Key Takeaways

• We chose 20 fun and engaging gifts for grandmas, including options for nature enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and creatives.
• Gifts in this guide range from about $10–$200.
• Our team selected this list with engagement, creativity, curiosity, and usability in mind.

Whether you’re preparing for a holiday or birthday (or no occasion at all), you want to choose a gift for your grandma that she will cherish. The best gift for your grandmother are items or activities that fit her personality and spark joy every time she uses them. 

Our team carefully selected a list of gifts designed to teach something new, be fun, serve a daily purpose, and remind her how much she’s appreciated.

Best gifts for grandma in 2024

• Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame
• Gardener’s Tool Seat from Uncommon Goods
• Medical Guardian MGMini
• Tinggly Adventure Awaits Box
• Yeti Rambler 18-Ounce Water Bottle
• LEKI Lhasa Trekking Poles from Backcountry
• MasterClass Subscription
• Garrett Wade Italian Pasta Rolling Pins
• Stoic Chelsea Fleece Pullover from Backcountry 
• Litton Lane Small Green Ceramic Wide Planters from Home Depot

Shopping for someone you care about? Check out the best hearing aids and best medical alert systems on the market today.

Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame

Our take on the Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame 

We love Aura Digital Picture Frames because they’re an easy way to display multiple pictures in a limited space. They’re also customizable, so you can change the pictures anytime through the Aura application on your phone. 

We chose the Carver model because it has a simple landscape design for a fair price ($149) and comes in two colors: black (gravel) or white (sea salt). You can choose fancier styles, like the 15-inch matted Walden frame, for up to $299. And if you want to make it more personalized, you can choose the images before gifting.

Gardener’s Tool Seat from Uncommon Goods

Our take on the Gardener’s Tool Seat from Uncommon Goods 

If your grandma spends a lot of time in her garden, she might find a gardening seat useful. We like the Gardener’s Tool Seat because it has a removable storage tote for tools and folds up easily to move around the yard. 

Although it’s shorter than an average seat at about 17 inches, it’s a welcome trade-off for gardeners who need to reach down low. But if your grandma has trouble standing from chairs without pushing off the sitting surface, she may need a higher seat for safety.

Medical Guardian MGMini

Our take on the Medical Guardian MGMini

Medical alert systems can help people prevent falls and feel safe in their environment in case of emergency, but people often don’t find them appealing. We love the MGMini from Medical Guardian because it’s one of the smallest on-the-go medical alert systems on the market with unlimited range, so your grandmother can feel safe wherever she goes (as long as Wi-Fi, GPS, or AT&T connection is available). It also comes in four colors, including rose gold, pearl, silver, and black for a more stylish appearance.

Although this could be a great gift, it’s worth having a conversation with your grandma about her mobility needs and level of independence before you give it. Also, talk about how it would reassure you if she was open to using a medical alert device such as a pendant. Devices like these have monitoring features, like location tracking and caregiver alerts, which you might want to discuss. 

You and your grandma can read more in our Medical Guardian Review, which covers more types of systems and features we tested ourselves.

Tinggly Adventure Awaits Box

Our take on the Tinggly Adventure Awaits box

If your grandmother loves to try new things, the Tinggly Adventure Awaits box could get a good fit. Once your grandmother receives the voucher (via email or an eco-friendly gift box), she can choose one activity from a list of options of similar value. Some options are local, and some are international. If she chooses to go by herself, all costs are covered by the brand. But if she decides to split the experience with a friend or family member (depending on how many participants are allowed for the chosen activity), the value will be split between the participants.

Tinggly offers many gift boxes, but the Adventure Awaits box is the most budget-friendly at $69 and provides more than 12,500 activity choices. If you think she’d rather stay local, you can check for options in your grandmother’s area on the product’s page. You can also shop for other boxes, which range in cost from less than $100 to more than $500.

Yeti Rambler 36-Ounce Water Bottle

Our take on the Yeti Rambler 36-Ounce Water Bottle

Hydration is important, especially as we age. The Yeti Rambler 36-ounce Water Bottle could be a great tool for your grandma so she can meet the National Academy of Medicine’s recommended nine cups per day for adults age 51 and older (unless otherwise directed by a doctor). 

This water bottle comes in about 16 colors, depending on the season. We love that you can customize it with your own text and design. For example, you can label the bottle with her name or initials. This will cost about $6 extra per side (front or back). We also like how it comes with a handle, so it’s easier to carry it and twist off the top for refills compared to flat-top tumblers.

LEKI Lhasa Trekking Poles from Backcountry

Our take on the LEKI Lhasa Trekking Pole

If your grandmother frequents the local park or walks nearby trails (preferably with a partner for safety), she may appreciate added security and steadiness on uneven ground. We like the LEKI Lhasa Trekking Pole because it’s made with lightweight, durable aluminum and contoured grips, making it easy and comfortable to use. It’s also adjustable to fit many people—or if they’re really into hiking—to trek uphill or downhill at a more comfortable handle height for the terrain.

