30 Unique Gifts That Will Put a Smile on Your Grandparents’ Faces

Christie Calucchia
·13 min read

30 Unique Gifts That Will Put a Smile on Your Grandparents’ Face

Starting at just $9.

The holidays are usually a time to gather with loved ones you might not get to see often, like your grandparents. And while this year may pose challenges when it comes to visiting with relatives, you can still offer up a little something to show your grandparents how much you care.

Some of the best Christmas gifts for grandparents are the most thoughtful ones. And you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune to impress your family members—the simplest presents, like a photo album filled with cherished pictures or a nostalgic ceramic Christmas tree, will put a smile on your grandparents’ faces.

However, if you want to go all out on a big-ticket item like a home DNA ancestry kit or a time-saving pressure cooker, you can always turn to siblings or cousins to chip in on a gift with you. That way, you can get an unforgettable present for your grandparents without breaking the bank.

If you’re still not sure what to get Grandma or Grandpa, here are 30 gift ideas. No matter their hobbies, passions, or lifestyle, there’s something for everyone.

Here are the best Christmas gifts for grandparents:

Scroll down to read all about these presents, plus more thoughtful gift ideas for grandparents.

DNA Test

What better way to connect with your grandparents than by gifting them an at-home ancestry kit? The 23and Me DNA Test will help them track their family history with a simple online registration and saliva sample. Within eight weeks, they’ll be able to see their ancestral composition, learn about family traits, and perhaps even discover relatives. Although the kit is a bit pricey for a Christmas present, going in with a few siblings or cousins keeps it manageable while giving your grandparents the opportunity to learn more about their past.

Buy It: 23and Me DNA Test ($89, originally $99, Amazon)

Fabric Photo Album

Although you can easily email, text, and share photos digitally, there’s nothing quite like flipping through the pages of a thoughtfully curated photo album. An affordable Christmas gift idea, this simple photo album will only set you back $14 and holds up to 200 photos. Gather pictures from your extended family and put together a book of shared experiences and joyful occasions. Plus, everyone will enjoy flipping through the photos after the gift is unwrapped.

Buy It: Pioneer Photo Albums Fabric Photo Album ($14, Amazon)

Echo Dot

Even if your grandparents aren’t exactly tech-savvy, they can use this smart device. All your grandparents have to do is plug the Echo Dot in, connect it to the internet with the Alexa app, and ask Alexa for whatever they want. The Echo Dot can help them use their smartphone to play their favorite song, check the weather, or turn off the lights. It’s compact, user-friendly, and will make their lives easier.

Buy It: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Smart Speaker with Alexa ($30, originally $40, Amazon)

The 1943 Sears Christmas Book

Wrap up this book to give your grandparents a nostalgic Christmas gift they’re sure to cherish. The 1942 Sears Christmas Book is brimming with interesting holiday traditions and trends from the 1940s. It contains vintage ads for toys and homewares, and it will surely spark plenty of happy memories for your grandparents and an opportunity to make some new ones while you reminisce.

Buy It: The 1942 Sears Christmas Book ($17, originally $20, Amazon)

Thistle Butterfly Puddler

For the grandparent who loves to spend time outside in the garden, this butterfly puddler would make a thoughtful Christmas gift. The stoneware piece not only looks beautiful but also contains special minerals to help attract butterflies. The shallow bowl—decorated with recycled glass—is designed to hold sand, rock salt, or even fruit and water. When the water evaporates over the course of the day, butterflies are drawn to the crystal mixture that remains.

Buy It: Thistle Butterfly Puddler ($40, Uncommon Goods)

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Whether your grandparents are already experts in the kitchen or they're looking to learn a few new tricks, Ina Garten’s latest cookbook would make a great holiday present. It’s filled with comforting recipes and beautiful food photography from one of the most well-known cookbook authors around. Offer to try a few recipes with your grandparents after they open their gift.

Buy It: Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook ($21, originally $35, Amazon)

Grandparent Pen Pal Set

A special way to stay connected, this pen pal set was designed for grandparents and grandkids to keep in touch the old-fashioned way: handwritten letters. It comes with prompts and illustrations to keep your communication fun and lively. The best part is that it will keep you and your family members in touch year round, not just during the holidays.

Buy It: Grandparent Pen Pal Set ($30, Uncommon Goods)

Fitness Tracker

For a health-conscious grandparent, a fitness tracker is a great gift. The Letscom fitness tracker is currently one of the best-selling fitness trackers on Amazon and sells for a reasonable price. It tracks activity, heart rate, sleep, calories, and steps, and it’s waterproof for stress-free daily wear. In addition to tracking that information, it analyzes the data to help your grandparents stay as healthy as possible.

