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As hard as it is to find gifts for our teens, finding unique gift ideas for grandparents is even more challenging. Many have begun the process of downsizing and don’t need or want more “stuff.” However, we still search for original gift ideas for cherished family members each holiday season. Besides, playing Santa is fun, especially if you can surprise your parents with a particularly thoughtful present.
Take note of these ideas as you’re making a list for Grandpa and Grammy, Nana, Papa, or whatever sweet names the grandkids have bestowed upon them.
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Christmas gifts for Grandma and Grampa
1. Electric Kettle
An electric kettle is a wonderful gift, especially if your parents like to make a cup of tea, as there are temperature settings for different beverages — 160 degrees for delicate teas, 175 degrees for green tea, 185 degrees for white tea, or 190 degrees for oolong tea. There are also settings for coffee, cocoa, or heat, and eating noodles or oatmeal. Safety features include auto-shutoff and stay-cool handle.
This kettle gets the top reviews and is the one I use daily!
2. Ancestry DNA Genetic Testing Kit
3. Air Purifier
The Coway Air Purifier gets RAVE reviews by the New York Times, which has spent years testing multiple models. This one captures and reduces up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in the air, including pollen, pollutants, and other allergens. It also reduces odors, which can be especially helpful if they have pets.
4. YETI Wine Tumblers
If your parents enjoy drinking wine, YETI tumblers will keep their favorite beverage chilled for 24 hours.
5. Mini Air Purifier
Levoit is a top brand, and they now make a mini version of the air purifier, which is easier to set up in a smaller space than a full-sized model. Plus, add a few drops of essential oils to the aroma pad to release a pleasing fragrance.
6. New Bed Pillows
Do the bed pillows at your parent’s home date back to when you were a child? Time to replace them! This pillow is the best overall, according to Good Housekeeping, and has 46,000 reviews on Amazon. It has a unique adjustable feature and extra filling for those who prefer a plumper pillow.
7. Sunrise Alarm Clock
As we age, getting a good night’s sleep can be even harder. This very well-priced alarm clock allows the user to wake up with gradually more and more light, resulting in a gentle and natural start to the day. This one also functions as a clock radio with FM stations and has multiple lighting options.
8. Minted Photo Gifts
Online site, Minted has gorgeous photo gifts that can be customized with family images that celebrate the special bond grandparents have with their grandchildren.
9. Opal Nugget Ice Maker- GE Profile
10. Bose “Sleepbuds”
For anyone who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to a partner who snores, other household noises, or racing thoughts at night, give the gift of a good night’s sleep. These ingenious “Sleepbuds” by audio powerhouse Bose might be THE best gift you could give your parents this holiday season. They play only original content from the Bose Sleep app, and the wearer controls the volume and can download other features like a personal alarm.
11. Custom Calendar
One of our tech-savvy young adults collects photos from the family beginning in October and arranges them into a custom calendar for the upcoming year. She adds dates for each family member’s birthday, anniversaries, and other significant events. Every month has new images — this gift that grandparents will enjoy all year.
12. Blue Apron
After decades of cooking, a subscription to a meal kit might be just the thing a grandparent would enjoy to add some variety to dinner prep. Blue Apron includes easy-to-follow recipes and all the ingredients needed, including small quantities of pre-measured spices. Choose options that include cooking for two, vegetarian, and wellness, in partnership with WeightWatchers.
Here’s where you can learn more about the gift card option.
13. Hydro Flask Water Bottle
We love Hydro Flask water bottles and think they are among the best gifts, especially for anyone trying to stay hydrated during the day. Water stays cold all day or drinks will stay hot for 12 hours if used for coffee or tea.
14. Echo Dot (4th Gen)
15. Kipling Bag
For anyone who travels, Kipling Bags are a favorite brand. They are durable, lightweight, and come in many different styles, colors, and price points. These are also practical options for everyday use.
16. Ravensburger Jigsaw Puzzle
Ravensburger puzzles are among the best ones made. There are seemingly endless designs and themes, but take a look at the number of pieces before you decide on a puzzle for your parents — 300, 500, and 1000 pieces are some of the options available.
17. Bluetooth Headphones
18. iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum
19. Aura Digital Frame
The coolest thing is that this frame has a unique email address; when you email it pics, they automatically upload to the frame. (Requires WIFI.) Photos that ordinarily just live on our phones become the source of digital entertainment your parents will enjoy watching as the Aura cycles through images every few seconds.
20. Fitbit Charge 5
We want our parents to remain active, and having a fitness tracker might provide the motivation they need as they begin to notice and measure how active they are during the day. This one gets the top reviews and monitors up to 20 activities, tracks sleep (including naps), has a heart rate monitor, and is relatively easy to use.
