Christmas Gifts for Grandparents

There are whole villages to collect in the Department 56 range. If your grandmother likes it, then it might take care of all birthday, Christmas and anniversary ideas for the rest of your lives!

(I do speak from experience here. When I was younger, my mother collected Lilliput Lane. My job wasn't to come up with inspiration, but to head down to the store selling them and choose the best that I could find and afford. 

Unfortunately, she ran out of room to display them.  Now I'm left with, "Oh! I don't need anything. You save your money", which is neither use nor - most definitely - ornament on her big days. Oh, for a return of the Lilliput Lane days!)

Department 56 is a leading name in decorative Lit Houses in America.  You are not looking at any old tat here, but something which could be an investment.

As with all of their collection, the houses are ceramic and finely detailed.  There is a cord to plug into a socket, so that the windows actually light up. The theme for this one is Grandma's home at Christmas, which is what makes it a perfect present for your own.

If you are lucky enough to have all of your grandparents with you this Christmas, then you'll want to keep it that way.

Catholic grandchildren, and those adhering to other Christian denominations, may find some divine inspiration for Christmas presents here.  St Anne is the patron saint of Grandparents. She is the one keeping Her eye on them, while you're off doing things.

The pewter pendants come with an 18" necklace chain.  A holy blessing from their grandchild, what could be more in-keeping with the sacred meaning of the holiday?

The Lawrence Frames Sentiment Collection is very popular, and they are available with the legends involving Nana and Grandad too; as well as parents, if you want to cover the job lot!  Just choose the most appropriate frame, then get the old digital camera out.

If you want it to be a surprise, then you might have to employ some ninja skills in getting a good picture with grandma, grandpa and the grandchildren all together.

Try to pick a moment when they are looking good. They will want this on display, where all visitors can see it. 

Of course, if your Grandparents are more in the habit of going out to meet their friends, then a brag book might be the better gift.  Or both, so that they have the option of how they are going to show you off.

Yes, I know there's the potential for embarrassment here, but this is your Grandparents' Christmas gift, not yours!

All grandparents accumulate framed pictures of their grandkids, but this gift moves that up to a higher level.  

Children really do grow up too fast.  I have nephews whom I see every week and they still managed to surprise me by becoming adults.  I'm sure I was only changing diapers a year or two ago.

This Christmas present for grandparents will freeze just a tiny moment in time. Choose between a hand print or feet prints of their infant grandchild.  Add a picture and it's a delightful memento of when they were tiny.  To be used to greatest effect when they're towering above you, a blink of an eye later, and bringing home boyfriends and girlfriends.

Though the frames are patently aimed at recording baby grandchildren, you could rebel.  It might be an amusing stocking filler to attempt to get an adult print into that space!  Particularly when juxtaposed against the caption legends.

The footprint frame reads, "Little feet that walked today, simply swept our hearts away."   Great alongside an image of you lifting Grandma off her feet? 

The handprint frame reads, "Time will not hold me as small as today, but this handprint and smile will keep me this way."  Hilarious alongside an image of you looking huge next to Grandad, or working out in a gym.

Go on!  Be imaginative and be a devil!

There are plenty of hand-print kits on the market, but this one particularly looks towards the proud grandparents at Christmas.

It is actually a Christmas Tree decoration, dangled from the boughs with green ribbon. For that reason, the frame is lightweight plastic and the sheet inside is ready-sheet.  You will have to add the hand-print though.

The creation kit comes with instructions and gold ink.  That is totally child-safe and easy to wash off.  Now all you need do is keep your Christmas baby still long enough to take the imprint!

If you're looking for Christmas Ornaments for Grandparents, when it isn't the first year, then a couple of options are below.  The first can be hand customized by the maker.  Where it says 'proud grandparents', you can request different words.

The second is a gift box set of exquisite glass baubles with 'Merry Christmas Grandparents' in glitter upon them.  Pretty!