The Best Grandparent Gifts: A Holiday Shopping Guide

Grandparents are known to shower grandchildren with love. So it’s nice to reciprocate that love by giving them some thoughtful gifts for the holidays. Not sure what to get your grandmother or grandfather for Christmas?

Every grandparent is different, but we’ve compiled some well-loved grandparent's gift ideas that show you value their company. These gifts will bring them comfort and joy during the season of giving.

There is always magic in the air on Christmas; maybe it’s the snow, the time with family, or the collective focus on unity, peace, and coziness. Every moment and memory with grandparents should be cherished. Christmas is an opportunity to slow down, reminisce, laugh, and make more memories together.

Certain gifts for grandparents can help you do that. Other gifts can simply be admired and act as a reminder of you whenever they see it. Grandparents deserve to be given special gifts because they are matriarchs and patriarchs; they deserve all the love and respect in the world.

Which of these 20 fun gifts for grandparents sounds like a good fit for your loved one?

Slippers are quite possibly the world’s comfiest shoes. Indoor/outdoor slippers with non-slip soles and plush interiors are the most practical option for both grandfathers and grandmothers. They are perfect for wearing around the house, getting the mail, and even gardening. Pick their favorite color and style, like red flannel or fluffy white sherpa.

A good quality charcuterie board is always a classy gift. And it’s fun to use when you visit your grandparent: fill it with the traditional cheese, meat, crackers spread, fruit, or your snack of choice. A charcuterie board is a fun way to make everyday snacking feel gourmet – even if it’s just full of candy!

Buying local art is a great way to support the small businesses and artisans in your area and a unique way to decorate a home. Make a day of it: take your grandparent to a farmer’s market or craft fair and pick something together to hang on the wall. Choose something that complements their interior design or features a subject matter they love.

A nice watch is a very special gift from a grandchild to a grandparent. It’s – pun not intended – timeless. It’s classy. It’s personal and practical. Choose a leather or metallic strap, and find one within your budget. Some watches are designed to be worn with a suit; others are for everyday use. Pick what your grandparent is most likely to like and need.

Playing card games is an excellent way to bond between grandparent and grandchild.

Whether it’s an old classic or a new game to learn together, pick one that caters to their skill set. Strategizing? Counting? Bluffing? There are so many creative card games on the market in addition to the classic deck of 52 playing cards. Find a new favorite to play together!

Does your grandparent need a new book to read or to display on their coffee table? Do they prefer mystery, memoir, or maybe poetry? Perhaps you read together – in which case, get them one that you can read at the same time!

A special mug for your grandparent’s favorite warm beverage is sure to bring a smile to their face. Holding a warm mug is the closest you can get to a hug when you’re separated by distance. Give a grandparent-themed mug or a mug with a silly saying on it!

Let’s face it: as we grow older, our eyes aren’t what they used to be. Grandparents know this all too well. Instead of a boring office magnifying glass, get them a specialty one that’s fun to use. Perhaps the handle or the glass is in a unique shape. Or it’s engraved with a special message from you.

Real or artificial, seasonal or multiseason – a floral arrangement is always a welcome gift to brighten a grandparent’s home. If they have allergies, an artificial bouquet is perfect. Arrange it yourself with stems and flowers, or consult a professional.

A massage can turn an entire day around. It stimulates blood flow and is a healthy habit that relaxes the body and mind – for all ages. Whether it’s a professional massage you can do together or a handheld device to help them ease their muscles any time they please, give your grandparent the gift of relaxation this holiday season.

Give the gift of a couple of nights away for a change of scenery. Whether it’s a beachside hotel or a local bed and breakfast, the adventurous grandparent will appreciate the chance to switch up their routine. Pick a location you know they love, and join them if you can!

A box full of baked goods, chocolates, or candy is always a delight to receive. As many cookies as Grandma has supplied you over the years, return the favor with a new delicious pastry or treat. (Just be mindful of dietary restrictions or tooth sensitivities.)

Gin or bourbon? Mulled wine or eggnog? A nice bottle of their drink of choice is a wonderful stocking stuffer for adult grandchildren to their grandparents. It warms the soul and the body to sip something fireside on Christmas Eve.

If tea or coffee is more your grandparent’s thing, indulge their tastes with a hefty supply of the good stuff! Perhaps you’ve stumbled across a new flavor you think they’ll love. Or, help them stock up on their favorite, so they’ll think of you every time they pour themselves a cup.

There’s a distinct leisurely pleasure in flipping through a magazine. For Christmas, consider paying for your grandparent’s favorite magazine subscription for the next year.

Or get them a new one to fuel their favorite hobby or aesthetic. Architecture, fashion, cars, deep space – there’s a magazine for everything.

Similarly, a TV subscription is an excellent gift idea for grandparents – whether it’s to expand their cable package to give them access to more shows, news, and movies – or a streaming service to let them watch new content at their leisure. Find a show to binge together to keep you connected even if you live far apart.

There’s something so satisfying and peaceful about watching birds out the window.