Buy It: Letscom Fitness Tracker ($20, originally $30, Amazon)

Moroccan Amber Reed Diffuser

If your grandparents take great pride in their home, they’ll appreciate a fragrant reed diffuser to make their space warm and inviting. This diffuser offers a bold, spicy scent punctuated with Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope, bergamot, and fresh eucalyptus. It releases the scent over about 90 days.

Buy It: Nest Fragrances Moroccan Amber Reed Diffuser ($48, Nordstrom)

Sun Washed Travel Scarf

Help take the chill out of the winter air by gifting this lightweight and cozy scarf to your grandma. It has frayed edges for a playful touch and comes in four colors. At 64 inches long and 50 inches wide, the scarf can be worn in many ways. Wrap it up for the holidays, then show Grandma how to style it once she opens it on Christmas morning.

Buy It: Free People Sun Washed Travel Scarf ($38, Nordstrom)

Nordic Slipper

Keep their toes warm with a cozy pair of slippers. These feature a plush interior of soft faux fur. A special shock-absorbing design and a durable sole mean Grandpa can wear them outside. Plus, the green-and-black check offers a classic look.

Buy It: Deer Stags Nordic Slipper ($30, Nordstrom)

Leather Journal

This leatherbound journal will inspire your grandparents to write down daily thoughts, memories, and musings. It’s a great excuse for them to take a few minutes to reflect and write or draw every day, which promotes overall well-being. The small, lightweight journal is easy to take on the go but also looks good sitting out on a desk or bedside table. It’s a thoughtful present for grandparents who have a knack for writing or drawing.

Buy It: Moonster Leather Journal Writing Notebook ($21, originally $30, Amazon)

Blue Bucket Electric Ice Cream Maker

Many people have fond memories of getting ice cream with their grandparents. This electric ice cream maker makes it all the easier to do. The clever device churns up to four quarts of homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato using an electric motor. Recipes are included, or you might want to dream up your own concoctions. Reviewers noted that the machine is quick, easy-to-use, and makes a tasty batch of ice cream.

Buy It: Nostalgia 4-Quart Blue Bucket Electric Ice Cream Maker ($30, Walmart)

Crossword Puzzles 2021 Calendar

Crossword fiends will love this daily calendar filled with puzzles from The New York Times. If you know your grandparents reach for the crossword puzzle in the newspaper most days, wrap up this fun yet challenging calendar for them this holiday season. Puzzles get increasingly challenging as the week goes on, just like in the Times.

Buy It: The New York Times Daily Crossword Puzzles 2021 Calendar ($16, Amazon)

Bouquet of Flowers

Whether you’re able to see your grandparents in person for the holidays this year or not, you can send them an expertly arranged floral bouquet from The Bouqs Co. The flower company partners with sustainable farms around the world to deliver fresh, high-quality flowers, like these Asiatic lilies.

Buy It: The Bouqs Co. Asiatic Lilies Bouquet (from $39, Bouqs)

Bridge Gift Set

If you know your grandparents look forward to a night of playing bridge each week, consider gifting them this playing card gift set featuring a bright and colorful design of hydrangea flowers. The set includes two decks of playing cards and two score pads. Jumbo-size typeface means Grandma and Grandpa don't have to remember their readers.

Buy It: Caspari Entertaining Bridge Gift Set ($22, Amazon)

Pressure Cooker

Round up a few siblings or cousins and pitch in to buy this versatile pressure cooker for your grandparents and help them cut down time spent in the kitchen. It’s a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and pressure cooker all in one compact appliance from Instant Pot. Easy-to-use controls will have your grandparents making delicious meals at the touch of a button.

Buy It: Instant Pot Duo Nova 6-Quart 7-in-1, One-Touch Multi-Use Pressure Cooker ($100, Amazon)

Calm Bath Salts

These calming bath salts from Herbivore will provide hours of relaxation for your recipient. The mix contains Himalayan pink salt crystals, floral ylang-ylang, and natural vanilla—a blend designed to ease the mind and body. It’s a great way to treat your grandparents to a bit of self-care this season.

Buy It: Herbivore Botanicals Calm Bath Salts ($18, Nordstrom)

Temperature Control Smart Mug

This temperature-control smart mug keeps hot drinks hot. The sleek mug comes with a chargeable coaster designed to keep any beverage at an ideal drinking temperature (controlled from their smartphone) for as long as the coaster is plugged in. Spend some time showing grandma or grandpa how to work their new smart mug and they’ll never have to drink cold coffee again—no matter how leisurely they sip their daily brew.

