Grandparents often say they don’t need anything, and many mean it. What they tend to value is time with the family, news about the grandchildren and something to keep. The best gifts combine those.
Photo gifts
- A printed photo album of the year. Choose 30 to 50 photos, write the names and dates underneath, and put the grandchildren’s drawings in the last pages.
- A wall calendar with family photos, one for each month, with birthdays already marked.
- A digital photo frame. If you choose one that receives photos over the internet, set it up before you give it, and make sure the family knows how to send pictures to it.
Made by the grandchildren
- A drawing or a painting, framed
- A handwritten letter about a favorite memory together
- A recipe card in the child’s handwriting for a dish they make together
- A short video of the grandchildren singing, reading or telling a joke
These cost almost nothing and are often the gifts that stay on the shelf the longest.
Time together
- A lunch or brunch reservation with the grandchildren
- Tickets to a concert, a play or a game they would enjoy
- A day trip you plan and drive
- A standing date, such as a monthly video call or a Sunday walk, written on a card
Practical comforts
- A cozy throw blanket
- Specialty tea or coffee
- Playing cards (large-print if they prefer them) or a jigsaw puzzle for family visits
- A box of stationery and stamps, with the grandchildren’s addresses written in an address book
- Slippers
Long-distance grandparents
When the family lives far away, the best gifts keep them in touch through the year:
- A shared online photo album that the parents add to every month
- A standing video call on the same day each week
- Stamped, addressed envelopes so the grandchildren can send drawings by mail
- A printed list of the grandchildren’s school events, with the dates of any that will be streamed
Help the grandchildren make it
Children under ten usually need an adult to turn an idea into a gift. Set aside an afternoon, put out paper, pens and photos, and let them choose what to make. The result will be imperfect, and that is the point.
Keep it about them
Avoid gifts that assume what someone can or can’t do because of their age. Many grandparents are busy, active and comfortable with technology. Choose by their interests, the same way you would for anyone else.
Ask the parents
Before you buy, check with the rest of the family what others are giving. Photo gifts are popular, so several can arrive in the same December.
