50+ Gifts for Grandparents. Categories for homemade, unique, inexpensive, useful, gifts for grandparents who have everything, & more.
The very best gift you could probably give the grandparents in your life is the presence of their children and grandchildren. But sometimes you want to give them something else too. Grandparents can be hard to buy for. For one thing, they’ve been around awhile and have had a chance to buy pretty much anything they want! For another, they’re probably not announcing what they want.
But don’t worry. I have you covered. There are a variety of categories below for you. Whether you’re looking for something homemade from the grandparents. Or gifts for grandparents who have everything. There are gift ideas below.
If you’re looking for gifts for grandparents day, it’s a birthday, or you’re just looking for something under the tree at Christmastime, I hope you find something helpful.
(Please note that some gifts will be under more than one category…for example the customized calendar is both a great sentimental gift as well as an inexpensive gift for grandparents).
Table of contents
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Sentimental Gifts for Grandparents
First of all, also check out the “Homemade Gifts for Grandparents” section below. Something homemade is always the perfect thoughtful gift for grandparents. But I also have a few store-bought items included. Sometimes we just don’t have the time or inclination to whip up something homemade.
• DIY Memory Jars. The key to this is to get together for the occasion (whether it’s a birthday, Christmas, or Grandparent’s Day) and share the memories.
• Easy DIY Wall Art. Take some favorite photos and make a unique piece of wall art.
• Digital Photo Frame– I can’t rave about this gift enough. My grandma has one. I didn’t even know it until she started telling me how my cousin had uploaded pictures of my new baby to it and how she loved to see him every time he came up. I texted my cousin immediately- all sentimental- profusely thanking her for being so thoughtful. My mom has had one for years. And I have to admit I kind of like watching all the flashback scenes when I visit home.
I recommend the Pix-Star in particular because of the easy set-up. And because it has an app that people can add photos to. So multiple family members can add photos to the photo frame from anywhere. Meaning you can constantly surprise the grandparents with new pictures.
To make this gift sentimental, make sure you help them set it up and load it with plenty of pictures! Just handing over a digital frame isn’t very thoughtful.
• What I Love About Grandma book or What I Love About Grandpa book. Spend a little time and fill in the blanks and pages with sentimental thoughts and memories that they can’t get anywhere else.
• Customized Calendar. Upload some photos and have a calendar made. A thoughtful gift that they’ll use all year long.
• Customized puzzles. There are a ton of options for this. Snapfish has multiple designs, including both single photo and photo collages with words. This Etsy seller also does personalized photo puzzles. To make it even more thoughtful, make sure to take the time and put together the puzzle with them.
• Custom recipe towel for kitchen. Scan in your favorite recipe card from grandma and have a custom towel made.
• Custom-made photo book. Take their favorite pictures and have them made into a professionally printed photo book. Especially great in this era of digital when photos so easily get lost on hard drives and we never see them again!
• Personalized family recipe board. Take a family recipe and have it engraved on a beautiful cherry wood board. Guaranteed to bring good memories to mind every time they use it.
Homemade Gifts for Grandparents
Homemade gifts are something I know something about. For years, I came up with unique, homemade gifts. My best was probably my “100 Things I Love About You” book (details below). But I also learned how to make gel candles and put all the grandkids names in them (that took a long time), painted stuff, made picture frames, and more.
• Handprint photo frames. These combine a handprint to keep forever along with a photo.
• Homemade wooden sign to display photos.
• Decorate cloth napkins and give them as a gift.
• 100 Things I Love About You. I made this when I was in 8th grade, so I was stuck with local materials (and this was before Amazon…yes, I’m that old…haha). I got a small 100-photo album. I actually sewed a cover and embroidered the words “100 Things I Love About You” on it. But now I would use a computer and design a pretty insert for the front of the book. Then on each of the pages, slip in a piece of paper with something that you love about them. Feel free to add stickers, graphics, etc. to illustrate your points.
• But, if that seems like too much work, they now also make pre-printed journals to fill out!
100 Things I Love About Grandma and 100 Things I Love About Grandpa are still (kind of) homemade since you have to fill out all the details inside.
• Rainbow crayon art canvas. I like that this includes a photo of the child along with being homemade.
• I’m forever a fan of giving food- especially homemade food- for gifts. While I have a ton of sweets on my site that would work, I especially suggest the following:
–Christmas Peppermint Bark. Because the colors just look really good together. I realize that finding peppermint is a seasonal thing, though.
–Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies. While I have an entire page dedicated to puppy chows and barks, this one is by far the best.
–Cookie Mix in a Jar. If they love to bake, this might be a good gift to put together. It doesn’t require a lot of skill, but is still homemade.