Buy It: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug ($100, Amazon)

Chocolate Box

If any of your grandparents have a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates. This elegantly wrapped box from Godiva contains 19 pieces of milk, dark, and white chocolates packed with classic Belgian fillings. The traditional chocolates have been around since 1926, and they’re certainly stood the test of time for a reason.

Buy It: Godiva Chocolatier Classic Gold Ballotin Chocolate Box ($38, Amazon)

Charm Bangle

Give your grandma a thoughtful piece of jewelry that will make her think of you every time she wears it. This silver bangle from Alex and Ani features charms symbolizing stages along the path of life. It’s supposed to represent the idea that everyone is exactly where they belong on their own path. It’s a sweet sentiment you and your grandma can both appreciate, even though you’re on different parts of your life paths.

Buy It: Alex and Ani Path of Life Bangle Bracelet ($28, Amazon)

Yarn Bowl

For crafty grandparents, this wooden yarn bowl would make a functional and stylish Christmas gift. Designed to keep crochet and knitting essentials organized, the 7x7-inch vessel includes holes for storing knitting needles and spooling out the yarn. This set also comes with stitch markers, sewing needles, and a knitting counter. It’s everything a knitting novice or pro needs to get the most out of their hobby.

Buy It: Laborwood Yarn Bowl for Crochet ($42, Amazon)

Rose Morning Eau de Parfum

This perfume from Fresh would make any grandmother feel special. The light scent evokes blooming roses with notes of rose petals, violet leaves, black currant, peach flowers, white tea, and warm amber. Made in France, the perfume is a great Christmas gift idea for a grandma who loves delicate fragrances.

Buy It: Fresh Rose Morning Eau de Parfum (from $25, Nordstrom)

Whiskey-Enhancing Oak Honey Tumbler

If your grandparents are fans of whiskey, they’ll love sipping their spirit of choice from this tumbler. Made from oak, it features a wide base designed to enhance the aroma during the drinking experience. The tumbler is also lined with honey wax that brings out whiskey's subtle flavors. Extra wax ensures every sip is a tasty experience.

Buy It: Whiskey-Enhancing Oak Honey Tumbler (from $14, Uncommon Goods)

Weighted Blanket

When you can’t be there to cuddle up on the couch with your grandparents, this cotton blanket filled with glass beads might feel as comforting. A weighted blanket helps them get a restful night's sleep and a sense of calm. This one comes in a variety of weights, although the brand recommends choosing one that weighs about 10 percent of the person's body weight. It comes in multiple colorways and has an optional duvet cover for easy cleaning.

Buy It: YnM Weighted Blanket ($80, Amazon)

Smartphone Headset with Mic

Help your grandparents listen to their favorite music, shows, and movies with a new pair of headphones. These on-ear headphones from Sony are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and deliver high-quality sound. Unlike newer Bluetooth models, these basic headphones include a cable your grandparents can plug into their devices.

Buy It: Sony Extra Bass Smartphone Headset with Mic ($16, originally $30, Amazon)

Nirvana Midi Robe

Your grandma would be happy to unwrap this super soft robe that wraps her in brushed terry cloth to stay warm and cozy. It comes in pink, gray, and blue and features a removable tie belt, plus pockets for small items. It’s machine-washable and safe to put in the dryer for low-maintenance luxury.

Buy It: Natori Nirvana Midi Robe ($78, Nordstrom)

Wooden Chess Set

Your grandparents are going to need to brush up on strategy for matches of chess on this set. The 15x15-inch board is made of walnut, and a felted interior protects all the chessmen. Challenge them to a game in real life (or over video chat) and start a new holiday tradition.

Buy It: Chess Armory Wooden Chess Set with Felted Game Board Interior ($29, originally $33, Amazon)

Gardener’s Harvest Basket

Let your grandparents show off their green thumb with this durable wooden trug. The wire mesh lets them rinse their freshly picked produce before coming inside. Your grandparents will love being able to bring mud-free fruits and veggies indoors, and it’s a gift that shows you care about one of their favorite activities.

Buy It: Gardener’s Harvest Basket ($50, Uncommon Goods)

Ceramic Christmas Tree

Another Christmas gift that is sure to recall beloved memories of holidays past, this ceramic Christmas tree is only 15 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide. It’s a retro-inspired gift many likely remember from their childhoods. Wrap one up so your grandparents can leave the ceramic statue and its twinkling lights on display for holiday seasons to come.

Buy It: Best Choice Products Ceramic Tabletop Christmas Tree ($40, Amazon)