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Finding the right gift for a grandparent can be as tricky as shopping for anyone else on your list. After speaking to dozens of folks for our senior survey and other gift guides for grandmothers and grandfathers, I’ve learned that even if they insist the best gift is more time spent together, a thoughtful present is still a meaningful way to show you care.
To help you find the right gift for your grandparent (be it a ma, 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 gourmand, the gardener, and even the grandparent as obsessed with their pets as they are with their grandkids. And if you have a specific budget in mind, you can skip ahead to your ideal price point by clicking the table of contents above.
Under $25
For the grandparent who does the crossword in pen
Former New York book critic Molly Young told us that she loves this book of extra-challenging Saturday crossword puzzles from the New York Times, and promises that any “badass solver” would love it, too.
For the grandparent with a sweet tooth
For some elevated candy, look no further than this assortment of marzipan fruits, which we found while doing our investigation into the old-time-y treat that’s having a bit of a renaissance. It will delight the receiving grandparent whether they start nibbling straight away or leave it out as decoration.
For the grandparent who prefers savory treats
A favorite of Laila Gohar, a food artist and the founder of Gohar World, these traditional Basque peppers add a nice bite to any dish and make a pretty good snack. “I just like to nibble on them plain,” says Gohar.
For the grandparent who loves to draw a bath
Elevate their soak with this bath oil recommended to us by Lou Diamond Phillips, who says it’s relaxing after a long day of directing. It’s made by a priest who’s also a holistic doctor and will turn the bath into a spa-like oasis.
For the grandparent who still writes you letters
A sweet, sentimental gift for grandparents with younger grandchildren is this “paper time capsule.” It comes with back-and-forth prompts that grandparents and grandchildren can fill out now and look back on in the years to come.
For the grandparent with a fridge covered in their grandkids’ art
Help organize and display all their finger-painted artworks with this picture frame that can store up to 50 pieces. Judy Hall, a grandmother and co-founder of Grand Connections, an organization that encourages quality time between grandparents and grandchildren through DIY experience packs and workshops, owns one herself and likes that it’s a good size and comes with matting.
For the grandparent whose strict observance of cocktail hour includes bar snacks
These nifty snack bowls, perfect for pistachios, come with an attached piece to hide shells — allowing your grandparent to go town without a trail of evidence staring back at them.
For the grandparent who’s a cat parent
Any cat appreciates a warm napping spot, but it’s especially important for older cats that have trouble staying warm in the winter. This cozy mat is made with an insulated layer that keeps cats warm using their own body heat. It doesn’t use electricity, so grandparents won’t have to worry about letting their cat sleep on it unattended.
For the grandparent who’s a dog parent
If they have a very active puppy, this plush puzzle tree is the perfect solution. Mia Leimkuhler, the Strategist’s senior manager of audience development, owns one and says it keeps her dog Reggie occupied for hours.
For the grandparent who kicked their coffee habit
For a cozy drink alternative to coffee, look no further than Golde’s turmeric-latte blend. Former Strategist intern Aisha Rickford says it soothed her stomach and “it just tastes good — super-pleasant, calming, and very fall in New England, with slightly spicy hits of ginger and coconut and, of course, turmeric.”
Under $50
For the grandparent who religiously brews Lipton
MochaBox Coffee co-owners Harlin Thomas and Floyd Sartin told us this “affordable, easy to use” cold-brew maker makes iced tea in a pinch. Plus it’s stylish enough to leave out on the counter if tea’s a part of their daily routine.
For the grandparent who swaps cookie recipes with you
This sheet pan from Strategist favorite Great Jones is the perfect combination of functional and giftable, thanks to its unique, Kindercore-esque design.
For the grandparent who swaps every recipe with you
If they spend all their time in the kitchen, this nifty (and affordable) organizer serves as a “safe place to store knives without damaging their sharp edges,” according to lifestyle expert Tenille Murphy. Because it’s designed to fit inside a drawer, the tray helps to keep countertops clutter free.
For the grandparent who has an iPhone, but prefers their landline
You can’t use it to take photos or get directions, but there’s something special about dialing up a friend on a corded landline phone. With their retro designs, they’re a lot more interesting-looking than your standard smartphone, and the littlest grandkids will probably get a kick out of seeing one. This red one is especially cheery.
For the grandparent who’s a chess master
If your grandparent is more of a traditionalist and enjoys board games, Welcome to … Your Perfect Home is an expert-approved strategy game that has players take on the role of architects attempting to build the perfect town in 1950s America, which we think grandparents might enjoy.
Under $100
For the grandparent who loves New York
If they love coming to visit you in the Big Apple, or just its bright lights in general, one way to give them their fix until they can visit again would be to send some genuine New York bagels from Upper West Side institution Zabar’s.
For the grandparent with a green thumb
A practical gift for the grandparent who loves to garden is a nice set of pruners. This Swiss-manufactured one happens to be our overall favorite, because it’s durable and versatile. According to Kurt Morrell, VP of landscape operations at the New York Botanical Garden, “A good gardener or horticulturalist anywhere in the world is most likely going to have a pair of Felcos.”
For the grandparent without a green thumb
A non-fussy way into gardening is AeroGarden’s Sprout, which can grow three plants at a time. It’s compact, comes apart for easy cleaning, and has options to grow herbs, cherry tomatoes, or salad greens.
