Christmas Present Ideas for Grandfathers

Grandfathers will appreciate gifts handmade by their grandchildren.

It is notoriously difficult to buy suitable presents for men, but most grandfathers appreciate a handmade gift or personal memento from their grandchildren far more than a bought gift. Christmas is a time for relatives to get together, so stick to a family-theme for festive gifts that will make grandpa happy.

Personalized Photo Frame

Personalize a family photograph, by making a frame inspired by your grandfather's hobbies and interests. Decorate a plain wooden frame with decoupage techniques. Cut interesting images from magazines, or make color photocopies of your own photos. Brush PVA glue over the frame, dampen the paper cut-outs with water, coat them with glue and place on the frame overlapping them slightly till the whole frame is covered. Leave to dry and varnish with a coat of PVA glue.

Family Day Gift Certificate

Spending quality time with their grandchildren is a real treat for most grandfathers. Contact local sports arenas, theaters, restaurants, concert-halls or other providers of activities grandpa would enjoy and ask about gift certificates. Alternatively order tickets directly, or make your own "I owe you" activity certificate and decorate it yourself. Ask the company you are booking with if it can send you a brochure, poster or similar which you can add to the gift.

Homemade Hamper

Get into the kitchen and start cooking up recipes that grandpa will enjoy. This is suitable for all, but the tiniest grandchildren. Internet sites offer many free recipes that are easy for kids to make. Buy an attractive basket, line it with tissue paper and fill it with a selection of homemade cakes, biscuits, preserves and candies. Top up with shop-bought favorites if desired.

Scrap Book

Fill a blank scrap book with photos and other mementos that grandpa will enjoy. Look out for any souvenirs you have of occasions you've enjoyed together such as event tickets, programs or photos. Ask your parents, aunts and uncles and grandmother if they have similar items. Alternatively, choose a date from when grandpa was young and seek out souvenirs relating to this time, such as old newspapers (which can be bought online), favorite recipes from the period, record covers and postcards of popular movie stars.