The Best Gifts for Grandfathers, According to Grandfathers (and a Few Good Grandkids)

If he treats every grandchild’s masterpiece as he would art from a gallery, consider this picture frame that’s easy to open and close as the art pours in. Plus it doubles as art storage since it can hold up to 50 pieces.

This fill in the blank-style journal contains simple but creative prompts that grandfathers and their grandchildren can complete together over time. Older grandkids could also complete the exercises solo, then gift an already completed book of love notes for their grandfather to read and enjoy.

For the grandfather who starts every sentence with “When I was your age,” this book includes 12 prompted letters for him to record all his best memories for his grandchildren to cherish and even includes envelopes and stickers.

Here’s a book to add to the story-time queue. It includes tips for “babysitting” a grandpa, like what to eat for snacks and what to do on a walk.

DeeDee Moore, the founder of the grandparenting blogMore Than Grand, likes gifting Richard Eyre’s book to new grandfathers. “It’s an excellent gift for those grandfathers who want ideas to help shape their role as grandpa or who need a little help getting outside their comfort zone,” Moore says.

For the Jewish grandpa who embraces his wise age, I recommend this guide that promises to teach readers how to “how to eat, dress, get around town, and schmooze like a seasoned OJM” — meaning Old Jewish Man. If your grandpa already considers himself an expert in those categories, it’ll at least give him a good laugh. (That was the case when I gave the book to my boyfriend’s grandpa, anyway.)

My parents gave this book to my grandfather while he was writing a book. He loved it so much that he keeps recommending it to me so we can chat about it.

Pair it with these book darts if he loves to annotate (but hates to dog-ear).

Or these personalized stamps if he starts every lunch with the question, “What are you reading lately?”

For the e-reader grandfathers, we recommend this silicone strap that’ll prevent his Kindle (or Kobo) from falling on the floor if he falls asleep. (Not that that ever happens.)

If he forgot about the beauty of ashoehorndecades ago, this nice-looking one will jog his memory. It’s well priced and works with most shoe heights, from his snug Merrells to long-beloved Blundstones.

If he’s always forgetting to take his pills, he might just need a betterpill case. This one has seven labeled compartments for each day of the week. He’ll be able to switch the order of the lids as he pleases, meaning he can set it to the first day of his retirement vacations.

You can never go wrong witha giant bucket of Maldon, but this white-truffle salt will be a nice alternative if he’s still working through the tub you got him last year. In the words of our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman, “A little goes a long way.”

ChefThomas Kellerhas been using this shaving cream since he moved to New York in 1984. Decades later, he says, “It’s still the richest, smoothest shave cream that I’ve tried.”

Whether he’s a fan ofSeinfeldor likes a good party trick, this traveler pen is a reliable writing utensil for filling out travel forms, journaling, or completing crosswords. It can be used on any surface, in all weather conditions, and at any cabin pressure.

Small but mighty, this massage ball is ideal for the grandpa who’s serious about his afternoon walks and can’t resist a morning bike ride but needs a little something extra to knead out aches and pains.

And if it’s his back that’s achy, gift him thishook-shaped massagerdesigned for kneading out hard-to-reach spots.

Even grandpa deserves a “lippie” moment — as Gen Z says. Here’s an olive-oil-based lip balm that comes recommended byBobby Flay(and his on-set groomer).

Here are some nice-lookingcompression socks, which help prevent heavy legs and swollen feet during long flights to see the grandkids.

Board gamescame up with multiple grandparents who said they’re a fun gift that encourages family time. Go with Mouse trap, a ’90s classic that’s suitable for playing with grandkids ages 4 and up.

Grandfather Manny Oliverez told us hisgrillwas one of the best gifts he’s received, because “what is better than being together grilling and eating with friends, family, and the grandkids?” We like this large yakitori, which can easily hold a couple of steaks.

My grandfather was looking for a sleep mask that wasn’t too tight and would help him snooze deeply. I gave him this one, which is adjustable and the most effective blackout sleep mask that I’ve tested since writingour guide to sleep masks.

For the Revolutionary War reenactors and Beat Generation followers, a History by Mail subscription will send detailed replicas of historical documents along with interesting context right to his door. (If he’s particularly into cooking or sports, you might considerRecipes By MailorSports History By Mailinstead.)

When wesurveyed 1,000 seniorsabout the things they buy, they shared that books are some of the most useful gifts to receive. For the grandpa who’s a pickle enthusiast, consider gifting him this comprehensive guide to at-home fermentation.