Gifting a birdhouse or bird feeder is a great option, especially if your grandparent has low mobility. Watching the squirrels and birds compete for seeds or witnessing a family of bluebirds making their home in a birdhouse provides endless entertainment.

A lovely candle, or set of candles, brings warmth and lovely aromas to a room. Scent associations are powerful, and the candle will remind your grandparent of you whenever they light it. A holiday scent like evergreen or cranberry is a universally loved scent. Soy blends, wooden wicks, tea lights, taper candles, a three-wick big glass jar – there are so many varieties!

A fun wall hanging, like “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” by the kitchen bar, or simply a “Welcome” sign, adds warmth and personality to the home.

Relate it to the season, or choose a wall hanging that lays out the “Rules of the House” in a lighthearted way.

Choose one that’s reflective of your grandparent’s sense of humor.

A potted plant to rest on the windowsill brings a touch of life to any room. The Christmas cactus is an excellent choice for the holidays because it blooms around Christmas Time! If your grandparent has the opposite of a green thumb, opt for a low-maintenance plant, like a succulent.

Often, the best grandparent gifts are simple and personal. Here are ten sentimental gifts that are sure to be treasured.

You can’t go wrong with a classic: give a framed photo of the two of you together.

Wood or black frames go with everything. Choose a simple and classic frame for a professional photo or a fun grandparent-themed frame for a casual or silly photo.

If you like getting crafty, put together a photo album with a collection of photos for your grandparent. Choose a theme for the album, like photos of you from your childhood. Leave some pages blank at the end so they can add to it!

Handprints in clay, along with your name and date, cements a moment in time. This is an enjoyable activity for young grandchildren to do for their grandparents – or with them. Imprint your hands together!

Grandparents have many memories to share, and writing them down in a journal is the best way to do it. A written record means you can reflect on it. A blank journal (lined or not) provides ultimate creative freedom. A guided journal provides prompts for topics of reflection – some tailored especially to grandparents, as advice to the younger generation.

Whether it’s a bottomless brunch or a steak dinner, going out to eat together is the gift of quality time, nourishment, and just plain fun! It means your grandparent won’t have to do the work of meal preparation and kitchen clean up, and they can take home leftovers. Choose their favorite place or try a new one together.

As an alternative to eating a fancy meal out, cook your grandparent a meal. Home cooking is a very loving gesture and perfect if they’re not into material things. Cook their favorite family recipe, breakfast for dinner, or a seafood feast.

Music jogs the memory and calms the spirit. It is inspirational, uplifting, and therapeutic. It can breathe life back into someone feeling down, and the right music makes everyone feel young. Get your grandparent music in the form of their choice:

CD, digital download, audio subscription, or even cassette tape. Choose some oldies, a soundtrack to their favorite movie, or new tunes you think they’d love.

Do some genealogy research and print out the family tree. Go back as far as you can go! Again, this is a fun project for grandchildren and grandparents to work on together – though it can certainly take some time. But for a simple family tree, you can easily fill in a tree template with names, print it out, and frame it by Christmas.

Does your grandparent have a beloved pet? Get them a pet-themed Christmas tree ornament, a new dog bed, or a cat toy. All pet owners know that a pet’s joy translates to a human’s joy. After all, pets are fur babies – they are part of the family.

A professional manicure or pedicure is not only fun, it’s a tender act of self-care that you are providing. Gentle attention to their hands and feet will make them feel fresh, renewed, and, most importantly, cared for. (Grandfathers, too!)

Do you have tech-savvy grandparents? Or perhaps you want to help your grandparent become more comfortable with all the convenience, connection, and entertainment that technology offers. Here are some tech gifts to get grandparents.

A digital photo frame is a picture frame that showcases a rotating sequence of photos inside a single frame. Your grandparent will love watching the photo change every few seconds, reminiscing upon the memories cycling before them. Not only is it a fun addition to any room, it’s also a great conversation starter for houseguests.

A tablet or iPad offers the same general uses as a computer or smartphone, but in a “Goldilocks” size: not too big, not too small – just right. Your grandparent can use this portable device to play games, take photos, check email, video chat with you, and more!

When it comes to useful gifts for grandparents, a large monitor is very helpful. Sometimes the font is so small on some screens that it becomes impractical to use. A large monitor allows them to play games and do anything they normally do on a computer screen, but without eye strain.

Sometimes, an overly sensitive touchpad on a laptop is just not easy to use for grandparents. An ergonomically designed mouse, on the other hand, is simple. Whether they use the computer for business or play Arkadium games, spending hours online is all too easy. An ergonomically designed mouse helps keep hands supported and comfortable even after hours of use.

Want more ideas for what to buy grandparents for Christmas? Arkadium offers ultra-affordable subscriptions to play ad-free games. Arkadium also has a fantastic variety of free games online. Is competition your love language? Play against your grandparent and see who wins! Discover memory games, crosswords, sudoku, card games, and more in our selection. Happy gaming!