21. Paint by Sticker
Have you seen the “paint by sticker” craft books? They were originally conceived as art projects for kids, but there are amazing books for adults, too, including the ones by publishing powerhouse Workman. If your parents are dog lovers, they might enjoy this one.
22. Bird Feeder
Watching the birds come and go outside a window provides entertainment and a view of the natural world. The National Geographic Guide Field Guide to the Birds of North American is a great companion gift to the bird feeder, the #1 top seller on Amazon.
23. Emergency Kit
Suppose the last two years have taught us anything. In that case, it is to be prepared for a natural disaster or shelter-in-place alert with enough food, water, and safety supplies to support ourselves and our families until it is safe to leave home. This waterproof bag comes with all your parents would need for 72 hours of self-sufficiency with tools, warmth, safety, first-aid, food, and water.
24.MasterClass
Are your parents’ active learners? They might love an annual gift membership to Masterclass, where they can take virtual classes from some of the most accomplished writers, chefs, actors, leaders, and more virtually.
25. Allbirds Shoes
We cannot say enough wonderful things about these shoes, which we have bought for every member of our family — both men and women, young and older. There are tie-ups, slip-on, running shoes, and more, all of which are incredibly comfortable. Do yourself a favor and buy a pair for YOU while shopping for your parents. And for an extra treat, include a pair of Allbirds socks….they are simply amazing in softness and durability.
26. Under Bed Lights
These light up when they sense movement so that your mom or dad can have their steps illuminated if they get out of bed at night.
27. Godiva Chocolates
We have always loved Godiva candy and think their advent calendar filled with delicious candy is a yummy Christmas gift. Shop early for this one.
28. Bark Box
Do your parents have a dog that dominates their lives? Give them a fun way to interact with their favorite pup with a subscription to Bark Box — every box is filled with treats and toys that will be delivered to their house on a schedule you choose.
Now orders come with a puppy advent calendar with 25 days of treats, FREE (while supplies last)!
29. Experiences
Would they like hands-on experience with a friend, a partner, or a grandchild? Now you can give them a gift of an Uncommon Experience from Uncommon Goods. Here is a sample of some of the classes begin offered. Supplies shipped in time for the experience making it an active but virtual learning experience.
30. Storyworth
Your parents have stories to tell, which will help them record them as keepsakes for you and their grandchildren. It’s an interactive system that asks the recipient to tell a story each week, all of which goes into a book once enough stories are collected.
31. Paint Project
This is one of a series of watercolor project books that are wildly popular. Dana Fox, the creator, provides light outlines of each design. This is an option for any artist-to-be, even if they’ve never picked up a paintbrush.
32. Donation in their honor
Donate to the non-profit of their choice, and they will receive a note of thanks acknowledging the gift. It’s a win-win.
33. Audible Subscription
Reading can get challenging for some adults as they age, but a subscription to Audible allows them to listen to books read aloud, often by the author.
Pair this with the Amazon Echo; your parents will have an endless supply of good books to listen to.
34. Vuori Clothing
We LOVE this brand for athletic and casual wear. The fabric is incredibly soft, and every family member has enjoyed each pair of pants or top they have worn.
35. 2023 Planner
Erin Condren makes amazing planners, and they are the most popular brand among the Grown and Flown community. Help them keep track of appointments, Zoom calls, doctor visits, Pickle Ball games, and family dinners with the grandkids with one of these beautiful and very functional planners. Available in many styles and colors with a long list of optional add-ons.
36. Amazon Prime membership
Pay for their yearly Prime membership and allow them to order from Amazon and enjoy two-day FREE shipping all year round. Plus, your parents can enjoy streaming thousands of TV shows and movies and unlimited, ad-free access to over a million songs and hundreds of playlists.
37. Bills Paid
As people age and are likely on a fixed income, some may become overwhelmed with fear of running out of money and skimp on things they enjoy. Pay a bill for your parents or buy them a yearly Netflix subscription. Other gift ideas include paying for a cleaning service or home repair or gift cards for gas or their favorite grocery store, lawn service, car detailing hairdresser, or a restaurant.
38. Companionship
Stuff is great, but the most popular suggestion among our Grown and Flown Parents Facebook Group, by far, was to give grandparents the gift of your time and your presence. However, they prefer to celebrate during the holidays, make sure you and your teens join them for what’s more meaningful to them.
More Gift Lists:
Stocking Stuffers for Teens and College Students
Gift Ideas from Uncommon Goods
