Last checked 14 November 2026. Offers and prices change, so check details before you buy.
The short answer
The best Christmas gifts for grandparents are the ones that bring you closer: framed family photos, a memory book, a day out together, or a simple way to see and hear the family every day. Choose things that ask nothing to be learned, and skip clutter.
Christmas offer: Bondnow, the app that turns a tablet into a screen the whole family can reach, is 20% off with code XMAS20 until 2 January 2027. See how to give it.
Grandparents are famously hard to buy for. Many say they have everything they need, and a lot of them would rather have your time than another box. This guide gives you ten ideas that suit most grandparents, who each one suits, and what to avoid.
What makes a good gift for grandparents?
Whatever you choose, check it against four questions:
- Will it be used, or will it sit in a drawer? Everyday, familiar things beat novelty.
- Does it need learning? If it needs a manual, a password or a long set-up, it needs to come with you in person.
- Does it say “I am thinking of you”? Personal beats expensive.
- Is it easy to live with? Think about clutter, storage, large print and weight.
10 Christmas gift ideas for grandparents
1. A framed family photo or photo book
A recent photo of the grandchildren, or an old one of the grandparents on their wedding day, is hard to beat. A printed photo book of the year works well for anyone who likes to flick through memories.
Best for:
Almost every grandparent.
2. A memory or family story book
A book with prompts that they fill in about their childhood, first job and favourite recipes becomes a keepsake for the whole family. Sit with them while they write it and the time together is part of the gift. A guided “give and get back” book, such as Grandma, Tell Me from The National Archives shop, does the asking for you.
Best for:
Grandparents who love to tell stories.
3. A family recipe collection
Collect their best-loved recipes, add photos, and print a small book for each household.
Best for:
Grandparents who cook, and families who miss the taste of their home.
4. Time together
Afternoon tea, a visit to a garden, a trip to a favourite place, or simply a promise of a regular weekly call or visit. Write it on a card so there is something to open. A National Trust gift membership is a popular way to turn the promise into days out all year.
Best for:
Grandparents who say they want nothing.
5. Cosy comforts
A soft throw, warm slippers, a hot water bottle cover, or a heated blanket from a reputable brand. Winter is long, and these get used daily. If you are thinking of a heated throw, read Which? on the best heated throws first, and follow the maker’s instructions on use and storage.
Best for:
Grandparents who feel the cold.
6. Hobby gifts
Seeds and tools for the garden, a large jigsaw, knitting wool, a crossword book or a new set of paints. Match it to something they already enjoy rather than something you think they should try.
Best for:
Grandparents with a favourite pastime.
7. Large-print books or audiobooks
Large-print editions, or an audiobook on a simple player, keep reading enjoyable if eyesight is not what it was.
Best for:
Grandparents who love to read.
8. A food hamper or their favourite treats
A hamper of things they like, or a treat that arrives each month, is consumable, so it never adds clutter. Check for any dietary needs first. Fortnum & Mason hampers are the classic treat, and Stylist’s round-up of the best Christmas hampers covers a range of budgets.
Best for:
Grandparents who like to host or snack.
9. A digital photo frame
A frame that shows a slideshow of family photos is a lovely idea. Many need the family to set up Wi-Fi and an account, so check how photos get on to it and who will look after it. TechRadar’s guide to the best digital photo frames compares the popular options, including Aura and Nixplay, which let family send photos from their own phones.
Best for:
Grandparents with someone nearby to help.
10. A way to see the family every day
For grandparents who live far from the people they love, the most valued gift can be daily connection. Bondnow is an app that turns a tablet they already own into a screen your whole family can reach:
- Calls that answer themselves. You call from your phone, their tablet says your name out loud and connects on its own. They press nothing and say nothing.
- Photos and videos all day. Anyone in the family can share, and it appears on their screen within seconds.
- Their radio, on time, and spoken reminders that you set from your phone.
- One circle, any address. Cousins, grandchildren and carers join from their own phones with one subscription.
It costs £9.90 a month or £99 a year, with the first month free and no card needed. See how Bondnow works.
Best for:
Grandparents who live apart from the family, or who find phones and tablets hard.
Christmas offer: 20% off
If you start a Bondnow subscription this Christmas, use code XMAS20 at checkout. The first month is still free, so you can see it work before you pay anything.
- Monthly plan: 20% off your first 3 paid months, then £9.90 a month.
- Yearly plan: 20% off your first year (£79.20 instead of £99), then £99 a year when it renews.
- The offer ends on 2 January 2027. One code per customer.
See the pricing page for the latest details.
How to give Bondnow at Christmas
- Before you visit, download Bondnow on your phone and create your account. Their sign-in is created for you.
- On Christmas Day or Boxing Day, install it on their tablet and sign in. It takes about a minute.
- Invite the family from your phone, so everyone can call and share photos from day one.
- Make the first call before you leave, so they see it work.
An honest note on iPads: Apple limits what an app can do on its own, so on an iPad a call may need one tap to answer. On an Android tablet it answers hands-free. If they have no tablet, any reasonably recent Android tablet will do.
What to avoid giving grandparents
- Gadgets that need a long set-up and nobody nearby to help.
- Anything that creates clutter, or needs a lot of storage.
- Gifts that quietly say “you are getting old”, such as obvious mobility aids, unless they asked for one.
- Anything with a sign-up they cannot manage alone, such as new accounts, passwords or app stores.
Please read this. Bondnow is not an emergency service or a medical alert system. It does not call 999, is not monitored, and does not detect falls. If your grandparent has a pendant alarm or telecare, keep it exactly where it is.
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy grandparents who have everything?
Choose something personal or consumable: a photo book, a family recipe collection, a food hamper, or time together. Gifts that bring family closer are rarely unwanted.
What is a good Christmas gift for a grandparent who lives far away?
Something that closes the distance: framed photos, a memory book you fill in together on a call, or an app such as Bondnow that lets the whole family call and share photos with them every day.
What is the best tech gift for grandparents?
The best tech asks nothing of them. Look for things that work without logins, menus or speaking commands, and that you can set up for them from your own phone.
What is the Bondnow Christmas offer?
Use code XMAS20 at checkout for 20% off your first 3 paid months on the monthly plan, or 20% off your first year on the yearly plan. The offer ends on 2 January 2027. The first month of Bondnow is free and no card is needed to start.
What does Bondnow cost?
£9.90 a month or £99 a year, with the first month free. There is no set-up fee and no device to buy if they already have a tablet.
Does Bondnow work on an iPad?
Yes, with a limit. On an iPad a call may need one tap to answer, and a spoken reminder may not play if the screen is locked. On an Android tablet both work without anyone touching it.
Is Bondnow an alarm or a medical device?
No. It does not call 999 and is not monitored. The optional red Alarm button rings one family member you choose.
See how Bondnow works, read the FAQ, or try it free on Android or on iPhone and iPad. Also reading: Alexa as a Christmas gift for an elderly parent.