• Easy DIY Wall Art. Take some favorite photos and make a unique piece of wall art.
Gifts for Grandparents Who Have Everything
This is an area I’m starting to get familiar with. Now that husband and I are 40, our parents are getting older. And have had plenty of time to buy pretty much everything they want. So we spend quite a bit of time trying to come up with gifts for grandparents who have everything. Plus one set of parents is actively trying to clean out their house. Making buying more STUFF kind of counter-productive to what they’re doing.
• Handwritten letter blanket. A bit pricey, but write a handwritten letter to the grandparents. And then have it woven onto a blanket.
• Customized puzzles. There are a ton of options for this. Snapfish has multiple designs, including both single photo and photo collages with words. This Etsy seller also does personalized photo puzzles.
• Take a family photo and have it framed.
• Custom-made photo book. Take their favorite pictures and have them made into a professionally printed photo book. Especially great in this era of digital when photos so easily get lost on hard drives and we never see them again!
• If you don’t want to get a photo book printed and want to stick with digital, then I suggest a Digital Photo Frame. I can’t rave about this gift enough. My grandma has one. I didn’t even know it until she started telling me how my cousin had uploaded pictures of my new baby to it and how she loved to see him every time he came up. I texted my cousin immediately- all sentimental- profusely thanking her for being so thoughtful.
I recommend the Pix-Star in particular because of the easy set-up. And because it has an app that people can add photos to. So multiple family members can add photos to the photo frame from anywhere. Meaning you can constantly surprise the grandparents with new pictures.
• Fresh flowers. Since they’re temporary, it’s something they’re sure not to have hanging around. Plus they’re beautiful and smell nice.
• Legacy journal. They fill it out (not you). The grandparents will love a chance to share some stories and leave something meaningful behind.
• Food gifts- when someone has everything, a consumable gift is always a great idea. Because often the last thing they want is more THINGS cluttering up their house. Some great ideas:
–Party Pack of Tea Drops– give them a chance to try out multiple different types of tea. Without the mess of dealing with strainers or bags.
–Marzipan– looks cute and tastes good. (Make sure they like almonds before you get this.)
–Godiva chocolate– can you every really go wrong with Godiva?
–Chocolate & Caramel Crunch basket– a little pricey, but looks delicious. And something for everyone.
• Whynter Ice Cream Maker– top rated (and with a price to match). But I’m almost certain the grandparents don’t already own it. This is a great gift if they’re into ice cream. Reviews indicate it’s easy to use, quiet, and easiest to clean.
• Family tree gifts. Etsy has quite a few options for personalizing gifts with your family tree. There is a fleece blanket with multiple color options. A bit pricier, but absolutely gorgeous is a wooden family tree sign. There is also a canvas wall art family tree. Particularly unique is this circular wood family tree chart.
• Garden stone. “Grandchildren welcome. Parents by appointment.” Cute and slightly unique. Plus they probably don’t have it already.
Inexpensive Gifts for Grandparents
• Customized Calendar. Upload some photos and have a calendar made.
• Conversation Starter Cards. 135 conversation starter cards to spark up an interesting conversation with the grandparents. Instead of everyone staring at the their phones, have a conversation and bring up memories that will last forever. These “Get to Know Your Grandparents” cards are similar.
• Grandkids Hanging Photos– this cute sign includes plenty of space for hanging photos. And the “open clip” design means the photos can be various sizes. And can easily be switched out.
• 100 Things I Love About Grandma and 100 Things I Love About Grandpa are cheap. And since you’re adding some personal detail, they’re a great gift with some thought behind it.
• Picture frame– Only the best parents get promoted to grandparents. Make sure to include a picture of grandkids and grandparents for this to really be great.
• Decorative sign for house. This cute sign is all about being a grandparent. Cute and cheap. this “Blessed are…” sign is also cute. And a little “punny.”
Unique Gifts for Grandparents
• Customized puzzles. There are a ton of options for this. Snapfish has multiple designs, including both single photo and photo collages with words. This Etsy seller also does personalized photo puzzles.
• Custom-made photo book. Take their favorite pictures and have them made into a professionally printed photo book. Especially great in this era of digital when photos so easily get lost on hard drives and we never see them again!
• This custom photo woven blanket is amazing! I love this type of blanket, so maybe I’m partial. But by adding a personal photo, you’re giving them a unique, useful gift that they’re going to love.
• Custom recipe towel for kitchen. Scan in your favorite recipe card from grandma and have a custom towel made.
• Legacy journal. They fill it out (not you). The grandparents will love a chance to share some stories and leave something meaningful behind.
• Reminder calendar board. Even better if you spend the time and fill out the wooden tags for her (might be a great activity to do with the kids).
