Holiday

30+ Thoughtful Gifts From Grandkids Their Grandparents Will Love

written by KATHY SISSON

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gifts from grandkids"
gifts from grandkids
Graphics by: Caitlin Schneider
Graphics by: Caitlin Schneider

Holiday gifts from grandkids to their grandparents can be extra meaningful. When I was about 8 years old, I made my grandma a homemade Christmas present. It was a bell necklace on a red string that my mom helped me hand-paint with snowmen and tiny snowflakes. After I gave it to my grandma, she immediately put it on—and wore it every Christmas. When she died decades later, I got the handmade necklace back. She’d saved it all that time.

Whether you’re celebrating their first Christmas as a grandparent or the grandkids are eager to gift something meaningful, keep reading for plenty of gift ideas to get you started. From personalized gifts for grandparents to thoughtful gifts they’ll cherish to experience gifts for creating memories with their grandchildren, the list has it all. Each gift idea from the grandkids was carefully selected to give grandma or grandpa that heartwarming moment when they open it in front of expectant little eyes.

Why Gifts From Grandkids Matter

Back to my grandma’s jingle bell necklace. I think this gift stands out to me among all the other gifts I gave my grandparents because I put a lot of effort into it. I was proud of my work and couldn’t wait for her to open it.

The holidays are so focused on kids. They write letters to Santa to all the holiday magic-making parents do—so teaching kids the joy in giving is a meaningful lesson for the season. Not to mention gifts from grandkids can strengthen the bond between them and their grandparents.

Homemade Gifts for Grandparents

Many kids love a holiday craft project and can create something special and unique to showcase their love for their grandparents. From handmade cards to homemade baked goods, there are plenty of DIY options grandkids can create—with a little help from you—and give to their grandparents.

Homemade Photo Ornaments

Grab pretty ribbon, glitter, paint, popsicle sticks, and some glue to create a memorable—and adorable—handmade ornament from the grandkids to the grandparents.

homemade gifts from grandkids
Source: @alainakaz
homemade gifts from grandkids
Amazon
6″ Popsicle Sticks
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homemade gifts from grandkids
Oriental Trading Company
Self-Adhesive Jewels
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Handprint Art

Who wouldn’t love capturing how tiny their grandkids’ feet or hands are this year? These handprint, footprint, and fingerprint art ideas make it easy to create a keepsake gift.

homemade grandparent gifts from grandkids
Source: Etsy | Light and Timber
homemade gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Charlie and Pine Design
Mistletoes Footprint Art
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homemade gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Nona Wall Art
‘I Caught the Best Grandpa’ Handprint Art
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Painted Jingle Bell Necklace

Yes, this is the gift I gave my grandma in the early ’90s. Use acrylic paint to decorate a jingle bell necklace for a gift she’ll hopefully want to wear every Christmas.

homemade gifts from grandkids
Source: Kathy Sisson
homemade gifts from grandkids
Amazon
Jingle Bell Necklace
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homemade gifts from grandkids
Target
Acrylic Paint Set
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Photo Snow Globe

Choose a favorite photo to slide inside a DIY snow globe. Or if the grandkids are feeling especially creative, help them craft a diorama-style snow globe with mini brush trees and other festive details.

homemade gifts from grandkids
Source: A Kailo Chic Life
homemade gifts from grandkids
Amazon
Snow Globe
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homemade gifts for grandparents
Amazon
Mini Bottle Brush Trees
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Home Baked Gifts From Grandkids

My kids have always enjoyed helping in the kitchen—from using the measuring cups to tasting the final creation—so I know they’d be keen to make something from scratch for their grandparents. Consider making cookies, holiday bark, or even inviting grandparents over for a kid-created meal.

gifts from grandkids
Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction

Their Favorite Things Gift Basket

Do grandma and grandpa have any hobbies they love? Consider having grandkids choose and assemble a thoughtful gift basket with a combination of store-bought and DIY elements. Maybe card-playing grandparents get a personalized photo deck of cards, their favorite snacks, and a coupon for an afternoon of card-playing fun with their grandchild.

gifts from grandkids
Source: @mrscofieldandco

Personalized Gifts From Grandkids

Be prepared to get emotional with these sentimental gifts for grandparents. Choose from photo memory gifts or special keepsakes that preserve their handwriting and artwork at this moment in time.

personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | DIY Philly
Custom Engraved Cutting Board

If grandparents are always in the kitchen, they’ll love this customized cutting board.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Madly Wish
Embroidered Handwriting Tea Towel

Grandkids can write a special message to their grandparents to be embroidered on this keepsake kitchen towel.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Key Heart Arts
Customized Leather Photo Key Chain

A reader and editor favorite, this sweet leather photo keychain can be personalized with Grandpa’s nickname and a photo of his grandchildren.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Rey to Z
Papa Hat

A special gift for a grandfather ready to proudly show off his title. Choose from over 10 colors for this baseball-style cap. Gramps, Pops, Papa, and Grandma hats also available.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Little Roos Embroidery
Grandma Hand Embroidered Sweatshirt

Celebrate grandma with this customizable, handmade cotton crewneck that shows how big of a fan the grandkids really are.