While trekking poles can be helpful, they are not replacements for walkers or canes. This gift is best for a grandmother who feels confident walking without assistance but could use extra support walking or hiking on uneven terrain.

MasterClass Subscription

Our take on the MasterClass Subscription

No matter your age or skill level, you can always learn something new. We love MasterClass because it offers expert-led lessons designed to teach new skills and introduce you to new hobbies. Plus, you can complete the lessons on your own time.

Categories include music, health and wellness, outdoor adventures, science and technology, writing, and cooking. 

To start, choose a monthly plan (billed annually). The basic plan starts at $120 per year and provides access to all the classes, but upgrading to the Plus ($180) or Premium ($240) plans allows you to download the videos or view them across multiple devices.

Garrett Wade Italian Pasta Rolling Pins

Our take on the Garrett Wade Italian Pasta Rolling Pins

Grandmothers who love to cook may appreciate an easy way to make batches of pasta. We love the Garrett Wade Italian Pasta Rolling Pins because the set includes four beechwood pins for less than $40 (plus shipping), which is a good value. 

Since these pins make longer pasta, like spaghetti, you can pair this gift with the Foldable Pasta Drying Rack for about $20 more. This allows the pasta strands to dry without tangling up, giving the final product a better texture.

Stoic Chelsea Fleece Pullover from Backcountry

Our take on the Stoic Chelsea Fleece Pullover from Backcountry

Fleece jackets are warm, cozy, and great for mild fall, spring and winter weather. We like this jacket because of its appealing color choices and fun design, including its two front pockets and half snap-button closure. As of the writing of this review, you can choose between a flower pattern, pink, white, and dark green (plus yellow and orange on sale). 

But if your grandma needs an easier closure, like a full zip-up design, consider the $100 North Face Osito Jacket from Backcountry instead.

Litton Lane Small Green Ceramic Wide Planters from Home Depot

Our take on the Litton Lane Small Green Ceramic Wide Planters 

The Litton Lane Green Ceramic Planters come in a set of three and have a handmade, earthy look. Each planter is a different size and fits small plants to display indoors or outdoors. We like this set because it’s a good value at $45, considering the sturdy ceramic material. Plus, your grandma will appreciate how they have drainage holes to protect the plant’s roots from rotting. Smaller decorative pots often don’t have them. 

LEGO Tiny Plants

Our take on the LEGO Tiny Plants

LEGO offers multiple building sets ranging from easy to advanced. If your grandmother likes puzzles, and you want to give her a creative challenge, you may want to consider the Tiny Plant set. Unlike other LEGO sets, this project has nine separate plants to build and instructions for each one. Some are easier than others, so she can ease her way into the challenge. Although this set has more than 700 total pieces, they’re divided by each plant. This is more manageable for beginners than larger sets that create one big item.

We understand some people might need fewer or larger pieces due to dexterity issues. LEGO offers other stylish builds for beginners, like the Sunflower or Chrysanthemum projects.

June & December Field Flower Press

Our take on the June & December Field Flower Press

The June & December Field Flower Press is different from other flower presses because it’s lightweight and uses heavy bands to apply pressure. The bands might be tricky to wrap around the press since they’re designed to be tight, but other presses use nuts and bolts to apply pressure, making them bulkier and less portable. This flower press is the better choice if you can see your grandma taking it along as she walks, hikes, or travels. 

Pomegranate William Morris Coloring Book

Our take on the Pomegranate William Morris Coloring Book 

If your grandmother is artsy, she might like an “adult” coloring book. But not all coloring books are made equally. Pomegranate makes our list because it offers high-quality one-sided pages, so she can cut out her favorite ones and frame them in her home. 

We like the William Morris Coloring Book because of its beautiful botanical prints inspired by their wallpaper designs. And if you want to bundle the book with another item, you can choose the William Morris bundle, which includes playing cards, notecards, and a puzzle for less than $60.

William Morris’ artwork has fine details, but some people may want larger coloring blocks to enjoy the activity. If your grandmother has trouble with fine movements in her fingers and hands, she may enjoy coloring books inspired by Charley Harper or William H. Johnson instead.

Big Life Journal

Our take on the Big Life Journal 

The Big Life Journal is a 160-page book with prompts that challenge readers to change their mindset. It’s filled with motivational quotes and writing spaces to reflect. We love this journal because it has five chapters (Possibility, Growth, Gratitude, Self-Compassion, and Freedom), each designed to make you think differently about your self-beliefs, relationships, and motivations. We think this is a great gift for people who enjoy self-help books or love to write.

Ettika Pearl Lovers Eyeglass Chain

Our take on the Ettika Pearl Lovers Eyeglass Chain 

The Ettika Pearl Lovers Eyeglass Chain is an 18-karat gold accessory that attaches to each leg of your glasses. The gold chain is meant to sit behind your neck, so if you take a break from using your glasses, they can hang like a necklace. Consider this gift if your grandmother uses reading glasses or takes sunglasses when she leaves the house.

