Creative Birthday Gifts Ideas for a Grandparent

Photo Gifts

Simply framing a picture of your child is a great birthday gift for a grandparent. But why not be a little more creative and give a personalized photo gift? A photo book can tell a story, perhaps of special times your child has shared with his grandparent. Put together a calendar of photos of your child so that grandma can enjoy her birthday present all year round. Sites like KodakGallery.com and Snapfish.com can help you personalize almost anything with a photo, from blankets and mugs to mouse pads, refrigerator magnets, and jewelry. If grandpa spends a lot of time on the computer, a mouse pad with his grandchildren on it is the perfect gift. Does grandma just have to start her day with a cup of coffee? Gift her with a photo mug so she can see her darlings each and every morning. Some grandparents carry around what is called a brag book of photos of their grandchildren so they can show off to all of their friends. Present grandma or grandpa with an updated stock of pictures for their collection. Framing a piece of artwork your child has created is also a perfect birthday present for a grandparent.

Give Grandparents a Hand

Use your child's hand print to create a unique birthday gift. Dip little hands in washable paint and press them onto paper, then frame with the date. A trip to a do-it-yourself pottery shop will likely yield a ton of creative ideas for gifts. What about a serving platter personalized with your child's hand prints? Even better, these ideas allow you to involve your child in the gift, making it an experience he or she can remember as well. And, you can kill a few hours on a rainy afternoon so there really is no down side!

Special Events

Gift grandma and grandpa with tickets to a special event like a show or concert that they can enjoy with their grandkids. You are not just giving a gift, but creating a special experience for grandparents and grandchildren alike. And if you just happen to get a free afternoon out of it, then that is an added bonus! Just check to see what show might be coming to your area that your children would enjoy and then fish out some information from the grandparents about which weekends they may have free before you purchase the tickets. If you do not happen to live in an area where this is an option, try putting together a special "date" for grandparents and grand kids, like a trip to a zoo or museum, followed by lunch or a visit to an ice cream shop. If your budget is bigger you can gift grandma or grandpa with a trip you can all enjoy as a family. How better to celebrate a milestone birthday than on a cruise ship?

Personalize It

Does your child call his or her beloved grandparent by a special name, like Grammie or Nana? Have a throw pillow embroidered just for her. You can do the same with a tote bag, cosmetics bag, apron, kitchen towel or blanket. Grandma would also cherish a necklace or bracelet with charms engraved with each of her grand kids' names. Grandpa probably would not mind a personalized beer mug or golf towel that says Papa or Gramps. For a grandparent with a sweet tooth, you can even put your child's face and a personalized message on M&M's!

Low-Cost or No-Cost Options

Help your children put together a special performance for grandma or grandpa's birthday, like a play or a concert. It does not have to be perfect; remember that just seeing how much thought went into the performance will warm grandma or grandpa's heart. Serve some homemade cupcakes after the show, perhaps decorated by the kids. If your children are old enough, they can help you cook a special dinner for the grandparents. If grandma and grandpa live far away, put together a video message from the kids and send it off. Make sure you get the little ones to sing Happy Birthday! Even a simple homemade card created by the grandchildren will mean the world to its recipient. All you need is a box of crayons and some construction paper and the result will be a cherished keepsake for grandma or grandpa.

A gift card to a bookstore for grandma or a generic scarf or tie for grandpa are great gifts, but a personal touch means so much more even if you are not spending a lot of money. Think about what your child's grandparents enjoy, and you can likely create a special gift just for them. And since all grandparents enjoy their grandkids, no matter what the birthday present is, if it involves little Sue or Johnny, it will probably be a home run!