Gift Ideas for Grandparents

Need a Perfect Gift for an Active Grandparent?

Mar 2, 2009 Jan Peterson

Today's grandparents are an energetic bunch. Match their gifts to suit their active lifestyle!

Grandparents can be found volunteering at their grandkids school, picking up or dropping off grandkids, attending school plays and concerts, cheering at ballgames and acting as chaperones. They play video games, send text messages and hold sleepovers for their grandkids. So, when shopping for a gift for such an active grandparent, there are many practical ideas.

Grandparent Sporting Event Gifts

Sports Chair – These folding aluminum chairs are invaluable for a grandparent who attends ballgames on school fields. They are lightweight and fold-up to fit into a carrying bag with a shoulder strap. Most have arm rests with drink holders for a coffee cup or water bottle. They do wear out with so much use, so even if they have one, you can’t go wrong buying another. Wal-Mart prices start at $15.00.

Chair Umbrellas – Most grandparents need to be cautious about skin cancers and nothing is worse than coming home scorched after a grandchild’s ballgame. These umbrellas come with tilt features, SPF protection and clamp right onto sports chairs. They run from $12 to $200.

Stadium or Coliseum Seat – When stadium seating is available, these are easy-to-carry back-savers. The seats are usually made of heavy duty outdoor material. They feature buckle adjustments for different backrest positions, straps that can be secured to the bleachers, pouches and pockets for storing accessories, and carrying straps or handles for easy transport. Wal-Mart prices average $10.00 to $15.00.

Sun Glasses – Sun glasses are here today and gone tomorrow. It’s very important for grandparents to wear sunglasses that block the sun’s UV rays. In the “FAQs” section in the All About Vision website, they state “The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm”, which are the hours most ballgames occur. They recommend sunglasses that protect wearers from 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB light, which will reduce the risk of cataracts. Sunglasses with UV protection can be found for as little as $20.

Binoculars – So many important events that grandkids participate in are at quite a distance. Binocular.com has many reasonably priced binoculars with different features perfect for sports, plays, graduations, or bird watching with the grandkids. Priced from $45.99.

Give a Grandparent Technology Gifts

Digital cameras – Grandparents take pictures of everything. If they haven’t gotten into the digital age yet, it’s time! A good all around camcorder that also takes still pictures, is the RCA Small Wonder digital camcorder. It’s pocket-sized and priced around $75.

Digital Picture Frames – Once grandparents have taken all those digital pictures, they will want to display them. The new digital picture frames take up the real estate of just one picture frame, which is very handy for grandparents who have a big family! They come in sizes that range from 7” to 15”, and are priced from $50 to $200.

Give Grandparents a Book Gift

How to Books – The technical world can be overwhelming. If grandparents need help understanding something about their new digital camera, DVD player, or cell phone, there are helpful books in the “For Dummies” series. Or, if they aren’t always sure what their grandkids are texting them, they may appreciate E-Z Text Messaging 4 Grandparents by Valli Marti (BookSurge Publishing, May 12, 2008). This book was rated 4.5 stars in Amazon, purchase price as low as $10.72.

Finding a gift for someone who has grand kids is easy, because they are enjoying life and having fun with the people they love. But remember, the best gift anyone can give a grandparent is a little of their time and a big hug.