Regardless of what you’re celebrating this year, we’ve got gift guides for everyone in the family. Here’s a sampling of our coverage thus far:
Another group we want to make sure is included? Grandparents. Grandparents are the best — they’re some of the most inspirational and impactful familial relationships some people have. They’ve got great stories, can offer invaluable beads of wisdom based on life experience and deserve a kind gesture regardless of the season from their loving family members. They can also be tricky to buy for — I mean, what do they really need? We’ve gathered gifts for all different types of boomers from the food-lovers to the avid readers and the new grandparents who only want pictures of babies. The truth is — unlike other people on your list, no matter what you get for them they’re going to love it, so don’t stress too much.
Here are the best gifts for grandparents for 2022.
1. Skylight Digital Picture Frame
BEST FOR THE PHOTO-OBSESSED
One thing that most grandparents have in common? They love photos. This digital picture frame is a great gift for grandparents that makes sending photos to your grandparents through email easy and requires only 60 seconds to set up. All you need is a plug and a WiFi connection in your grandparents’ home to bring this frame to life with pictures of their families and grand-babies. It has a 10-inch touchscreen display and a 1280 x 800 resolution so the pictures will come through clearly and beautifully each time.
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2. Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner with Sonic Mopping
FOR THE GRANDPARENT WHO LIKES A CLEAN HOME
Whether you want to give your grandparent the gift of time or provide some light housekeeping that may otherwise be difficult for them due to mobility issues, robotic vacuums are a great gift. We have long been fans of the Roborock line and the company just released the Roborock S7, which has improved mopping capabilities. Unlike most robotic vacuum and mop combos which can only perform one task at a time, the Roborock S7 vacuums and mops in tandem, with smart technology knowing when the vacuum is on a non-mopping surface, like carpet, and when it’s free to mop away. SPY received a sample of the new Roborock S7 and we were impressed by its ability to expertly map rooms and the ample space in its dustbin (less emptying = win!). Even better, Roborock has now introduced an Auto-Empty Dock that features a HEPA filter and helps to remove and hold dust for up to eight weeks, helping to clean the air in your grandparent’s home.
3. Urban Stems Flower Delivery
BEST CLASSIC GIFT
If you want to go with a simple gesture for a gift for grandparents, flowers are always a great option. Urban Stems have everything from flower bunches to wreaths and beautiful home decor that can all be delivered nationwide. Choose your arrangement and when you’d like it sent and you’re good to go. They also deliver house plants if your grandma or grandpa is a bit of a green thumb.
4. Amazon Echo Show 10
BEST FOR STAYING IN TOUCH
You might not live close to your grandparents, and if you don’t, an Amazon Echo Show is a great gift for staying in touch as much as possible. This brand new Echo Show 10 has a 10.1″ HD screen that’s designed to be moved, so granny or grandpa can take it with them to show you their flourishing garden or brand new knitting project. It’s got a 13MP camera for making video calls with friends and family, and it’s got Alexa capabilities for playing their favorite music or checking the weather using just their voices. It can also easily put photo memories on display, so they can look at their darling children and grandchildren all day long.
5. U.S. Mini Constitution
BEST FOR THE POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED
Grandparents tend to love talking about politics. Even if you don’t always agree with what they have to say — we can all agree on the Constitution (hopefully). This mini-constitution is perfect for throwing in a purse, briefcase or the center console of your car and referencing when need be. It’s made with genuine calfskin leather and contains 192 gilt-edged pages inside. It’s sewn for longevity and durability, so it’ll last them a while.
6. Framebridge Photos
BEST FOR THE SENTIMENTAL ONES
Grandparents love nothing more than new framed photos. Framebridge is a great, affordable, and easy-to-use resource for getting pictures framed and shipped to anyone. You can upload things digitally or get art prints, memorabilia, and even objects framed from home and send them along all through the service. Their pricing starts at $39 and you get to pick everything from the size to the color and look of the frame. If your grandparents have been quarantined all of COVID and could use a dose of family — this might be just the ticket.
7. Tile Pro
BEST FOR THE FORGETFUL
Help your grandparents never lose their keys, phone, wallet, or other important items with Tile. These tiny trackers can attach to basically anything and can be traced up to 400ft away and through GPS tracking on an app on their phone. If their memory is spottier than it once was or they’re a bit more forgetful than usual, this device can save them hours of agony from searching and locate something within seconds. Just make sure you help them set it up!
