Personalized grandparent gifts

Here are some ideas about gifts for grandparents this holiday season

Selecting personalized grandparent gifts is no easy task. Gift giving occasions throughout the year are many, and ideas, alas, are few and soon run out. Rather than give a gift just for the sake of giving it, learn to think a bit outside that proverbial box and you will find gift ideas that are both unique and memorable. A special picture frame for the display of a poignant moment or a touched up photograph from the long-ago past are just two ideas for personalized grandparent gifts. Ideas are there for the taking if you just find a way to sort through the debris in your mind and find them.

One of the reasons picking a gift for a grandparent is more difficult than for a younger person is because an older person is more prone to say, “ I don’t need anything” or “I can’t really think of anything I need.” There are some questions you can ask that will help you narrow down your choices for personalized grandparent gifts.







What criteria can you use in selecting personalized grandparent gifts?

1- Discover personal interests

What are the grandparents’ favorite interests or hobbies? Try finding a personalized gift related to this. For example, if fishing is a favored hobby, among some cool grandparent gifts could be a monogrammed fishing pole or a reserved afternoon on a fishing charter or nearby lake. If genealogy or handwriting analysis are passionate interests, how about some courses at the local college? Courses in self-improvement also make thoughtful grandparent gifts.

2- Understand physical limitations

Low vision and arthritis are nothing to be ashamed of but they are realistic byproducts of the aging process. Find practical personalized grandparent gifts to make life easier and aid mobility, such as a talking calculator, indoor/outdoor thermometer or a talking bathroom scale.

 3- Keeping minds busy

Games and large piece jigsaw puzzles are wonderful diversions that make satisfying personalized grandparent gifts. Jigsaws can be made from personal photos, which bring a particular pleasure when loved ones are far away. Most digital cameras can take photos of a size that lends itself well to a personal picture puzzle. You can also use multiple photos and make a collage jigsaw puzzle. Piece size is another important variable and you can have them made in almost any size you wish. Bigger pieces fare better with grandparents who may have difficulty holding onto smaller pieces and/or have vision problems.

4- Grandparental-themed gifts

 Would the grandparents enjoy a gift that honors them? Gifts of this type fall into many categories; mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats etc. Or you can consider an afghan that reads: “You Put the Grand in Grandmother” or a “Grandchildren Spoiled Here” doormat.

5- The gift of time

 No matter how much money you spend, there is no gift more precious to a grandparent than time spent with a loved one for a visit or even a lengthy phone call. It is the personal gift that is like no other; a gift from the heart that transcends hefty price tags and fancy store labels.  

Whatever you decide, spend some time when deciding on personalized grandparent gifts. Consider whom the gifts are honoring and this will help you focus on what’s important.

 Our children may be our future, but our grandparents are our legacy.