The Tea Smith Subscription

Our take on The Tea Smith 

You’ve heard of wine clubs, but have you heard of tea clubs? The Tea Smith is a club offering loose-leaf tea on a subscription basis. Sign your grandmother up for a three-, six-, or 12-month subscription, and she will receive two 2-ounce bags of loose-leaf tea every month. Every delivery includes different teas, so she will get to try new varieties. 

We like how The Tea Smith provides a wide range of options. You can choose a World of Tea subscription, which includes teas from unique locations, or a subscription offering caffeine-free options only. But all teas are loose-leaf, so your grandmother will need a tea strainer to enjoy them.

Forest Decor Personalized Cheese Board Set with Tray

Our take on the Forest Decor Personalized Cheese Board Set 

Cheese boards can be a great gift for a hostess because you can display your cheeses and meats in a decorative way. When you pick one from Forest Decor, you get to personalize it with her name or initials, making it a meaningful yet useful gift.

If you choose the Cheese Board Set, you can pick up to 26 designs for the middle space to make it personalized for your grandmother. You can also submit a custom design. While Forest Decor specializes in engraved boards, this set stood out from the rest because it offers a separate tray, utensils, and labels for added functionality.

Personalized Family Mugs from Uncommon Goods

Our take on the Personalized Family Mugs from Uncommon Goods 

If you like the idea of a custom item, a Personalized Family Mug might be a good option. As you order the mugs, you get to design a cartoon depicting each family member (or a group of friends) from a selection of heights, hair and skin colors, and clothing. We love the wide range of options, like adding glasses or depicting the person in a wheelchair. It’s detailed, personal, and fun.

Book of the Month Subscription

Our take on a Book of the Month subscription 

When you gift a Book of the Month subscription, your grandmother will receive a card, package, or email to set up her account and redeem her gift. Every month, she’ll receive five to seven book choices (or audiobooks) based on her reading preferences. From there, she chooses the one book she’s excited to read. If she doesn’t like it, she can swap it for another choice. This gift is a good way to keep her book selection fresh, exciting, and to her liking.

Happy Gardens She Shed Birdhouse

Our take on the Happy Gardens She Shed Birdhouse 

If your grandmother loves nature or animals, she may enjoy a birdhouse. But unlike other birdhouses we’ve seen, this one is painted bright colors with fun details, like gardening tools and a bench. Your grandmother will appreciate its happy design, which is meant to house her birds comfortably without toxic materials. 

Ventilation points allow airflow, and drainage holes prevent waterlogging. It also has a large access point, making cleaning the house once or twice a year easy. Although we love the She Shed design, you may also want to consider other options, like the White Veranda or Stone Cottage houses.

How to choose a gift for grandma

If you enjoyed our list but didn’t find the right option, consider using these three points to brainstorm similar gifts.

Pricing 

Gifts in our list start around $10 and can range up to $200 or more for subscription-based items. 

If you’re shopping on a budget, less expensive items can include art supplies or smaller everyday items. A small momento, like a hand-written card and printed pictures recapping your favorite memories, doesn’t cost much and can mean a lot. If you’re interested in a larger or more customized gift, you might consider splitting the cost with other family members. 

Engagement

Practical, engaging gifts can spark joy every time your grandma uses them. Some usable gifts also encourage creativity and may introduce a new hobby. These are the “gifts that keep on giving,” always reminding your grandma of the day she received them.

Personality

The gift should match your grandmother’s personality and ability. Someone who hates tea shouldn’t get a tea subscription, but someone who loves gardening may need new planters.

Think back to times you’ve spoken to your grandmother or visited her house—what does she display? What does she use most? What has she expressed interest in? Does she have the ability to engage with the item or activity you’re gifting? What would you enjoy doing together?

Bottom line 

The best gifts for your grandmother are personal, engaging, and spark joy with frequent use. Our list was carefully crafted to include unique ideas your grandmother may enjoy often. Always consider her personality and ability level before purchasing to make sure it’s appropriate and specific to her. We hope our list helped you find the right option or inspired you to find something similar.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I spend on a gift for my grandmother?

The amount you should spend is up to you and what you’re able to give. But you don’t have to spend hundreds for a unique and memorable gift. Consider framing a picture from your favorite memory with her, splitting a larger gift among the family, or getting a small gift specific to her interests. Our list includes options starting at $10, so it might be a good place to start.

What types of gifts do grandmothers like the most?

Grandmothers will always appreciate a gift from the family, but they often enjoy useful and personal gifts. It’s best to consider your grandmother’s personality as you search for the best gift, including her hobbies, interests, and decor preferences.

What is a thoughtful gift for my grandmother?

Thoughtful gifts from our carefully selected list include the Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame, Personalized Family Mugs, and the Forest Decor Personalized Cheese Board Set.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.