8. My Life Story – So Far Journal
BEST FOR THE STORYTELLERS
Are your grandparents always sharing long, drawn-out life stories with you? We get it, sometimes these can get a little boring but the truth is their life experience is pretty incredible advice if you really listen, and it’s probably super important to them that the details of their lives are remembered. This journal can help them do just that — it’s got prompts for recording life’s most precious experiences as well as relationships, wisdom, and other nuggets of gold we’re sure they’re dying to share, which is why it’s one of the best gifts for grandparents we could find.
9. Pillow Cube Pro
FOR THE GRANDPARENT WHO NEEDS A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Getting a good night’s sleep is paramount to everyone’s health, but as we age, ensuring we have good sleep health is even more important. That’s why a brand new Pillow Cube is just the gift your grandparents need to get their ZZZ’s, especially if they’re side sleepers. The Pillow Cube, while a bit strange looking, is a game changer for sleepers with a soft, supportive construction and a temperature-regulating design that’s built to last. They’ve got a bunch of varieties available, including the Pillow Cube Pro which closely resembles a regular pillow with all the great elements of the brand’s reinvented design. This is the one we recommend gifting grandparents, or anyone who may be resistant to change at first.
10. Instant Pot Duo Electric Pressure Cooker
BEST FOR COOKS
You know it, you love it, now it’s time to introduce your grandparents to the magic of the pressure cooker. It cooks fast, saves time, and can produce delicious results without them needing to slow cook for hours, baste, or worry about overcooking. This one comes with nine different functions and 10 different safety features built-in. This 6-quart size is perfect for couples or smaller households, but there are bigger varieties available as well.
11. Kindle Paperwhite
BEST FOR THE AVID READER
If your grandpa is always telling you about his latest historical biography or your grandma can’t stop talking about the mystery binge she’s on — it’s time for a Kindle. Amazon just released their first upgraded Kindle Paperwhite design in three years, and we think it’s a perfect gift for anyone in your life who devours books. Grandpa can’t put down yet another WWII historical fiction book? Then he needs a Kindle. He can easily swipe through those pages with the 6.8″ display with thinner borders, and the flush-front design has a 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper, even when he’s in the sun. He’ll love that it’s waterproof and easy on the eyes as well.
12. JUDY Mover Max Emergency Kit
BEST FOR THE DOOMSDAY-ER
Whether your grandparents believe some questionable conspiracies or you’re concerned about their ability to respond to an emergency, this JUDY kit is a good move. It has plenty of life-saving supplies inside a waterproof go-bag they can easily grab on their way out the door or store in the car just in case. It can support a family of four for up to 72 hours, so it’ll keep the two of them going for a while with food, water, first aid supplies and more.
13. Plum Print Kids Artwork Book
FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENT
Kids love showing off their artwork and grandparents are the perfect audience. Your little Picasso will be thrilled to gift grandma or grandpa a book that is comprised of their latest creations, and grandparents will appreciate receiving a beautiful coffee table book they can proudly show off without having to figure out how they will fit 57 new paintings on their fridge. Parents can add report cards, stories written by their kids, pictures, and more to create a keepsake for grandparents that will make them feel like they were there for every milestone even if distance makes that impossible. Plum Print uses 100-pound luster archival paper to create their books, which are finished with a library binding to create a product that will last forever.
14. Apple Watch Series 7
FOR THE GRANDPARENT ON THE MOVE
Whether your grandparent is devoted to their daily walks or needs a little motivation to keep moving, the Apple Watch is a multi-use gift for grandparents that just about anyone with an Apple phone will appreciate. Standing reminders can help grandparents feel motivated to take breaks from sitting, while fitness features will help them track their daily physical exercise progress. Using the ECG app, grandparents can check their heart rhythm and measure their blood oxygen level. Finding their phone using their watch and answering calls and texts on their watch can help avoid feelings of frustration, and the Always-on Retina display is 20% larger with the newly-released Apple Watch 7, making it easier for older eyes to read the screen. Grandparents can also use the watch to call for help if necessary and for models with GPS and cellular services, tracking the wearer if they get lost is possible, making this a great safety device.
15. Blue Circle Foods Seafood Subscription
FOR THE GRANDPARENT WHO LOVES SEAFOOD
Helping grandparents eat healthily is a great way to show them they are loved. There’s no shortage of great food subscription services available and one of our faves is Blue Circle Foods. The company recently launched a Seafood Subscription and SPY was able to sample one of the monthly boxes. We were impressed by the variety and freshness of the seafood, how well packaged it arrived, and how easy it was to remove the seafood from the packaging. There was a great mix between seafood that was pre-seasoned and unseasoned, and we liked that the food was in smaller portion sizes, making it appropriate for single or double person households and easy to store in the freezer or fridge. Studies have shown that eating healthy fats, including Omega-3s found in seafood, is an excellent way to experience healthy aging, including improved cardiovascular and cognitive responses and health. Not only will grandparents like the taste of seafood, but it’s also good for them too!
