Your grandparents cherish the moments spent with their grandchildren, but they also deserve something special occasionally. Whether it’s for Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, or an anniversary, surprising them with a thoughtful gift can show how much you care. It’s all about making them feel loved and appreciated; a unique present can do just that.
Consider their hobbies when choosing the perfect gift. If they enjoy gardening, cooking, or playing board games, there are plenty of gift ideas for grandparents that can bring joy to their everyday lives. Even a cozy gift for relaxing at home can become a lasting reminder of your love. Taking the time to find something that resonates with their interests will truly make your gesture stand out.
Perfect Gift Ideas for Grandparents
For most grandparents, nothing beats the joy of spending time with their grandkids, but a thoughtful gift can also bring them much happiness. They have various interests beyond family, and exploring those can lead to some wonderful surprises. If you’re looking for inspiration, our gift guides feature a treasure trove of ideas, including some of the best retirement gifts to make your day special.
1. Framebridge The Ornament
Framebridge offers a delightful way to capture family memories with its small, classic framed ornaments in silver wood. For just $4, you can upload your favorite photos to create a unique ornament perfect for the holidays or any occasion. We love the mini 2-by-3-inch size, available in vertical and horizontal designs, elegantly hung on a blue velvet ribbon. Each ornament showcases your cherished photo and includes a built-in envelope on the back for storing notes, memories, or stories about the moment. Plus, it arrives beautifully packaged in a green gift box, making it a thoughtful gift right out of the box.
2. Lakeshore The Chess Teacher
The Chess Teacher is a fantastic option for grandparents looking to introduce their young grandkids to the game of chess. This set features each piece labeled with its name and helpful diagrams on the base, like “bishop” with arrows showing its moves, making it easy for little ones to learn as they play. Measuring 15 by 15 inches, it’s also budget-friendly, so when the grandkids are ready to level up to a more advanced set, storing this one away won’t be a hassle. It’s a wonderful way to nurture a budding chess champion.
3. Me Issey Miyake Trunk Pleats Bag
We’ve noticed many stylish grandmas sporting Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please bags, and if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, check out the 19-inch-tall Me Issey Miyake Trunk Pleats Bag. This versatile tote expands like an accordion, going from 1.5 to 15 inches wide when filling it up. While it has a minimalist design with no interior pockets, it features the brand’s signature pleats and comes in 12 vibrant colors. It’s the perfect companion for a day at the art museum, a stroll through a sculpture park, or to toss into a suitcase for some last-minute shopping.
4. MyDaVinci Custom House Portraits
Many grandparents dedicate their lives to creating a warm and welcoming home for family gatherings, holidays, and cherished memories. To honor their hard work and the love that fills those walls, consider a MyDaVinci Custom House Portrait. Upload a high-resolution photo of the front of their house and choose from artistic options like watercolor, pencil sketch, or oil painting.
In just two to five business days, you’ll receive a charming proof to review, with the option for revisions. Once you give the green light, they’ll print it on your choice of semi-gloss paper or canvas and ship it to you. We ordered a lovely 5-by-7-inch watercolor of our family cabin, and it instantly became an heirloom that has drawn compliments from every guest.
5. Gardener’s Supply Puddle-Proof Tote
If your grandparents love spending time in the garden, they’ll appreciate the Gardener’s Puddle Proof Tote for lugging around their trowels and rakes while weeding and planting. This thoughtful canvas bag features eight exterior pockets with cords to keep their tools securely in place and a handy pocket for seeds, twine, or labels. With suede-trimmed handles for comfort and a rubber bottom to keep everything dry, it’s the perfect companion for their gardening adventures.
6. Gardener’s Supply Company Deep Seat Garden Kneeler
Gardeners of all ages will love the comfort and versatility of this half-bench, half-kneeler. When you place the Deep Seat Garden Kneeler bench side down, it provides a cushioned knee protector with handy handles for support while getting up. Flip it over, and it becomes a cozy seat for taking breaks during yard work. Its powder-coated steel frame is rust-resistant, so your gardening grandparent can use it without worrying about morning dew or sudden summer showers. It’s the perfect companion for their green-thumb adventures.
7. Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles
We love the Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles, which are designed for comfort and versatility on the trail. With their molded cork grips, these poles feel great in your hands, and the four-season flex tips come with removable baskets for added convenience. They’re super easy to adjust with a lever flick, making them suitable for hikers ranging from just under 5 feet to over 6-foot-5. Crafted from durable aluminum, these poles are sturdy, comfortable, and remarkably quiet while you hike, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable outdoor experience.
