Think about what your grandparents talk about long after Christmas dinner has been cleared. It's usually a day out, a trip or an afternoon the whole family spent together. That's a handy clue if you're hunting for the best gifts for grandparents this Christmas: give them a story to tell.
Below you'll find experience gifts for grandma and grandpa, grouped by what they love, with an honest word on each (an early start here, a bit of walking there). Further down there's an easy way to let them choose if you can't settle on one of the gift ideas, plus a few ways to make the gift feel personal.
Why Experience Gifts Suit Grandparents
Many grandparents already have a home full of things they love, and they'll happily tell you so. That's where experience gifts come in. They don't need a spot on the sideboard, they put a date in the diary, and they give the whole family something to look forward to.
It's also a lovely way of spending time together. Take the kids along (or go yourself) and the present turns into a shared afternoon, with the photos and in-jokes that follow. Spending time with loved ones is often what a Christmas gift for grandparents is really about.
And it flexes. Not every grandparent wants to leap out of anything, and that's fine. A slow lunch, a gentle cruise or an art class all count as experience gifts, with no pressure to be adventurous.
If you're still stuck on the "they have everything" problem, our guide to Christmas gifts for people who have everything has more unique gifts and gift ideas to browse.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Choose
A minute of thinking now saves a lot of swapping later.
- Do they want company? Some grandparents love a quiet afternoon to themselves, others would rather have you beside them. Decide whether you're giving the experience, or giving a day together with other family members.
- How do they like to move? Think about stairs, standing, uneven ground and how long they're happy on their feet. Each experience page lists the details, so check for age limits, walking distance and seating before you commit.
- What's the weather doing? Christmas falls in summer in Australia, so shade and early starts help. In the northern hemisphere, December suits indoor ideas like high tea or the theatre. Grandparents can book for whichever season suits them, so you don't need to nail this down.
Best Christmas Gifts for Grandparents Who Love a Good View
These three experience gifts suit grandparents who like to sit back and let the scenery do the work.
Helicopter Tours
From the air, a coastline or city skyline spreads out like a map, and a short flight is enough to start the "look, that's our street" conversation. The honest downside is that flights depend on the weather, so a flexible day works better than a fixed one. It's a great idea for grandparents who want a thrill without much effort, since they sit rather than climb.
Hot Air Ballooning
Floating is quiet, apart from the occasional whoosh of the burner, and the ground slides by slowly. Flights usually leave around sunrise, so it's an early start, and mornings can be cool even in warm weather, so pack a jumper. Check the notes on the experience page about stepping in and out of the basket. Best for the adventurous grandparent who'd rather drift than speed.
River Cruises and Sailing
Sit, sip and watch the banks go by. A cruise gives grandma and grandpa scenery, a seat and a good excuse to chat for a couple of hours. Bring layers, because a breeze on the water can surprise you. It works well for the whole family, and it's one of the gentlest ways to get everyone on the same boat.
Gift Ideas for Grandparents Who Love Food and Drink
These food and drink gifts are good for grandparents who say yes to a meal faster than they say yes to anything else.
Wine Tastings and Vineyard Tours
Rows of vines, a cellar door and small glasses poured by someone who clearly loves their job. Tastings can involve a bit of standing, so look for a session with seating if that matters. It suits grandma or grandpa if they like to learn how things are made as much as they like to taste them.
High Tea Experiences
Tiered stands, scones and a proper pot of tea, with no one rushing you. The bonus is that it's easy to turn into a whole-family afternoon, from the youngest kids to the oldest generation. One tip: book it for a time they'd usually have a snack, so nobody is stuffed by lunch. Perfect for grandparents who'd rather talk than do anything strenuous.
Walking Food Tours
You wander from stop to stop, tasting as you go and hearing the stories behind each dish. It adds up to a full meal's worth of eating, so go in hungry. These tours involve a few hours on foot with pauses, so check the distance and pace on the experience page. They suit curious grandparents who like a bit of history with their lunch.
Fine Dining
A long, slow dinner with a menu you read twice and a table that's yours for the evening. If your grandparents are early birds, look for a lunch sitting rather than a late dinner. It's a great idea for an anniversary, or for any couple who'd like to be fussed over for a night.