16. Tempest Weather Station
FOR THE WEATHER-CONSCIOUS GRANDPARENT
For the grandparent who loves to be able to tell you about the weather before it happens, they are going to love the Tempest Weather Station. The user-friendly unit has a simple, wireless installation that will quickly connect online using the company’s dedicated app. The weather station provides focused reports on the user’s exact location as well as their local weather. Users will be able to view current wind speed and direction, UV index, outdoor temperature and dew points, rain onset and intensity, and much more. SPY received a sample of the Tempest Weather Station and we were impressed by how easy it was to set up and use the system and its detailed analysis of the current weather conditions. We also liked that we could use information gathered by the Tempest to adjust our AC and heating units, which helps to save money on energy costs.
17. SimpleHuman Cleanstation
FOR THE GERM-FREE GRANDPARENT
Eliminating germs is always important, but for older adults, keeping germs away is a must. As we age, our immune system weakens and the common cold or flu can have devastating effects. One of the easiest ways to clean items that are germ magnets, in this case, smartphones, is with the SimpleHuman Cleanstation. Users insert their phone into the Clean Station and the phone will lower into the unit’s Omni-lux chamber, where 30 high-intensity UV-C LED lights will remove 99.9 percent of germs. SPY received a sample of the Cleanstation and we were impressed by the ultra-fast 30-second cleaning cycle and the compact size of the unit, which is about the same size as a container of hand soap. Once the phone has been sanitized, the EPA-registered Cleanstation will automatically rise up, taking all the guesswork out of cleaning your phone.
18. Goldbelly Food Delivery
BEST FOR FOODIES
If your grandparents are foodies and frequently discuss the top-notch Chinese food they love in New York or the pizza from Chicago — now you can send them their favorites from afar. Goldbelly ships food from small businesses and restaurants nationwide anywhere, bringing deliciousness closer to everyone. They’ll love savoring their favorites and will continue to wonder how the food traveled all the way to them from various destinations across the US.
MORE: The Best Gifts for All Your Foodie Friends and Family Members
19. How to Babysit a Grandma and Grandpa Boxed Set
BEST FOR NEW GRANDPARENTS
If your grandparents are new grandparents, AKA they’ve got babies and little kids around, these adorable children’s books are perfect for reading to their grandchildren before bed or during playtime. Each one details a fun day with grandma or grandpa and is sure to become a favorite of theirs and the child whenever they visit. This box set includes a hardcover book for each of them to enjoy.
20. BlendJet 2
FOR THE HEALTHY GRANDPARENT
We all know that eating healthy is important, but there are many reasons why we often reach for the processed food option. We may not know how to prepare a healthy snack or meal, we may not have the energy to cook, or in many cases for elderly grandparents, living alone can provide minimal motivation to cook for one. A great gift for grandparents is a kitchen accessory designed for just about any lifestyle with the BlendJet 2. The stainless steel blades and powerful motor make it easy for anyone to blend up their favorite smoothie or pureed food (great for when newborn grandkids come for a visit). BlendJet also sells premade protein packs that deliver delicious smoothies to help those who are new to blending get started. SPY received a sample of the BlendJet 2 and we were impressed with its user-friendly design, fast blending process, and long-lasting rechargeable battery. We also like that the blender has a self-cleaning function that makes it easy to keep the blender clean and ready for the next day’s smoothie.
21. Grandma’s Kitchen Candle
BEST FOR SCENT LOVERS
Candles are a classic safe gift for a reason — people appreciate them! Especially when they celebrate a universally loved scent, like grandma’s kitchen. This candle from homesick has notes of apple pie, ice cream, snickerdoodles, spice, sugar, and everything delicious you love about grandma’s house. Gift this to your actual grandma to enjoy, whether these are scents you associate with her or not. She’ll love the thoughtfulness and you can grab one too to burn at your house to remind you of her.
22. 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service
BEST FOR THE FAMILY TREE-OBSESSED
Trace the lineage of your entire family for your grandparents this year with a 23andMe kit. This top-rated ancestry service breaks down the traits and ancestral makeup of your family from across 2,000+ regions and breaks down where your DNA is from in detail. It’s an at-home test your grandparents can easily complete that will tell them where they’re from, key elements of their health, their predisposition for certain conditions and where they’re from. Better yet, get a few for the family as well to widen the scope of data even further.