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photo gifts from grandkids
Minted
Photo Puzzle

Do they love puzzles to pass the time? Make a meaningful one with a favorite photo.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Whiskey Sour Design
Grandkids Photo Holder

For the grandparents who love to show off their grandkids, print out some favorite pics for a personalized photo display that doubles as artwork.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Zazzle
First Christmas as a Grandma Photo Ornament

For the first-time grandma embracing her new role, commemorate the year with this photo ornament.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Pottery Barn
Monique Lhuillier Bow Photo Frame

Place a copy of this year’s family photo in this stunning frame for a gift grandparents will love to have on display.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Minted
Photo Calendar

For a gift from the grandkids they’ll love to look at all year, create a custom photo calendar.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Personalization Mall
Grandma Personalized Garden Pot

For the gardening grandparents, gift them a flower pot adorned with the names of all their grandchildren.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Letterfest
Grandma and Me Illustration

Choose your favorite photo of Grandma and her grandkid(s) and turn it into gorgeous wall art.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Letterfest
Custom Grandparent Storybook

Grandkids can write themselves and their grandparents into this customized storybook.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Maisonette | Mr. Boddington’s Studio
Grandparent Pen Pal Set

For grandparents who live far away, grandkids can stay connected and practice the art of written correspondence with this pen pal kit.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Hug Letters
Family Newsletter

A thoughtful gift for grandparents who live far away, each month, they receive a heartwarming newspaper with photos and stories from the whole family. Consider giving it as a family gift with all the grandchildren involved.

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photo gifts from grandkids
Shutterfly
Photo Tumbler

Grandparents might already have a lot of coffee mugs, but what about a personalized travel tumbler with photos of their favorite people (and pets!).

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Paper Anniversary Love
Custom Leather Tray with Kids’ Drawings

A heartwarming keepsake made out of genuine leather. Whether your child’s creation is a drawing or scribbles, they won’t discriminate for the engraving process.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Create Gift Love
Child’s Drawing Passport Holder

Are grandparents retired and traveling in their golden years? Make sure they have some reminders of the grandchildren waiting to welcome them home with this customized kids’ artwork passport holder.

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funny gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Hamlin Row Shop
Grandkids Welcome Doormat

A cheeky saying the grandkids will giggle about giving their grandparents to welcome any “others.” Many other personalized doormats for grandparents are also available.

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personalized gifts from grandkids
Etsy | Zeek Creative Shop
Face Socks

Does Grandpa have a good sense of humor? Then gift him a pair of face socks featuring his favorite grandchild!

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Technology Gifts for Staying Connected

One of my grandmother’s favorite gifts—aside from the jingle bell necklace, of course—was a photo printer she received after most of her grandchildren were grown. She also had an iPad, but it was “too complicated.” Instead, each of us could send an email to the printer, and it would automatically print our message and photo(s), helping her feel connected to all 20 of her grandchildren.

While Gen X and Boomer grandparents are way more tech-savvy than previous generations, there are still plenty of tech gifts for grandparents to help them stay connected. Here are a few favorites:

technology gifts from grandkids
Uncommon Goods
Long Distance Lamps

Connect a long-distance grandparent to their little best friend with this friendship lamp, which glows when the other one is touched. It’s the perfect way to say “I’m thinking of you” at anytime. Bonus points for the fact that it’s aesthetically pleasing, too!

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technology gifts from grandkids
Amazon
iPad Holder

For hands-free FaceTime calls, gift the grandparents an iPad holder to make it easier.

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technology gifts from grandkids
Aura
Digital Photo Frame

Display an unlimited amount of family photos with this sleek digital picture frame available in three colors and matting options. Plus, the Aura app makes it easy to upload new photos right from your phone.

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technology gifts from grandkids
Amazon
Echo Show 15

With the latest model of Amazon’s Echo Show, grandparents can play music, watch shows, display family photos, and more.

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Experience-Based Gifts for Grandparents

Many grandparents may feel like they already have everything they need. But they’ll never turn down making memories with their grandchildren. Experience gifts from grandkids could include:

  • Tickets to a Show or Event. Grandparents and grandchildren could attend together, like a play, sporting event, cooking class, or another event everyone will enjoy.
  • A Year-Long Membership. If grandparents are in town, consider gifting them a membership to the zoo, favorite museum, or other local attraction they’d love to visit with their grandkids.
  • A Family Photoshoot. We know it can be tough finding time for family photos with your immediate family. There’s the photographer, the location, the coordinating photo shoot outfits. But why not include grandparents for a multi-generational family photoshoot capturing moments you’ll all treasure?
  • Something to Plant Together. Is Grandma a gardener? Or does Grandpa love to landscape? Consider a green gift this year, in the form of a tree or other live gift you can plant and grow together.
holiday gift guide 2024

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Kathy Sisson the everymom
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor

A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.