Brewery Tours
For the grandparent who'd happily swap a wine list for a tasting paddle of beers. You'll usually see the tanks, hear how the brew gets made and finish with a few small pours. Pair it with a proper meal afterwards. It works nicely as an outing for grandpa and a grandchild old enough to enjoy the stories.
Gentle and Slow-Paced Experience Gifts
No heights, no hurry, and a fair bit of comfort.
Spa Days and Massage
Warm towels, low lighting and an hour when nobody asks them to do a thing. Mention any needs when booking, such as a sore back or a preference for a quiet room. Weekdays are often calmer than weekends. It's a thoughtful choice for the grandma or grandpa who looks after everyone else and rarely stops.
Art Classes
A table, a brush and a teacher who has seen every kind of beginner. The downside is a bit of paint on the sleeves, so pick the old cardigan. Whatever they make becomes a sentimental keepsake, and it's a lovely way of spending time with a grandchild. It suits grandparents who like a project and a chat.
Christmas experience gifts
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Theatre Shows
The lights dim, the room goes quiet and you share a story without having to say much. Matinees are a good pick if evenings tire them out. Check the seating and access notes on the experience page. It suits couples, or a grandparent and grandchild who both love the stage.
Guided Tours and Museum Visits
A good guide turns a gallery or old street into a story. Choose a tour that includes plenty of seats and pauses, and book a morning slot for fresher legs. It suits grandparents who love history, and kids who like asking "why?"
Outdoor Experience Gifts for Grandparents
For grandparents who are happiest when there's a bit of sky overhead.
Fishing
The plop of the line, a thermos of something warm and a long stretch of patience. Fishing trips often start early and the sun can be strong, so a hat and sunscreen are worth packing. It's a good fit for grandparents who like peace and quiet, and for kids who could use a little practice being still.
National Park Tours
A guide who knows where the lookouts are and what's making that noise in the trees. Bring water and a hat, and look for a shorter tour if the day is hot. It suits nature lovers who'd like to learn something without planning the route.
Wildlife Encounters
Seeing animals up close is a hit with every generation, and the kids will be talking about it for weeks. Ground can be uneven, so comfortable shoes help. It's a great pick for a family day out with grandma and grandpa in the middle.
Hiking Experiences
"Hiking" covers a lot, from a gentle stroll to a proper climb. Read the grade and distance carefully and choose one that matches their usual pace. It suits active grandparents who'd enjoy a guide, a path and good company.
Gifts the Whole Family Can Share
Some of the best gifts for grandparents are the ones that include you. If you can, go along, or turn the experience into a day with the kids, then have dinner together afterwards. Children tend to love spending time with their grandparents when there's something to do, and the grandparents get to be the star of the day.
You can also pool your money among family members. Agree on an amount, one of you buys the voucher and the others chip in, so every grandchild has a hand in the gift. A card from the kids, tucked in with the voucher, finishes it off nicely.
Can't Decide? Let Them Choose
If you can't settle on one idea, a Gifting Owl voucher lets grandma and grandpa pick their own experience gifts. You choose any amount, in your own currency, and they choose from 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries. Vouchers are valid for 3 years.
- The voucher arrives by email, sent straight away or scheduled for the date and time you choose. You can also send it to yourself to print and hand over.
- Add a personal message and pick a voucher design.
- Your grandparents book live on Gifting Owl, and one voucher can cover several experiences. Any balance stays on their account.
- Exchanges are free. If they pick something cheaper, the difference stays on the account. If it costs more, they pay the difference by card.
Each experience page shows its cancellation policy before booking, so they'll know where they stand.
Sending a Gift to Grandparents Far Away
Do your grandparents live in a different city, or a different country? Email delivery means distance doesn't matter. Schedule the voucher for Christmas morning and it lands in their inbox on time, whatever the time zone. They can pick an experience near them, or save it for a visit when the family is all together.
Making the Gift Feel Personal
A few small touches turn a nice Christmas gift into a meaningful one:
- Write a note. Say why you chose this, and what you hope the day will be like.
- Print it. If email isn't their thing, print the voucher and tuck it into a card.
- Book it together. Sit with them over a cup of tea and choose, then book it live on the site. You'll find out what they were hoping for.
- Say "I'm coming too". Often that's the sentence that matters most.
Pick One and Put a Date in the Diary
However you choose, the best gifts for grandparents tend to be the ones that mean time with you. Browse the full range of experiences or choose a voucher amount, and Christmas is sorted. Happy gifting!
