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Grandparents — who have decades of shopping and gift-giving experience under their belts — can be some of the trickiest people to shop for. But even if your grandmother or grandfather insists that the best gift is more time spent together, a thoughtful present is still a meaningful way to show you care. (Though that quality time is pretty good too.)
To help you find the right gift for your grandparent (be it a ma, a pa, or both) I went through the Strategist’s archives to find the best presents for every type of grandparent we could think of. There’s something for the frequent flyer, the bookworm, and even for the grandparent whose only wish is that you come over for dinner. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can skip ahead to your ideal price point by clicking the table of contents above.
Update on November 22, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Under $25
For the grandparent who sends birthday cards
This “paper time capsule” includes conversational prompts for grandparents and grandchildren to fill out now and look back on in the years to come.
For the grandparent who saves every drawing
With a front-loading design, this picture frame is easy to open and close for whenever their grandchild’s grand oeuvre is completed.
For the grandparent who does the crossword in pen
If Monday and Tuesday puzzles are a breeze for them, they’ll enjoy this book of extra-challenging Saturday crosswords from the New York Times.
For the grandparent who hosts game night …
A cross between Pictionary and telephone, this drawing-focused board game challenges every player to draw a word they’ve been given. At the end of the game, everyone will be laughing no matter their artistic ability.
… And the grandparent who hosts barbecues
Whether they’re partial to New Jersey’s sweet corn or Michigan’s, the grandparent you’re shopping for will have no trouble taking their corn off the cob with this nifty corn peeler.
For the grandparent who could win Jeopardy!
If your grandparent had a close (TV) relationship with Alex Trebek, they might appreciate this desk calendar. It includes more than 300 facts that’ll start conversations with the whole family.
For the grandparent who hosts family movie nights
It’s not a family movie night without popcorn. This popper makes it easy to whip up the snack from scratch, requiring no oil and just a few minutes in the microwave.
For the grandparent who holds their book at arm’s length
As a perpetual glasses wearer, Strategist newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang swears by this glasses cleaner that easily squeegees the smudges off lenses.
For the grandparent who’s writing a book
As the granddaughter of multiple grandparents who are either writing a book or already published a book, I know aspiring-author grandparents want all the inspiration they can get. My parents gave my grandfather this classic book about writing, and he’s been talking about it ever since.
For the grandparent who’s farmer’s market royalty
These reusable produce bags come in multiple sizes, so your gram or gramp can store everything from their carrots to their tomatoes to their onions without worrying about generating waste.
Under $50
For the grandparent who took you to your first baseball game
Whether they’re a regular at Little League games or a lifelong fan of the Yankees, a grandparent who’s a baseball fan will be able to keep track of every play with this simple yet beautiful baseball scorebook.
For the grandparent who’s a deli regular
These briney pickles are Paul Feig–approved. The Freaks and Geeks creator told us the pickles have “all that flavor, and a bit of gin essence in there, too, and perfectly crunchy with the right amount of snap.”
For the grandparent with a weekly art class
These colored pencils are a favorite among artists because they’re easy to blend, super-smooth, and notably saturated.
For the grandparent who goes by Nana or Pops
Wonderbly’s customizable picture books let you add up four grandkids as characters, personalize the title with your grandparent’s nickname, and write a dedication page. Both grandparents and grandchildren will get a kick out of it at their next story time.
For the grandparent with signature chocolate-chip cookies
With a transparent glass container and a handsome checked lid, this cookie jar is perfect for displaying all of their baked delicacies.
For the grandparent who wants to teach you how to crochet
For a fun bonding gift, buy two of these craft kits so your grandparent can teach a little one how to crochet side-by-side. It includes everything someone would need to master basic crochet skills along with easy-to-follow instructional videos.
For the grandparent who saunas
These aromatherapy shower steamers are made with stress-relieving eucalyptus essential oils. They also come in tea tree, rose, and lavender.
