While we love them more than anything in the world – when it comes to holidays or birthdays, grandparents can be some of the hardest folks to buy for! It seems they have everything they want or truly aren’t interested in anything else. This is why you may be looking for gift ideas for grandparents!
Over the past few years, as my grandparents have aged, I’ve spent a good bit of time brainstorming what makes a truly meaningful gift to them. I don’t want to give them just “clutter” but instead, want to encourage them in their phase of life and use each gift as an opportunity to show them how much we care. Depending on the age of your grandparents (or your parents, if you’re helping your kids give a gift), a few main things might be important to them:
- Independence and/or thriving at home
- Health, both physical and mental
- Helping others
- Family, family, and more family 🙂
With these in mind, here are some of my tried-and-true gift ideas for grandparents and any elderly loved one in your life!
Affiliate Disclaimer
This blog includes “affiliate links” where I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking the link at no additional cost to you. However, all opinions are my own and I only endorse companies that I genuinely recommend.
We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in affiliate programs with other sites and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
This sort of income helps make this blog possible, so thank you!
10 Gift Ideas for Grandparents
1. Digital Photo Frame
To be honest, I am starting with my absolute favorite gift. This is a great gift idea for grandparents whether they are still independent living at home, or if they are in a nursing home. Digital photo frames allow them to constantly see all the people who love them & be reminded of happy memories together.
You can load all the photos on the frame and set a timer for it to change pictures. No technological experience required!
2. Ancestry Test
I think really fun gift ideas for grandparents or older family members are DNA tests or family mapping services. Most members of this older generation would find it fascinating to learn more about where they come from or even more recent specifics of their family tree.
3. Photo Gifts – of any kind!
Amazon and Etsy are full of ways to give photos of your family to grandparents and elderly loved ones. Similar to the photo frame, this brings smiles into their home and lives – whether it’s a canvas for their room, a calendar with photos each month, or refrigerator magnets you can update every year.
This is especially great if your family takes professional photos at a certain time each year, but a collage of candids & everyday photos is just as special 🙂
4. Sun Therapy Light
This particular gift is one that is most appropriate for individuals who are homebound or live in a nursing home. When you aren’t able to regularly get out of the house, the lack of sunshine can increase your tendency toward depression.
While this tool certainly won’t solve everything, some people claim that the light simulates the sun and can actually improve your mood! Feel free to do your own research but this can be a really practical gift if your loved one is on board.
5. Family Birthday Calendar
I have given this to all of my grandparents, and it is always such a special and meaningful gift! Again, along with the theme of how much they LOVE their family (both immediate and extended), a birthday calendar helps them keep track of everyone’s big days and feel “in the know”.
You can follow DIY instructions here, or you can pay to have one made through Etsy!
6. A Modification Around the House
If your loved one is aging and feeling more unsure around their home, any gift that helps them feel more comfortable will be appreciated! AARP has several recommendations to make their space safe and accessible – like widened doorways, zero-threshold entryways, or brighter lights.
While this may not feel like a traditional gift to you, it will speak to their needs and make them feel known & loved. That’s what it’s all about anyway!
7. A Donation to a Charity they Care About, or Volunteer with Them
As people age, they often become less concerned about receiving and more focused on giving. (We could stand to learn from them, you know?)
Consider what charities or causes they give their time and/or money to regularly. Could you make a donation in their honor? Most organizations will send an acknowledgment that you can present as the gift to your loved one with a sweet note about their giving spirit.
If you have a larger budget, research if the organization has a special opportunity to name a brick in a new building or sponsor a specific service (if your grandparent likes that kind of recognition).
Lastly, if your loved one is still actively volunteering, schedule a time to go with them! Not only is this supporting a cause they care about, it is also quality time – which is truly the ultimate gift.
Keep in mind these are also amazing clutter-free gifts if the grandparents in your life already have enough stuff!
8. A Planned Day or Date Together
Speaking of, you can simply give the gift of time! Find a great restaurant or take them to their favorite local spot. Book a new activity to do together, depending on your grandparent’s ability to participate – whether it’s a class or an opera or a spa treatment. This can be as inexpensive or lavish as you want!
9. A Book or Audiobook
While a good book can be a great go-to source of entertainment (especially if you surprise them with one they’ve been wanting to read or something you think they will love), an interesting alternative is an audiobook. If your grandparent is younger and always on the go, this may be a fun thing to introduce them to listen as they drive, clean, or work around the house.
If your grandparent is more confined physically – perhaps with diminished eyesight and/or hand dexterity- this can be a great option for them to still be mentally engaged without having to read or turn the pages themselves. Even better – make it a book that you will read or listen to yourself, and that’s just one more way you can connect! With a free trial of Audible through this link, you can get 2 audiobooks for free!
Or, even better, you can purchase an ongoing Audible subscription as a gift here – available in 1, 3, 6 and 12-month options.
10. A Photo Book or Collection of Letters
Whatever they were passionate about so far in their lives, find a way to capture it in a fun photo book, or ask others to write letters of reflection. A great idea is to fill it with notes from family members. You could also create a book of experiences and work accomplishments with notes from friends and former colleagues. Especially if your loved one feels loved through “words of affirmation”, this is a great way to help them reflect on & appreciate their legacy and how much they helped others.
What do you think of these Gift Ideas for Grandparents?
Are you considering any of these gift ideas for grandparents? Do you think your elderly loved ones would enjoy any of these gifts? Have you found something that is especially meaningful or helpful to older family members?
By: Brennan Brown
Other Gift Guides & Resources:
While we love them more than anything in the world – when it comes to holidays or birthdays, grandparents can be some of the hardest folks to buy for! It seems they have everything they want or truly aren’t interested in anything else. This is why you may be looking for gift ideas for grandparents!
