Are you stumped when it comes to gift ideas for grandparents? I know the feeling!

I have gotten many a present over the years for my own grandparents and now my parents who are the grandparents in the family.

I mean you name it – I’ve tried it.

There were the sweaters, scarves, t-shirts and socks (yes socks!!) for the grandpa.

Then there was the year that almost everyone in the family got my grandma a fancy soap package. I still remember her saying “I think everyone thinks I smell!” LOL!

All these presents were found after hours of shopping at the mall trying to figure out what to get them….

Until one day I hit the jackpot.

It wasn’t actually for the holiday season. It was my parents’ 40th anniversary and I was going to be driving in for the occasion with the kids.

I had been visiting an older lady in our community a few months before the anniversary and after a few minutes of chit chat she asked me to pull a book off the shelf for her.

Then this lovely older woman (she was a great grandmother) showed me the photo album that her children had made for her. You should have seen the look in her eyes. The love. The excitement of turning each page, which I was sure she had done already 100 times at least.

That’s it! That’s the present I’m going to make for my parents.

A family photo album.

And that’s what I did. My mom cried and cried when she opened it. And it’s been sitting on the mantel piece above the fire place in the middle of our living room ever since.

And the number of people to whom she’s shown this book…..

So yes, my number one best gift for grandparents is:

1. A Family Album

They are so easy to make and really not so expensive.

But it’s the type of gift that they’ll look at over and over again…. And show it to all their friends.

Funny thing that year when I made this album for my parents, I made a second copy for my grandmother who was in her mid-80s at the time.

I made a few slight changes to the book and I order it to bring along to the 40th anniversary. My daughter asked me why I didn’t wait 3 months and give it to her for her birthday. I told her ‘just cuz’.

My grandmother loved that photo album. She brought it with her to her card games with her friends and showed it off at every opportunity.

She died 3 days after her birthday that year…..

My daughter said to me “That’s why you wanted to give her the book right away, am I right? You wanted her to have these three months to enjoy the book cuz every day counts.” She was right. (I cry every time I think about this…)

If you want one of the best gift ideas for grandparents – one that they’ll cherish every day – go for the family photo album.

2. Family Calendar

Next best on the list is a personalized calendar. Add all your own pics, mark all the birthdays and family events and voila – the perfect family gift.

I took the time to make a calendar for my parents a few years back. It took me a few hours to get it just right with all the pics the way I liked it and all the right birthdays in place.

But the effects of those few hours lingered for a full 12 months. They loved this calendar like I can’t begin to tell you.

Every month I would get an email or a call telling me how exciting it is to start a new month cuz they get to see a new page full of pics of their darling grandchildren staring at them for another 30 days.

3. Canvas Prints

Along with that family photo album for my parents 40th anniversary we also went for family portraits and had some family pics printed on canvas.

I’m sure they added to the already flowing tears that my mom shed that day after opening our gifts.

And yes, they are still hanging in my parents home. We actually just went for family portraits again recently cuz it’s time for new canvas prints!

So if you’re behind in your family portraits – and they don’t have to be professional! – get yourself some great family pics and send them off to print on canvas.

Where to Get Your Photo Albums, Family Calendar & Canvas Prints?

Mixbook

Mixbook is my personal favorite. They've got everything - photo albums of any and every size, calendars, canvas and metallic prints and so many other fun picture related gift ideas.

They've also got great prices and are super easy to use. And of course, they’ve always got sales going on. I say: definitely give Mixbook a try!

Blurb

Blurb is my second favorite option. They books are beautiful and totally customizable. They also have options for making any type of book - sort of like it's own self publishing platform, so you could make your picture book into a magazine or a softcover book, include family stories or add poetry.

The sky's the limit here. Check out the options of Blurb, guaranteed to fall in love with your photo album!

Pik Perfect

Pik Perfect has really high end photo albums for regular day prices. These are the types of books that you'll want for a wedding album, baby album or an anniversary gift - or just a really special gift for the grandparents.

They even have an option to have the design done by one of their design specialists.I especially love love love their baby photo albums!

Pik Perfect also includes a free personalized calendar with every purchase. Also, please notice that if you go with the design your own album route then you'll receive 35% off the prices listed.

Snapfish

Snapfish is another popular choice for all your picture book, calendar, canvas prints and so many more gifts.

They've got loads of personalized picture related gift ideas for grandparents like mugs, blankets, pillows, ornaments, bags, magnets.

You name it, they've probably got it!

If you like family pictures on just about anything, check out Snapfish.

I think I'm going to go for the fleece blanket!

4. Digital Picture Frame

This is something I did for my grandmother years ago and she just loved it.

Problem was that the exact same pics were always revolving until someone took out the memory card and reloaded it with new ones, and my grandmother was certainly not the one for the job.

Seeing as how I lived in a different city, this didn’t prove the easiest things and needless to say she didn’t often see new pics coming up on her picture frame. But that’s all changed now, since the new and improved version of the digital picture frame actually has a feature where you can email new photos to the picture frame itself and the new pics will start appearing right away.

Now that is AWESOME!!!! My grandmother kept her digital picture frame on her side table next to her couch and just loved all the comments from friends and neighbors who visited. I’ve seen other grandparents keep theirs in their kitchen to look at all they cook.

Where can you picture your grandparents keeping their digital picture frame?

5. Family Getaway

There’s nothing like making new memories! If the grandparents are willing and able, book a trip!

Doesn’t have to be far, but work on making new family memories.

And make sure to take plenty of pictures!!!

My dad with two of my girls at the cottage with us. We had a blast!

The older my grandparents got the more they just wanted to spend time with the family, and I’m starting to see the same with my own parents too. I guess aging brings things into perspective – knowing what’s truly valuable in life.

So, I’m always working on planning our next family outing. Last summer we went to center Island in Toronto and Canada’s Wonderland.

We’ve done a lot of fun trips over the years, but I think my favorite was going to the cottage with the grandparents. Four days of swimming, boating and campfires!

Totally incredible!

What's your favorite getaway with your family?

Like these gifts ideas for grandparents?

What gifts have been super successful for the grandparents in your family?

Fabulous Family Gift Ideas for Grandparents