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 Grandparent 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.
Personalized Gifts to Grandparents 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.
If grandparents are always in the kitchen, they’ll love this customized cutting board.
Grandkids can write a special message to their grandparents to be embroidered on this keepsake kitchen towel.
A reader and editor favorite, this sweet leather photo keychain can be personalized with Grandpa’s nickname and a photo of his grandchildren.
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.
Grandkids can honor the wisdom of their grandmas with this classic, yet playful cap. It adds personality to any casual outfit and makes a thoughtful gift for the grandmothers who inspire their families daily.
Celebrate grandma with this customizable, handmade cotton crewneck that shows how big of a fan the grandkids really are.
Do they love puzzles to pass the time? Make a meaningful one with a favorite photo.
For the grandparents who love to show off their grandkids, print out some favorite pics for a personalized photo display that doubles as artwork.
Timeless and elegant, these photo frame ornaments can hang on a tree—or a wall—so grandparents can show off their grandchildren.
Place a copy of this year’s family photo in this stunning frame for a gift grandparents will love to have on display.
For a gift from the grandkids they’ll love to look at all year, create a custom photo calendar.
For the gardening grandparents, gift them a flower pot adorned with the names of all their grandchildren.
Choose your favorite photo of Grandma and her grandkid(s) and turn it into gorgeous wall art.
Grandkids can write themselves and their grandparents into this customized storybook.
For grandparents who live far away, grandkids can stay connected and practice the art of written correspondence with this pen pal kit.
Grandparents might already have a lot of coffee mugs, but what about a personalized travel tumbler with photos of their favorite people (and pets!).
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.
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.
Personalize a doormat with their unique grandparent nicknames to welcome family and friends. Many other personalized doormats for grandparents are also available.
Does Grandpa have a good sense of humor? Then gift him a pair of face socks featuring his favorite grandchild!
Care Package Gifts for Grandparents
Whether they live long-distance or a few blocks away, any grandparent would love opening a thoughtfully curated care package filled with their favorite things.
An Edible Gift They’ll Love
One of the only things that can come close to the joy and warmth of hugging their grandkids is a cozy, home-cooked meal. That’s why this package from Spoonful of Comfort is ideal for a low-lift gift that will still mean the world to them. Including soup, rolls, cookies, a mini Dutch oven (!!!), and more, all topped off with a personalized card from your little ones, it’s something they’ll remember receiving forever—because of the thoughtfulness AND how delicious it is.
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.
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.
Homemade Grandparent Gifts From Grandkids
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 ornaments 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, yarn, and some glue to create a memorable—and adorable—handmade ornament from the grandkids to the grandparents.
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.
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.
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.
For an easy personalized gift for grandparents, simply add a winter-themed photo to this LED-lit snow globe.
For a more involved homemade gift for grandparents, grab this crafting snow globe to create a meaningful scene inside.
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:
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!
For hands-free FaceTime calls, gift the grandparents an iPad holder to make it easier.
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.
With Amazon’s Echo Show, grandparents can play music, watch shows, display family photos, and more.
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.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
Products included in feature graphics linked in article.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Spoonful of Comfort but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
