanket woven with a photo of the grandkids
A blanket woven with a favorite family photo is a keepsake grandparents can use every day on the couch or bed, which makes it a warm choice from the grandkids. Because it is personalized, it takes time to make, so order early. Choose a sharp, well-lit photo with the whole family in frame.
Tip: Pick a sharp, well-lit photo and order early; personalized items take production time.
2. A framed clay print of a grandchild's hand or foot
A clay print of a baby's hand or foot, framed with a photo, captures a size the little one will never be again, which makes it a sweet keepsake for new grandparents. Parents can make it at home with the baby, then wrap it together. Read the kit's directions first and plan on a calm moment for the print.
Tip: Make the print when the baby is calm, and add the date to the frame.
3. A shared memory journal for both grandparents
A guided journal asks both grandparents about their childhoods, how they met and what they learned, and once it is filled in, it becomes family history for the grandkids. It suits grandparents who enjoy telling stories. Offer to sit with them for the first few entries so it gets started.
Tip: Offer to write down the first story together so they get started.
4. A collage frame for several grandkids at once
A collage frame lets grandparents show off every grandchild together and is easy to update with new school photos, so it suits grandparents with several grandkids. It hangs or stands in a hallway or living room where visitors will see it. Print the photos at the right sizes before you wrap it.
Tip: Check the opening sizes before printing the photos so each one fits.
5. A Wi-Fi photo frame the family fills from afar
A Wi-Fi frame lets everyone send new pictures from their phones, so grandparents watch the grandkids grow without any tech work, which is a good fit when family lives far away. Set up the account and add a first batch of photos before you give it. Check whether the frame's app needs a subscription.
Tip: Set up the account and add a first batch of photos before you wrap it.
Ideas 6 to 10
Things to do with the grandkids
Games, puzzles and hobbies that give everyone something to do at the table or the window.
6. A Mexican Train domino set
Mexican Train is a domino game grandparents and older grandkids can play together, with rules simple enough to teach in one round. Look for a set with a carry case so it travels to holiday gatherings and weekend visits. Keep it at their house so there is always a game ready.
Tip: Check the tile set size on the listing so it matches the number of players.
7. A classic card game kids pick up fast
Skip-Bo is a card game grandparents may already know, and kids learn it quickly, so it is a simple way to play together on visits. It is light enough to pack in a bag. Keep a deck in the car or the guest room for rainy afternoons.
Tip: Keep a deck at each house so it is always on hand.
8. A large-piece puzzle to finish in an afternoon
A 300-piece puzzle with big pieces is easy to handle and can be finished in an afternoon with a grandchild, which suits grandparents who like quiet projects. Larger pieces are easier to see and grip. Clear a table or lay out a puzzle mat so the work in progress can stay out between visits.
Tip: Clear a table or buy a puzzle mat so it can stay out between visits.
9. A window bird feeder to watch from inside
A clear feeder on the window brings birds within inches of the glass, so grandparents and visiting kids can watch from inside, which suits anyone who likes backyard birds. Choose a window with a clear view. Add a bag of birdseed so it is ready to fill the day it arrives.
Tip: Add a bag of birdseed and a bird guide so the first visit can start right away.
10. Binoculars for bird watching and walks
Binoculars turn backyard bird watching into a shared hobby and come along on walks and trips, which suits grandparents who already enjoy spotting birds. Pair them with a field guide so the grandkids can look up what they see. Check the weight and the neck strap before you choose.
Tip: Pair them with a bird guide and a notebook so grandkids can log sightings.
Ideas 11 to 13
Everyday comforts and treats
Easy gifts for grandparents who say they need nothing.
11. A garden kneeler that flips into a seat
A kneeler that turns into a bench makes long sessions in the flower beds more comfortable for grandparents who love to garden. It flips one way to cushion the knees and the other way to become a seat. Look for a weight rating and a pad width that suit the person using it.
Tip: Check the weight rating and storage space before you buy.
12. A fresh fruit and snack gift box
A box of fresh fruit and snacks suits grandparents who say they need nothing, because it gets shared and eaten instead of stored. It also works as a thank-you for a host or a get-together gift for a visit. Because it is perishable, time the delivery for a day when someone will be home.
Tip: Time delivery for a day someone is home, since the fruit is perishable.
13. Wool slippers with a firm sole
Wool slippers with a firm sole keep feet warm on cold floors and handle a quick trip to the mailbox, which suits grandparents who like to be comfortable at home. Unisex sizing works for either grandparent. Check the size chart and the return policy, since fit is personal.
Tip: Check the size chart carefully and keep the gift receipt in case they need another size.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gift ideas for grandparents?
Choose between photo keepsakes, shared activities and comforts. A woven photo blanket, a Wi-Fi photo frame and a memory journal keep the family close, a domino set or card game gives you something to play on visits, and wool slippers or a fruit box suit grandparents who like simple treats.
What are good Christmas gifts for grandparents?
Photo gifts are a natural fit, such as a collage frame or a Wi-Fi frame that fills with new photos all season. Add a game for family gatherings or a gift box of fruit and snacks. Order personalized items early so they arrive before the holiday, and tuck a handwritten note from the grandkids into the box.
What should grandkids give grandparents who say they need nothing?
Give something that gets used up, shared or kept for its story rather than another object to store. A fresh fruit and snack box, a game to play together or a journal that captures their stories all work. Add a handwritten card or a drawing from the grandkids.
What is a good gift from a baby to grandparents?
A framed clay print of the baby's hand or foot is a simple choice, and parents can make it at home. A woven photo blanket or a collage frame with the newest photos also works. Add the baby's name and the date so the keepsake tells its own story.
How much should I spend on a gift for my grandparents?
Spend what fits your budget; with grandparents, time and thought count for a lot. Low-cost ideas such as a card game, a puzzle or a memory journal are easy to give, while a Wi-Fi frame or wool slippers cost more. Several grandkids can also pool money for one bigger present.