8. Gingiber Tea Towel Club Subscription
Arkansas artist Stacie Bloomfield creates delightful tea towels featuring vibrant flora-and-fauna screen prints, and a Gingiber Tea Towel Club Subscription makes a wonderful gift for your grandparents. Each month, this small, woman-owned business will send them a beautifully designed cotton flour-sack tea towel exclusive to subscribers. They’ll receive their first towel within a week and then another each month until you decide to cancel. Plus, the price includes taxes and shipping, and Gingiber can even pause deliveries if needed. While the cost per towel might seem a bit high, think of them as charming paper towel replacements—or, even better, as functional pieces of art for their kitchen.
9. Qwirkle
Qwirkle is a fantastic matching game that combines strategy and a bit of luck, making it genuinely fun for the whole family. Staff writer Samantha Schoech has been playing it with her family since her kids were around 7, and now that they’re 16, it still makes regular appearances on game night. The idea is to use Scrabble-like tiles to create runs of colors or patterns, and the best part is that it requires no math (aside from keeping score) or spelling, so even little ones and those who might take their time can easily join in the fun.
10. Qilebi Watering Can
The Qilebi Watering Can is a standout choice for gardening grandparent to keep their plants happy and hydrated. It’s sleek and attractive and holds a generous half-gallon of water, more than many other options, so they can tend to multiple plants without constant refills. The long spout makes it easy to reach the soil of even the biggest, bushiest plants, and the removable rose accessory allows for a gentle shower of water across a whole collection of pots at once. It’s a thoughtful addition to any gardener’s toolkit.
11. Glerups Slip-On With Leather Sole
As your grandparents age, it’s natural for their feet to feel chillier; one day, you might experience that, too. But staying warm doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice style. The Glerups Wool Slippers, our top upgrade pick, blend the comfort of a slipper with the sophistication of a house shoe, featuring a smooth leather outsole and a cozy felted wool body. The rubber-soled version might be a perfect fit for grandparents who enjoy the indoor/outdoor lifestyle, whether puttering around the garden, walking the dog, or grabbing the newspaper. Both styles have an open-heel design, making them easy to slip on without too much bending or fuss, ensuring warmth and comfort in style.
12. Sangean WR-11SE
If your grandparents aren’t quite ready to embrace Alexa and prefer something more classic, a beautiful tabletop radio could be just the gift they need. The Sangean WR-11SE is our top pick, known for its impressive sound quality and reliable reception. One of its standout features is the easy and precise tuning, with a green LED above the dial lights up when they’ve locked onto a station’s strongest signal. Plus, for the smartphone-savvy, it includes an auxiliary analog audio input for added convenience. With its charming walnut finish, this radio brings a touch of nostalgia that your grandparents will surely appreciate.
13. Shutterfly Upload Your Design Puzzle
If your grandparents enjoy puzzles, they’ll love putting together one featuring a cherished family photo. Shutterfly offers customizable puzzles in various sizes, ranging from 60 pieces (10 by 14 inches) to a whopping 1,014 pieces (20 by 30 inches). There’s even a kid-friendly version that’s 11 by 14 inches with 30 larger, thicker pieces, perfect for puzzling with the grandkids. Just be thoughtful about your chosen photo; an image of a distant landscape with everyone on a snow-covered hill and a bright blue sky could turn into an unexpectedly challenging puzzle.
14. Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar
Grandparents love showcasing their kids and grandkids, and the Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar makes it even easier for them to do just that. This customizable calendar is made from 100% recycled paper fibers, a nice touch. We love that the photos can be torn off along perforated edges, allowing them to keep those memories forever—no more calendars that get tossed aside at the end of the year. Plus, its sleek design includes customizable birthday and event reminders and plenty of space for jotting down appointments and other important dates, making it both practical and beautiful.
Finding the Perfect Gift Ideas for Grandparents to Cherish
Finding the perfect gift for your grandparents can be a heartwarming way to show them how much they mean to you. Whether a thoughtful tabletop radio that brings back fond memories or a customizable puzzle featuring a cherished family photo, these gifts can add a special touch to their everyday lives. Consider their hobbies and interests as gifts that resonate with what they love and will truly stand out. From gardening essentials to games that bring the family together, the right present can spark joy and create lasting memories.
Ultimately, it’s all about making your grandparents feel appreciated and loved. Each thoughtful gesture, big or small, reminds them of the special bond you share. So, as you explore these gift ideas, remember that the love and thought behind the gift truly counts. With a little creativity and consideration, you can find something that delights them, strengthens your connection, and creates new moments to cherish together.