Pair it with the kit that includes everything you need to master the art of fermentation.

Or if he prefers his briny delights fried, this kit includes everything he needs to make fried pickles, including dill pickles, tempura mix, and Panko breadcrumbs.

GrandparentsBarbara and Fred Zucker have multiple grandkids in college and suggest gifting a crewneck from a grandkid’s alma mater. It’s a cozy way to keep the grandkids with you at all times.

Whether or not your grandpa has a green thumb, thisindoor gardenmakes it easy to grow everything from basil to mint thanks to its LED lights and hydroponic growing system.

After sustaining a coffee addiction for many decades, he’s probably tried more than a few brews — even if he still prefers his coffee black. But if he’s open to something new, thisflash-frozen coffee concentrateis a good bet. “They’re made fromgoodbeans, too — as soon as you dissolve a little puck in water, it tastes like you’re drinking a cup straight from your local shop,” reports our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman.

If Grandpa’s agolfer, he’ll appreciate a set of custom golf balls. You can personalize them with his name, initials, or a photo that’ll brighten his day anytime he tees up.

This packable pad will come in handy for his nextcamping trip. Utah-based hiker Rob Urry, a father of four and grandfather of 11 likes that it’s super comfortable and takes just a few breaths to inflate.

While the results of oursenior surveyrevealed that most seniors don’t find DNA tests particularly appealing, a couple grandparents still expressed interest in documenting and passing down their family history. This virtual class from the National Genealogy Society teaches students how to document family history at their own pace within a six-month time frame.

Grandfathers deserve nothing less than our favorite memory-foamtravel neck pillow, which has slightly raised sides to stop your head from slumping. It’s so good that our travel writer will use it to cheat on our top pick, theTrtl.

Make his morning strolls that much more relaxing with Merrell’snotoriously comfortableslip-ons.

If he already has a massage ball, step up his at-home massage setup with this heatedfoot massager. It’s hands free for easier use.

Hokas were a favorite among seniors who contributed to oursenior surveybecause the sneakers are extra cushioned and comfortable. In fact, they’re the Strategist’s favorite ultracushionedwalking shoe.

If his current robe is tattered, gift him our favorite 100-percent cottonbathrobefrom Parachute. It’s lightweight yet warm and looks very classic.

The Aura digital picture frame came up again and again when I chatted with grandparents about the gifts they actually want. You can set this one up beforehand to avoid hours of tech help in the future.

If he’s always recommending a new classic for your to-read list, surprise him with this clock that tells time with quotes from books spanning the past six centuries. The creators add new quotes every day, so he won’t get tired of seeing the same ones over and over again.

Whether he’s a regular at the gym or knows all the neighbors because of his daily walks, ourfavorite fitness trackerwill allow him to track his workouts, count steps, and keep an eye on his heart rate. Plus it has built-in GPS to help track long walks and bike rides.

This isn’t any old corkscrew. It’s best for the wine enthusiast with an extensive collection of older bottles because it combines a classic corkscrewwith a forkedAh-So-style wine-openerto better remove those old corks that might fall into the bottle.

It wouldn’t be a gift guide for grandfathers without this trendypickleballset that includes everything Grandpa needs to enter a match with his buddy: two paddles, two balls, and a storage backpack.

This solar-powered smart bird feeder livestreams avian friends straight to Grandpa’s phone. Grandmother Mary Eckenrode says the only thing her husband has on his wish list is a camera to watch the animals in his backyard.

Ronnie Green’s husband, Frank, is a train enthusiast and loves sharing that passion with his grandchildren through overnight train trips. This carry-on closet is best for grandpas with a similar passion who won’t have a hotel room to unpack their suitcase into.

An exercise bike was a popular wish-list item in our senior survey, and it will keep Grandpa active. This Schwinn bike has multiple adjustable settings and workout programs for a customized ride, and it displays your ride history.

If he already has the bike (or just a dedicated walking routine), he can use these high-techcompression bootsto improve circulation and reduce muscle soreness.

These waterproof binoculars will signal to the other bird-watchers that Grandpa isnota beginner.Our resident birder, Katherine Gillespie, says, “They have a slightly larger lens diameter and ESP dielectric coating, which delivers excellent contrast and color fidelity, helping you see the patterns and hues on a bird’s feathers.”