For the grandparent who could use a shoulder massage
Operating this shoulder massager is as easy as putting on a shawl, according to Strategist senior writer Karen Adelson, who calls it the best thing she bought in 2021. The apparatus sits on top of the shoulders, and you loop your arms through the straps to keep it in place and control pressure. Adelson says the “massaging knobs genuinely feel like hands, kneading aching muscles and working out sore spots.”
For the grandparent who starts every day with a stroll
Should your grandparent be looking for comfy shoes they can wear inside and out, these women’s clogs from Merrell came recommended to us by fashion designer Sandy Liang, who says they’re “the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.” Between their warm lining, slip-on style, and snug (but not too snug) fit, they’ll be perfect for grandma’s daily meander. For grandpa, Merrell’s Jungle Mocs are more or less the men’s equivalent (and come praised by podiatrists as one of the best orthopedic shoes you can get).
For the grandparent who always asks to ‘turn on Netflix’ when they visit
Give them your log-in along with this Roku streaming stick we’ve been recommending for years, which they can use to turn pretty much any TV into a “smart” one that can stream Netflix — as well as Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime and much, much more.
For the grandparent who believes sofa pristineness is next to godliness
While covering the sofa with plastic might sound like something a sitcom granny would do, a real-life grandparent would probably appreciate a couch-protecting throw (especially if they have pets). You don’t have to worry about ruining Pop Pop’s living-room aesthetic because these waterproof and machine-washable throws “match furniture very well,” according to Nicole Ellis, a pet lifestyle expert.
For the grandparent who likes to stretch
This efficient foam roller collapses down flat for easy storage, or packing, if they’re the type to fit a good stretch in while traveling (whenever they might travel again). It’s a favorite of Vanessa Chu, the co-founder of Stretch*d, as well as celebrity personal trainer Gunnar Peterson.
Under $200
For the grandparent who devours every mystery novel
In our Senior Survey, participants were passionate about the Kindle’s adjustable text size and no-glare screen, compared to Apple’s tablet options. Of all the Kindle models out there, we recommend going with the Paperwhite. Our tech writer Jordan McMahon, who’s tried every Kindle since 2013, says it’s the best of the bunch. The larger screen “makes reading text easier, and it’s still small enough to toss in a tote or backpack,” he says.
For the grandparent who has a photo of you as their phone background
This digital picture frame is a favorite of Donne Davis, founder of the GaGa Sisterhood — a community for grandmothers who go “gaga” for their grandchildren — and grandmother to three. It’ll let grandparents see a rotating selection of family photos that multiple people can upload through its cloud storage.
For the grandparent whose Mr. Coffee is on its last legs
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 wears the same pleated khakis day in and day out
If you’d describe Grandma’s style as “very groovy,” then she’ll love these high-waisted harem pants Vulture writer Devon Ivie wears when she “pretends [her] apartment is CBGB and dances around to Talking Heads ’77.” The velour fabric and sophisticated silhouette elevate them from sloppy sweatpants to elegant loungewear. And these Lululemon men’s pants are a favorite of former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw. They “look like suit trousers, but feel far more comfortable,” he says.
For the grandparent with achy feet
This Shiatsu foot massager that’s endorsed by a professional massage therapist is a perennial Strategist bestseller. According to that therapist, it “hits all the meridian trigger points” and soothes the entire body.
For the grandparent with chilly feet
When we recently asked cool people about their favorite slippers, Vogue market editor Naomi Elizée told us she owns four pairs of UGG’s shearling-lined Cozette slides for padding around the house, making them a warm and surprisingly stylish option. If you’re looking for a pair for grandpa, these UGG Olsen moccasins are praised by reviewers, one of whom says that “every step is like a plush carpet underneath your feet.”
For the grandparent with a signature scent
If grandma or grandpa love to spritz themselves in Estée Lauder or Old Spice fragrances after getting dressed, they might appreciate an essential-oil diffuser that can make their home smell equally distinct. Interior designer Mecca James-Williams told us she likes this one, which offers “a more natural home scent than candles.” While it doesn’t come with the oils, the brand sells a vast range — from cedarwood to grapefruit to lavender — that can all be swapped in and out. (You’d be a very good grandkid if you include one with your gift.)
Over $200
For the grandparent on a smoothie kick
Though they would never complain about their ten-year-old blender, health-oriented grandparents will be over the moon for this Vitamix. Whether they use it to make soup, ice cream, or other recipes, this self-cleaning Vitamix will become their new favorite appliance. Gaby Dalkin, cookbook author and blogger at What’s Gaby Cooking, likes that it has a designated smoothie setting “so you can throw all your ingredients in, turn it on, and walk away.”
For the grandparent who could use a little help around the house
To lighten their load, treat your grandparent to our favorite overall robot vacuum cleaner. It uses smart mapping that allows it to tackle large spaces in a series of smaller zones, and can take itself back to the charging station when it’s low on battery, recharge, then resume where it left off.
For the grandparent who’s more serious about their workouts
Social-media strategist Hannah Gardner told us her grandmother specifically wants an Apple Watch, because it tracks the wearer’s heart rate and steps per day — in addition to keeping track of birthdays, emails, and incoming calls.
For the grandparent who loves to raise a glass
Your grandparent will love to know that these Baccarat glasses were recommended to us by none other than Suzanne Somers, who told us “they’re the only glasses I use for my tequila.” Yes, they’re a splurge, but consider it an investment in camaraderie (because they’ll no doubt think of you every time they sip from one). Should you want to shop around, we’ve got more drinking glasses at a range of prices here.
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.
