35 Gift Ideas for Grandparents This Holiday Season

Grandparents fill the world with all the things we love, from warm, freshly baked cookies to even warmer hugs. Want to give back this holiday season? We’re sharing a list of the best gifts for grandparents they’re sure to love. Ahead, you’ll find tons of presents to bestow on behalf of you and your little one. And while they all make perfectly good Christmas gifts for grandparents, you can also save these clever ideas for another special occasion.

In this article:
Gifts for grandmothers
Gifts for grandfathers
Gifts for new grandparents
Personalized gifts for grandparents
Unique gifts for grandparents
Photo gifts for grandparents
Useful gifts for grandparents

Gifts for Grandmothers

Without grandmothers there wouldn’t be mothers, and without mothers there wouldn’t be babies. These super-sweet gift ideas for Grandma will show her just how important she is to your growing family.

Custom Tea Towel

This unique “Grandma’s bakery” dish towel puts her own personal stamp on the kitchen she’s graced for so many years. It’s a great way for your kid to thank her for all the treats she’s spoiled them with.

Buy it: Larissa Made This Grandma’s Bakery Kitchen Towel, starting from $12, Etsy.com

Glam-ma Sweatshirt

She’s not a regular grandma; she’s a glamorous grandma. This funny sweatshirt puts her title, “Glam-ma,” on full display, whether she chooses to wear it out and about or lounge around at home in.

Buy it: Oh Hello Sparkle Funny Grandma Glam-ma Sweatshirt, $29, Etsy.com

Poetic Necklace

Searching for sentimental Christmas gifts for grandmas? Try this two-charm pendant necklace. The bottom charm reads, “A garden of love grows in a grandmother’s heart.” Over it rests a beautiful floral vignette.

Buy it: Kathy Bransfield Grandmother’s Garden of Love Necklace, $82, UncommonGoods.com

Symbolic Earrings

Looking for more jewelry grandmother gifts that don’t feel overdone? We love these dried flower earrings too. Get them customized with the bloom that represents Grandma’s birth month, or, for first-time grandmothers, consider a flower that represents the new baby’s birth.

Buy it: Shari Dixon Birth Month Flower Earrings, $40, UncommonGoods.com

Funny Wine Glass

Hey, sometimes Nana needs some “grape juice” too! Get this wine tumbler personalized with whatever your kid calls her. It’s the perfect gift for a grandparent from a toddler who has a sippy cup of their own.

Buy it: Heartland Lettering Nana’s Sippy Cup Wine Glass Tumbler, starting from $17, Etsy.com

Gifts for Grandfathers

On the hunt for creative gifts for grandfathers? Look no further. We’ve found tons of good options for new grandparents and seasoned Papas alike.

“Established” Whiskey Glass

First he was a father; now, he’s a grandfather. Celebrate both milestones with one awesome gift for Grandpa—it spells out when he took on both important roles.

Buy it: Timber and Tine Grandpa Est. Whiskey Glass, $17, Etsy.com

Personalized Keychain

This sweet keychain includes a metal “Grandpa” tag, plus washers to represent each of his grandkids. It’s sure to help him remember his keys—he’ll love showing it off.

Buy it: Metal Expressions Grandpa Gift Personalized Christmas Keychain, starting from $17, Etsy.com

Desk Plaque

Photo gifts for grandparents are always some of the most well-received. They can’t help it, they love looking at snapshots of your kid(s)! Your father will smile whenever he gets a glimpse of this “world’s greatest grandpa” plaque, which serves as a keepsake as well as a badge of honor. The plaid pattern is also wonderfully seasonal, making it an excellent Christmas gift for Grandpa.

Buy it: Shutterfly Greatest Grandpa Plaid Desktop Plaque, $30, Shutterfly.com

Luxurious Gloves

Of course, not all the best gifts for grandpa actually say “Grandpa” on them. If he’s always taken care of you and your children, return the favor and take care of him this winter. Warm, durable gloves are always appreciated.

Buy it: Barbour Burnished Leather Gloves, $89, Nordstrom.com

Meaningful Tool

For the guy who loves working with his hands: a brand new hammer. But this isn’t just any hammer—it represents his bond to his grandchild. Get it engraved with a special, thematic message, like, “I can’t wait to build memories with you” (ideal for a new grandparent from baby).

Buy it: TIME and AGAIN by Russ Grandparents Gift, starting from $24, Etsy.com

Gifts for New Grandparents

Paying tribute to first-time grandparents? That’s where these grandparent gifts from baby come in. They’re all thoughtful presents for people fresh off a promotion to Grandma or Grandpa.

Commemorative Christmas Ornament

When it comes to Christmas gifts for grandparents, you can’t go wrong with a holiday ornament. Get this wooden one engraved with their grandparent name(s) and the year they earned the title(s).