23. Knock Knock What I Love About Grandma
SWEETEST
It might sound a bit cheesy, but this book all about grandma is sure to bring a smile to her face no matter what the occasion is. Complete each line about why your grandma is the greatest and you’ll have a gift she’ll treasure for a while. There are 112 pages inside so there’s plenty of room for showing your love, and with just a $10 price tag it’s a very affordable gift.
24. Bottomless Coffee Scale
BEST FOR COFFEE LOVERS
This coffee scale automatically orders more coffee each time it senses a low weight in the bag, so your grandparents never have to worry about running out and having to go without caffeine. They can pick their desired coffee variety from 300+ different choices and the Bottomless scale will make sure they’re always stocked. No matter how they like to enjoy their morning beverage — through drip, french press, or other brewing methods — this service is all about convenience, so even if they forget they’ll always have backup supplies.
25. Face Mask Chain
BEST FOR THE MASK-ADVERSE
Grandparents hate wearing masks? Yeah, we all kind of do — but they’re necessary for keeping themselves and everyone else healthy. Make wearing one more fun and exciting with the addition of a face mask chain. They clip onto the ends of the mask and keep it attached even after it’s slipped off, similar to what croakies do for glasses. They’re available in a wide variety of types — from lanyards to beaded chains like this one from Etsy. Hopefully, now they’ll keep the mask up over their nose as well.
26. Piecework Rise & Shine Puzzle
BEST FOR PUZZLE LOVERS
Completing a puzzle is quite the grandparent-friendly activity, and this brand makes some of the most beautiful puzzles out there. The vibrant, colorful photographs are made on high-quality art stock paper that’s made of 100% recycled materials. This one, Rise & Shine, is one of my favorites — decked out with bedazzled strawberries, bagels, lox, oranges and more. It makes an excellent gift for grandparents who love puzzles.
27. Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Baby Gate
FOR THE SAFETY-CONSCIOUS GRANDPARENT
Keeping their grandchildren (fur babies included) safe is a top priority for grandparents, which is why they’ll appreciate this gift for grandparents. It’s a walk-thru baby gate that makes it easy for grandparents to step through while keeping children safe from messes, pets and other potential hazards. It’s built extra wide to accommodate larger openings and it’s got a pressure mount design that’s super easy to grandparents to set up. It’s adjustable, has an all-steel frame that’s durable, and can easily be wiped clean if necessary. If they’re go-to babysitters and need an extra baby gate or two in their home, this is a thoughtful gift option.
28. Brainiac Brain Bars
FOR THE GRANDPARENT WHO NEEDS SNACK IDEAS
Grandparents are known for having the best snacks, but pumping grandkids up with sugar and processed food and then letting them run loose isn’t fun for grandparents or parents. While we’re on the topic of things people are known for, kids can be known to be picky eaters. For snacks that kids will love and grandparents will feel good about giving to their little loves, we like the Brain Bars from Brainiac food. The company has several delicious and health-conscious snacks that keep little ones filled and thriving. SPY received a sample of their Chocolate Chip Brain Bars and loved that they were packed with Omega-3s, prebiotics, organic ingredients, and choline and free from common allergens like gluten, soy and nuts. Grandparents are safe to send the bars to school with their grandkids and can feel good knowing their house still has the best treats, making this a great gift for grandparents.
29. CozyChic Throw Blanket
BEST FOR GRANDPARENTS WHO LOVE MOVIE NIGHT
If your grandma or grandpa loves getting cozy on the couch and showing you their favorite old movie, this blanket is a great gift idea. It’s made of a plush, microfiber material that’s soft and perfect for staying warm on chillier nights. It also comes in a variety of neutral shades that’ll match their decor.
30. Our Place Always Pan Set
BEST FOR THE COOKS
Are your grandparents family-famous for their cooking? Do they still use ancient pans that have been around since your parents were in diapers? Then they need the Always Pan Set. This pan gained a cult following in 2020 and kept going out of stock for its efficient, nonstick built and aesthetically-pleasing design, and now it’s available in a set with a strainer and spatula. It’s designed to replace nearly every fry pan your grandparents own, saving them storage in their kitchen and heavy dishes to clean after big meals. It’s available in two colors, and would make an excellent gift for older folks who love to stay on top of the recent trends.