• Personalized family recipe board. Take a family recipe and have it engraved on a beautiful cherry wood board. Guaranteed to bring good memories to mind every time they use it.
• Family tree gifts. Etsy has quite a few options for personalizing gifts with your family tree. There is a fleece blanket with multiple color options. A bit pricier, but absolutely gorgeous is a wooden family tree sign. There is also a canvas wall art family tree. Particularly unique is this circular wood family tree chart.
• Easy DIY Wall Art. Take some favorite photos and make a unique piece of wall art.
Useful Gifts for Grandparents
• Customized Calendar. Upload some photos and have a calendar made. A useful gift that they’ll use all year long.
• This custom photo woven blanket is amazing! I love this type of blanket, so maybe I’m partial. But by adding a personal photo, you’re giving them a unique, useful gift that they’re going to love.
Magnetic picture frame for fridge– again, make sure to include some pictures. This frame- since it goes on the fridge- is practical and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
• Food gifts- when looking for USEFUL gifts, food is always a great choice. Plus it has the added benefit of not leaving clutter behind. Some great ideas:
–Party Pack of Tea Drops– give them a chance to try out multiple different types of tea. Without the mess of dealing with strainers or bags.
–Marzipan– looks cute and tastes good. (Make sure they like almonds before you get this.)
–Godiva chocolate– can you every really go wrong with Godiva?
–Chocolate & Caramel Crunch basket– a little pricey, but looks delicious. And something for everyone.
• Customizable doormat. Useful and helps keep the house clean. This is the perfect useful, but personal gift for the grandparents in your life.
• Grandpa and Grandma Tumblers. They keep hot or cold…so good for coffee as well as any chilled beverages.
• Reminder calendar board. Even better if you spend the time and fill out the wooden tags for her (might be a great activity to do with the kids).
• Willow Tree Grandmother keepsake box– functional box for storing small objects.
• Personalized family recipe board. Take a family recipe and have it engraved on a beautiful cherry wood board. Guaranteed to bring good memories to mind every time they use it. And since it’s a cutting board, it’s useful and functional.
• Stone coasters (with photos). Coasters are always useful! And being printed with personal family photos, it provides a touch of thoughtfulness.
Personalized Gifts for Grandparents
• Customized puzzles. There are a ton of options for this. Snapfish has multiple designs, including both single photo and photo collages with words. This Etsy seller also does personalized photo puzzles.
• Take a family photo and have it framed.
• Custom-made photo book. Take their favorite pictures and have them made into a professionally printed photo book. Especially great in this era of digital when photos so easily get lost on hard drives and we never see them again!
• Custom recipe towel for kitchen. Scan in your favorite recipe card from grandma and have a custom towel made.
• This custom photo woven blanket is amazing! I love this type of blanket, so maybe I’m partial. But by adding a personal photo, you’re giving them a unique, useful gift that they’re going to love.
• Customized pillow. Works for grandkid and grandparents that live in different states.
• Personalized family recipe board. Take a family recipe and have it engraved on a beautiful cherry wood board. Guaranteed to bring good memories to mind every time they use it.
• Stone coasters (with photos). Coasters are always useful! And being printed with personal family photos, it provides a touch of thoughtfulness.
• Family tree gifts. Etsy has quite a few options for personalizing gifts with your family tree. There is a fleece blanket with multiple color options. A bit pricier, but absolutely gorgeous is a wooden family tree sign. There is also a canvas wall art family tree. Particularly unique is this circular wood family tree chart.
Gifts for Grandparents From Adults
• Customized puzzles. There are a ton of options for this. Snapfish has multiple designs, including both single photo and photo collages with words. This Etsy seller also does personalized photo puzzles.
• Conversation Starter Cards. 135 conversation starter cards to spark up an interesting conversation with the grandparents. Instead of everyone staring at the their phones, have a conversation and bring up memories that will last forever. These “Get to Know Your Grandparents” cards are similar.
• Take a family photo and have it framed.
• Handwritten letter blanket. A bit pricey, but write a handwritten letter to the grandparents. And then have it woven onto a blanket.
• Legacy journal. They fill it out (not you). The grandparents will love a chance to share some stories and leave something meaningful behind.
• Family tree gifts. Etsy has quite a few options for personalizing gifts with your family tree. There is a fleece blanket with multiple color options. A bit pricier, but absolutely gorgeous is a wooden family tree sign. There is also a canvas wall art family tree. Particularly unique is this circular wood family tree chart.
Do You Have Any Ideas?
I’m always looking to expand my gift guides. Whether it’s my exhaustive “The Ultimate Gift Guide for Men” or this gifts for grandparents guide, I’m looking for ideas. If you have a suggestion, please comment below.
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