Buy it: Yippee Daisy Grandparents Established Christmas Ornament, starting from $16, Etsy.com

Upgraded Slippers

Before they know it, they’re going to be chasing a crawling, walking and eventually running grandchild. Give them kicks that are up for the challenge: these slipper-like (but much sturdier) shoes. Yes, they come in both men’s and women’s sizes, so you can get them as gifts for grandma and grandpa.

Buy it: Allbirds Women’s Loungers, $95, Allbirds.com; Allbirds Men’s Loungers, $95, Allbirds.com

Tea Gift Set

On a similar note, a new baby means a lot more energy is required of everyone—including the grandparents. How about treating them to a tea subscription? Once their profile is complete, this service sends them a monthly caffeine fix based on their preferences.

Buy it: Sips by Gift The Joy of Tea Discovery, starting from $45 for a 3-month gift card, Sipsby.com

Family Sign

Full disclosure: This editor’s grandparents had a sign just like this and everyone loved it—Grammy, Papa, guests and grandkids included. The base bears the cute message, “Side by side or miles apart, grandchildren are always close to the heart.” Hook on name and birthday plaques for each of their grandkids; you can keep adding them as the family expands.

Buy it: Made with Yove Family Name Sign, starting from $40, Etsy.com

Wisdom Journal

There’s no doubt your parents have learned a lot over their time on this earth so far. Show them how much your value their insights (and want to share them with your little one) with this unique journal. The fill-in book contains pages of prompts asking them to record their thoughts for future generations. They’ll be touched to know you want them to create such a special family heirloom.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods My Life Story - So Far, $30, UncommonGoods.com

Personalized Gifts for Grandparents

Shopping for the unapologetically mushy and gushy? These personalized gifts for grandparents all boast creative customization that sets them apart from other presents for Grandma and Grandpa.

Family Tree Keepsake

If family means everything to them, this keepsake will mean the world. Get the wood slice engraved with rings representing their generation and the ones that came since—plus the ones that came before too, if you’d like! The finished product is delivered ready to hang on their wall.

Buy it: Marked Moments Wooden Family Tree, starting from $60, Etsy.com

Custom Puzzle

Going for a “surprise and delight” moment? Turn a family photo, like one of your new baby or their whole brood of grandkids, into a jigsaw puzzle. Gift it unassembled, let them piece it together and happily await the phone call saying, “It’s finished! How adorable!”

Buy it: Shutterfly Upload Your Own Design Puzzle, starting from $30, Shutterfly.com

Personalized Throw Blanket

This pattern is made up of “building blocks” representing all the things that make their family so amazing, from the people it contains (including baby!) to where they live, what their hobbies are, so on and so forth. It’s soft enough for snuggling but stylish enough to display as a tapestry. Either way, it may just bring a tear to their eyes.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods Fabric of Our Family Blanket Building Blocks, $145, UncommonGoods.com

Engraved Flower Pot

You couldn’t have blossomed without them, and neither can their grandkids. This gift for grandparents from their grandchildren (literally) says, “We love you.” Personalize it with everybody’s names and fill it with beautiful blooms.

Buy it: Shutterfly Hearts Full Grandparents Flower Pot, $35, Shutterfly.com

Drawing Dinnerware

Your kid produces a ton of art—now what to do with it all? Our tip: Turn their favorite masterpiece into a gift for their grandparents. While you could just frame the original work, feel free to get creative. What about having their doodle printed onto one (or a set!) of these ceramic plates? They’re great Christmas gifts for grandparents who host the holiday. Trust us, they’ll want to put them in use right away.

Buy it: Seowoon Oh Personalized Childhood Drawing Plates, $98 each, UncommonGoods.com

Unique Gifts for Grandparents

Brain fried from holiday shopping? (Not to mention caring for a munchkin?) Don’t worry, we’ve thought outside the box for you. Below, find unique gifts for the grandparents who have everything. Or at least they thought they did.

Playful Ice Cream Maker

In your kid’s eyes, Grandma and Grandpa are already the best grandparents ever. But turn their home into a playground-slash-ice cream factory and they’ll reach godly status. They can fill this ball with all the necessary ingredients (instructions and recipes are included), then roll, shake and toss it around with their grandkids for 20 minutes. When they open it back up, they’ll have “magically” made ice cream! The real gift, though, is the quality time they’ll get to spend with their grandchildren.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods Play Your Way Ice Cream Maker, $50, UncommonGoods.com

Faux Snowballs

Here’s another Christmas gift idea for grandparents that’ll help them unleash their inner child, all while encouraging lots of visits from their grandchildren. This bucket of fun contains fake “snowballs” that feel—and crunch!—just like the real stuff. They’re wonderfully silly stocking stuffers.