For the grandparent who’s the family photographer
If they’re always showing off their pride and joy — their grandkids — the grandparent you’re shopping for might appreciate this customizable photo-gallery calendar. Strategist writer Arielle Avilla has used Shutterfly to make calendars for her own grandparents and says it’s fast, easy, and affordable.
For the grandparent who still beats you at mini-golf
Turn any living room into a mini-golf course with this faux putting green that’s complete with three holes. Golfer John Rotunno writes, “By playing each hole twice, that became an 18-hole, par-54 course — which, while far from Augusta National, allowed my wife and I to play for hours together on a recent Saturday afternoon.”
For the grandparent who drinks wine like water
This Le Creuset wine-cooler sleeve is fit with two removable gel packs that can chill Grandma and Grandpa’s favorite Sauvignon blanc in just 30 minutes.
Under $100
For the grandparent who can’t reach that knot in their shoulders
Operating this shoulder massager is as easy as putting on a shawl. “The massaging knobs genuinely feel like hands, kneading aching muscles and working out sore spots,” former senior Strategist writer Karen Iorio Adelson says.
For the grandparent who’s a plant parent
AeroGarden’s unfussy Sprout is compact, comes apart for easy cleaning, and has options to grow herbs, cherry tomatoes, or salad greens.
For the grandparent who racks up stamps on their passport
When we interviewed 1,000 seniors about what they buy, almost everyone we spoke to on the subject of travel said they always carry a neck pillow. This is our favorite.
For the grandparent with a sophisticated sweet tooth
These gourmet chocolate truffles come in unexpected flavors — like mango lassi — that change by the season.
For the grandparent who’s serious about Sunday night dinner
For adding a bit of umph to their go-to pasta sauce (and snacking while stirring).
Under $200
For the grandparent who wants to start a pickleball league
This portable pickleball net features sturdy steel framing and waterproof netting for players getting serious about their backhand.
For the grandparent who never misses their morning stroll
As a passionate walker (not runner), these are my favorite shoes to stroll in. They’re supportive and low profile, and have paired perfectly with everything from leggings to jeans in the thousands (and thousands) of miles I’ve logged in them.
For the grandparent who mourned for Flaco
This solar-powered smart bird feeder — complete with a motion-sensor camera — livestreams their avian friends straight to their phones.
For the grandparent with a family-photo wall
This digital picture frame is simple to preload with photos, so all your gift recipient has to do is plug it in and connect it to Wi-Fi. As you take more photos, you can easily upload them from your phone, too.
For the grandparent who keeps the house at 76 degrees …
This cotton throw blanket is lightweight and breathable, making it “the perfect all-seasons blanket,” according to Wolfgang.
… And for the grandparent who keeps the house at 65 degrees
A staple for the Strategist’s sweaty sleepers, these cooling pajamas are some of the most refreshing pajamas our staff has tried. Their cooling power comes from breathable, moisture-wicking bamboo viscose that never makes sleep writer Amelia Jerden feel warm.
For the grandparent who’s vocal about coffee getting too complicated
This coffee maker has the dual appeal of being just as simple to use as their beloved Mr. Coffee and coming highly recommended by coffee snobs.
For the grandparent who loves a spa day
Miko’s Shiatsu foot massager is complete with five pressure settings, heat, and two wireless remotes that make adjusting their massage even more seamless. It’s a Strategist best seller for a reason.
For the grandparent who knows how to clean out an entire lobster
This kit includes all the makings for a perfect lobster roll: a pound of lobster meat and four New England–style split-top rolls, along with some artisan sea salt butter and other goodies.
Over $200
For the grandparent who’s read you the entire Harry Potter series
Kobo’s latest e-reader has a color display that’s ideal for the reader who can’t help but annotate their favorite lines. (It’s good for reading comics and graphic novels, too.)
For the grandparent who hits the gym twice a day
This Apple Watch monitors the wearer’s heart rate and steps per day, so they can keep track of their workouts without a second thought. Plus, the wearer can swap out the strap depending on their style preferences.
For the grandparent who’s in charge of Thanksgiving desserts
For hands-free baking with the grandkids.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
