Grandparents play a crucial role in our lives, which is why it's important to find gifts for them just as special as they are, whether you're shopping for Christmas or for the perfect gifts for new grandparents.
While gifts that cater to their interests and hobbies are always big hits, consider sentimental or practical gifts, too. Experiential gifts for Grandma and Grandpa have also risen in popularity, since new memories are gifts that keep on giving. We've even put a few of the products in this gift guide to the test: The Amazon Fire tablet and AeroGarden Harvest.
The 50 best Christmas gift ideas of 2023
The best gifts for sentimental grandparents speak to the heart or celebrate a special connection or memory. Younger kids often give grandparents handmade gifts, like cards or artwork. On the other hand, older kids and adults may give a more intricate handmade item as a thoughtful gift, such as paintings, photo collages or knitted scarves.
If you're not comfortable creating a gift, hire a professional to execute your vision. Many websites have independent online shops hosted by artisans and craftspeople who create personalized gifts for grandparents. This fleece throw is customizable with full-color photos.
Practical gifts might not sound glamorous, but a grandparent may use them more than any other gift. To some extent, finding the right one involves finding the solution to a common problem.
For example, the grandparent who likes reading in bed but props their books on pillows may appreciate a lap book stand.
Experiential gifts treat recipients to special trips, events or treatments. Some of the most popular options include salon gift certificates, cruises and theater or concert tickets. While you can't wrap these gifts like others, they create new, happy memories.
Subscriptions are fantastic gifts as they provide ongoing experiences for recipients. For instance, a gift card to WineAccess or another wine club lets recipients select international wines from the company's expertly curated selection.
It's common for family members from more than one generation to pool money together for grandparent gifts. It's an inclusive, budget-friendly approach to purchasing high-ticket options such as new appliances or trips. From a minimalist perspective, a group gift is one way to eliminate clutter, especially for grandparents who have recently downsized.
One of the drawbacks of group gifting, however, is coordination. Besides collecting money, someone needs to oversee purchasing the gift, ironing out delivery details and wrapping it.
Many people are partial to giving grandparents gifts individually because they can work within their budget and schedule to find the right one. It's considerably less complicated than coordinating a group gift, plus you'll control all aspects of the present, right down to wrapping paper.
While it's convenient for several reasons, some people feel individual gifting isn't ideal for every situation. For example, if you've already committed to participating in a group gift, it may be considered poor etiquette to give an extra gift on your own.
In the BestReviews Testing Lab, we evaluated the previous generation of this Amazon Fire tablet by streaming videos, reading emails and articles, as well as viewing photos; we found that the device performed well on all fronts. It connects to Alexa for voice commands, and the straightforward, easy-to-use operating system is great for seniors who aren't particularly tech-savvy. The new generation of this device is slimmer, more lightweight and loads websites and videos faster, with a larger front screen and longer battery life.
This rugged Samsonite luggage is a popular carry-on that is also suitable for overnight trips or long weekends. It has a high internal and external organization level, including a padded laptop compartment and an outer stash pocket.
An Audible membership unlocks a complete listening catalog featuring audiobooks, podcasts and originals. Subscribers can listen on any device with the Audible app.
This handmade family tree offers a creative glimpse at ancestry. It's carved into natural wood by an experienced artisan and displays up to six generations of family members.
Instead of keeping photos in a shoebox, place them in this premium photo album. Each page holds three horizontal and two vertical pictures. The pages are made with acid-free material to preserve photo quality.
Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Record Player
This portable Victrola record player is a genuinely nostalgic gift with its vintage details. The three-speed player delivers rich sound quality and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for easy music streaming.
Nixplay 10.1-Inch Digital Touchscreen Picture Frame
This Alexa-enabled digital photo frame lets you share or view images and videos instantly through the Nixplay app. The digital frame even lets users create playlists with their favorite photo montages.
iRobot Roomba 694 Robotic Vacuum
Take the hard work out of everyday cleaning with this efficient robotic vacuum, both voice and app-controlled. The Roomba has a three-stage cleaning system to lift dirt and debris from most floor types.
If you're looking for Christmas gifts for grandparents, consider this popular heated throw blanket. It'll help them relax or drift off into dreamland, keeping them cozy and warm in winter. The throw has five heat settings and a machine-washable cover.
Cool Stones Whiskey Stone Gift Set
This attractive whiskey stone gift set comes in a velour-lined wooden box that is nothing short of presentation-worthy. It includes a pair of glasses, coasters and eight stones.
Ideal for grandparents who live farther away, this charming art print features the silhouettes of two states joined by a heart. It's customizable with names and comes in the choice of four background colors.
AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Hydroponic Garden
A grandparent can cultivate a modest herb garden indoors with this hydroponic garden. It comes with a seed starter kit and grows up to six plants at a time. We tested this indoor herb garden by planting seeds and keeping tabs on the results for 60 days. We liked how the AeroGarden gave reminders to add water and plant food, and that the herbs grew faster compared to planting in soil.
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