Buy it: Paper Source Bucket of Snowballs, $20, PaperSource.com

Long-Distance Lamp

Buying for long-distance grandparents? Here’s a heartwarming Christmas gift idea: this pair of friendship lamps. Their grandchild keeps one and they keep the other, and when either party touches theirs’, the other lamp lights up! That way, they’ll always know when they’re thinking of each other, even if they have to spend the holidays apart.

Buy it: John Harrison & Vanessa Whalen Long Distance Friendship Lamp, $170 for a set of 2, UncommonGoods.com

See-Through Bird Feeder

Turn every visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s into a bird-watching excursion. This transparent feeder attaches to their window for a close-up view of the action. It’s a clever gift for grandparents who love nature and want to share that passion with their grandchildren.

Buy it: Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder, $25, Amazon.com

Personalized Wind Chimes

At this age, they’ve started to appreciate life’s little wonders. That’s where this outdoor decor comes in. The seller makes designs for both grandmothers and grandfathers, and the customized chimes produce charming sounds as lovely as the grandchildren they represent.

Buy it: Augusta Wynde Designs Grandma’s Shining Stars Custom Family Ceramic Wind Chime, starting from $40, Etsy.com; Augusta Wynde Designs Grandpa’s Fishing Buddies Custom Family Ceramic Wind Chime, starting from $35, Etsy.com

Photo Gifts for Grandparents

Thought we were finished with photo gifts for grandparents? Au contraire—these sentimental presents deserve a whole section to themselves. Because memories matter, and grandmothers and grandfathers know to cherish them.

Custom Calendar

Give them a whole year’s worth of enjoyment with this Christmas gift for grandparents: a custom photo calendar with 12 months of special snapshots. It’s an extra-meaningful gift for new grandparents from baby—fill it with images from their grandchild’s first year that showcase baby’s growth.

Buy it: Mixbook Photo Co. Custom Hand-Painted Watercolor Square Calendar, starting from $25, Mixbook.com

Unique Display Box

This is one of our favorite gifts for grandparents because of the frame’s adorable message: “Grandparents hold our tiny hands just for a little while but our hearts forever.” Sign off the note with baby’s name and include a couple of family photos.

Buy it: Little Things by Lucy Grandparents Photo Frame, $33, Etsy.com

Classic Photo Frame

Or, fill this timeless picture frame with the first photo ever taken of them with baby. Talk about a tear-jerkingly good gift for new grandparents.

Buy it: Framebridge The Chloe, starting from $65, Framebridge.com

Vacation Photo Shoot

Really want to go all out? Plan a family trip in their honor. Then, book a vacation photographer to capture part of the getaway. Because they’re bound to make memories that last a lifetime, but it never hurts to have hard copies too.

Buy it: Flytographer photo shoot, starting from $250, Flytographer.com

Custom Photo Book

This beautifully bound gift serves as a personalized coffee table book they can flip through whenever they’d like. Customize the colors and page count for a truly bespoke piece.

Buy it: Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Book, starting from $59, ArtifactUprising.com

Useful Gifts for Grandparents

Still haven’t found the best gift for baby’s grandparents? When in doubt, go for something practical. Every time they use these everyday items (which will definitely be a lot), they’ll be reminded of the grandchild who loves them.

Holiday Candle

Your kid’s love for their grandparents is one that won’t ever burn out. Nod to that fact with a soothing scented candle. This fancy, holiday-inspired one is a foolproof Christmas gift for grandparents.

Buy it: NEST Holiday Classic Candle, $42, PaperSource.com

Cute Eyeglass Holder

Sometimes the best gifts for grandparents are ones that solve everyday hassles. Consider their daily search for their glasses officially canceled, all thanks to this too-cute bird-shaped eyeglass holder.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods Songbird Eyeglass Holder, $28, UncommonGoods.com

Stylish Luggage Tags

If they travel a lot to visit you and your kids, their luggage is probably beat up. Make all those flights better with brand new gear, like these sophisticated luggage tags. What’s better than Christmas gifts for grandparents they can use for the plane ride home?

Buy it: The Tie Bar Leather Luggage Tag, $12 each, TheTieBar.com

Video Calling Device

Here’s yet another great gift for long-distance grandparents. This smart device lets them video chat with their grandchildren in a snap. But that’s not all—it’s got an amazing augmented reality feature that animates the screen for digital story time!

Buy it: Facebook Portal Plus, $350, Amazon.com

Matching Family Robes

Get everybody in on the holiday tradition with matching family pajamas for you, your children and their grandparents. That said, these cozy robes can be worn well past the holidays, which means this is still one of the more practical Christmas gift ideas for grandparents.

Buy it: #followme Matching Velour Buffalo Plaid Family Lounge Robes, starting from $20 each, Amazon.com

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, some of which may be sponsored by paying vendors.

Published August 2019

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