Over the past few years, as my grandparents have aged, I’ve spent a good bit of time brainstorming what makes a truly meaningful gift to them. I don’t want to give them just “clutter” but instead, want to encourage them in their phase of life and use each gift as an opportunity to show them how much we care. Depending on the age of your grandparents (or your parents, if you’re helping your kids give a gift), a few main things might be important to them:
With these in mind, here are some of my tried-and-true gift ideas for grandparents and any elderly loved one in your life!
Affiliate Disclaimer
This blog includes “affiliate links” where I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking the link at no additional cost to you. However, all opinions are my own and I only endorse companies that I genuinely recommend.
We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in affiliate programs with other sites and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
This sort of income helps make this blog possible, so thank you!
10 Gift Ideas for Grandparents
1. Digital Photo Frame
To be honest, I am starting with my absolute favorite gift. This is a great gift idea for grandparents whether they are still independent living at home, or if they are in a nursing home. Digital photo frames allow them to constantly see all the people who love them & be reminded of happy memories together.
You can load all the photos on the frame and set a timer for it to change pictures. No technological experience required!
Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frame
Anna Bella Digital Photo Frame 10.1 Inch
2. Ancestry Test
I think really fun gift ideas for grandparents or older family members are DNA tests or family mapping services. Most members of this older generation would find it fascinating to learn more about where they come from or even more recent specifics of their family tree.
MyHeritage DNA Test Kit
tellmeGen DNA Test Starter
3. Photo Gifts – of any kind!
Amazon and Etsy are full of ways to give photos of your family to grandparents and elderly loved ones. Similar to the photo frame, this brings smiles into their home and lives – whether it’s a canvas for their room, a calendar with photos each month, or refrigerator magnets you can update every year.
This is especially great if your family takes professional photos at a certain time each year, but a collage of candids & everyday photos is just as special 🙂
4. Sun Therapy Light
This particular gift is one that is most appropriate for individuals who are homebound or live in a nursing home. When you aren’t able to regularly get out of the house, the lack of sunshine can increase your tendency toward depression.
While this tool certainly won’t solve everything, some people claim that the light simulates the sun and can actually improve your mood! Feel free to do your own research but this can be a really practical gift if your loved one is on board.
LASTAR Light Therapy Lamp
Verilux® HappyLight® Touch Plus
5. Family Birthday Calendar
I have given this to all of my grandparents, and it is always such a special and meaningful gift! Again, along with the theme of how much they LOVE their family (both immediate and extended), a birthday calendar helps them keep track of everyone’s big days and feel “in the know”.
You can follow DIY instructions here, or you can pay to have one made through Etsy!
6. A Modification Around the House
If your loved one is aging and feeling more unsure around their home, any gift that helps them feel more comfortable will be appreciated! AARP has several recommendations to make their space safe and accessible – like widened doorways, zero-threshold entryways, or brighter lights.
While this may not feel like a traditional gift to you, it will speak to their needs and make them feel known & loved. That’s what it’s all about anyway!
Drive Medical 2-in-1 Raised Toilet Seat
Drive Medical Shower Chair
OEXEO 2PCS Grab Bars for Bathroom
7. A Donation to a Charity they Care About, or Volunteer with Them
As people age, they often become less concerned about receiving and more focused on giving. (We could stand to learn from them, you know?)
Consider what charities or causes they give their time and/or money to regularly. Could you make a donation in their honor? Most organizations will send an acknowledgment that you can present as the gift to your loved one with a sweet note about their giving spirit.
If you have a larger budget, research if the organization has a special opportunity to name a brick in a new building or sponsor a specific service (if your grandparent likes that kind of recognition).
Lastly, if your loved one is still actively volunteering, schedule a time to go with them! Not only is this supporting a cause they care about, it is also quality time – which is truly the ultimate gift.
Keep in mind these are also amazing clutter-free gifts if the grandparents in your life already have enough stuff!
8. A Planned Day or Date Together
Speaking of, you can simply give the gift of time! Find a great restaurant or take them to their favorite local spot. Book a new activity to do together, depending on your grandparent’s ability to participate – whether it’s a class or an opera or a spa treatment. This can be as inexpensive or lavish as you want!
9. A Book or Audiobook
While a good book can be a great go-to source of entertainment (especially if you surprise them with one they’ve been wanting to read or something you think they will love), an interesting alternative is an audiobook. If your grandparent is younger and always on the go, this may be a fun thing to introduce them to listen as they drive, clean, or work around the house.
If your grandparent is more confined physically – perhaps with diminished eyesight and/or hand dexterity- this can be a great option for them to still be mentally engaged without having to read or turn the pages themselves. Even better – make it a book that you will read or listen to yourself, and that’s just one more way you can connect! With a free trial of Audible through this link, you can get 2 audiobooks for free!
Or, even better, you can purchase an ongoing Audible subscription as a gift here – available in 1, 3, 6 and 12-month options.
10. A Photo Book or Collection of Letters
Whatever they were passionate about so far in their lives, find a way to capture it in a fun photo book, or ask others to write letters of reflection. A great idea is to fill it with notes from family members. You could also create a book of experiences and work accomplishments with notes from friends and former colleagues. Especially if your loved one feels loved through “words of affirmation”, this is a great way to help them reflect on & appreciate their legacy and how much they helped others.
What do you think of these Gift Ideas for Grandparents?
Are you considering any of these gift ideas for grandparents? Do you think your elderly loved ones would enjoy any of these gifts? Have you found something that is especially meaningful or helpful to older family members?
By: Brennan Brown
Other Gift Guides & Resources: