Personalized Christmas gifts for Grandma, from the grandkids

Grandma already has the scarf, the candle and the mug. What she keeps is anything with her people on it: the grandchildren's names, their photos, the family name she gave everyone. These are the Christmas gifts we make for grandmothers in our workshop, what to write on each one, and when to order so it arrives in time.

The short answer

For one gift from all the grandkids, choose a crossword frame with every grandchild's name in it. For a gift she keeps adding to, choose a photo book. If Christmas happens at her house, give her a book for the table that says so on the cover. In the US, order by December 10.

Every grandchild's name: a crossword frame

The crossword family name frame for Grandma sets every name as laser-cut letter tiles, placed by hand so the names cross each other like a crossword. It sits in an 11 × 11 in (28 cm) shadow-box frame with a clear acrylic front, and you choose Black, Walnut or White for the frame and one of five backgrounds.

In the builder you pick up to 5, 10 or 20 names, then a title and a subtitle, for example "Grandma's Crew" and "Loved beyond words". Each name is a single word. Gift wrapping is free: every frame arrives wrapped and ready to give. Frames start at $79.

Want to see how the names will cross before you order? Try them in our free family name crossword generator, or read how to lay out a family name crossword.

A photo album she fills all year

The Grandma's Favorite Memories photo book has an oval wreath of botanicals and small berries engraved on its wooden cover around "Grandma's Favorite Memories". Below it goes her name, such as "NANA ROSE", and a bottom line that reads "LOVE GROWS HERE" unless you type your own words, or "No" to leave it out. Inside, blank pages take instant photos of the grandchildren and a note from each of them.

Give it already started, with one photo and a line from every grandchild on the first pages and the rest left for the year ahead. It comes in Small (8.65 × 6 in) and Large (12.15 × 8.6 in), with a Jacobean, Hazelnut or Natural cover, from $44.99. Our guide to which instant photos fit helps you pick the size.

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's: a book for the table

If the family gathers at her house, the Winter Cottage Christmas photo memory book is made for it. A snowy cottage and two evergreens are engraved on the cover with three lines you write yourself: a heading such as "Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa's", a family name such as "The Harris Family" and a year line such as "est. 1985".

Leave it by the tree with an instant camera, and everyone who comes through the door adds a photo and a note. Next December it comes out again. Our guide to filling a Christmas photo book at the table has prompts for the youngest and the oldest guests.

Her family's name on the wall

A family name sign with the year she and Grandpa married turns the name everyone shares into something she sees every day. The framed family name sign carries the last name in raised black script with a line such as "Est. 1968" beneath it. The family established sign adds both their first names with a small raised heart between them and the full wedding date. Signs start at $79 in two sizes; more styles and wording ideas are in our family name signs.

For a new grandma: baby's first Christmas

The first Christmas with a grandchild is the one she will talk about for years. The Baby's First Christmas photo memory book has a hanging ornament with a rocking horse inside, engraved under "Baby's First Christmas", with the baby's name and the year below. Give it to Grandma with the first photos already in: the first stocking, the first tree, and Grandma holding the baby.

Gifts from adult grandchildren

Grown grandchildren often want a gift about Grandma herself, not only about them. A custom song record engraves the lyrics of one song in a spiral across a wooden record: the song from her wedding, or the one she sang in the kitchen. The center takes a header of your choice, a date and the artist and song. You name the song and we look up the lyrics. The QR code version plays the song when you scan it. Records start at $59.

Grandpa too

Most of these work for both of them. Put both their names in the crossword title, both first names on the family established sign, or their wedding song on the record. For more ideas, see all our gifts for grandparents.

When to order

Every piece is made to order in 1–3 business days and ships free with FedEx or UPS express, arriving in about 3–4 business days. For delivery before Christmas, order by December 10 in the US, or by December 7 for Canada, the UK and the EU. A proof adds about a day, plus up to 48 hours if you take the full window to reply, so if you want one, order a few days earlier.

Need it sooner? Choose Rush order & express shipping at checkout. We make your order in 1 business day and ship it express the next business day; delivery then takes 2–3 business days. Delivery dates are the carrier's estimates. We can't be responsible for carrier delays.

Questions

How many grandchildren fit on the crossword frame?

Up to 20 names. You choose up to 5, 10 or 20 in the builder, and that choice sets the price. Longer names get slightly smaller tiles so the layout stays clean.

Can the photo book say Nana instead of Grandma?

"Grandma's Favorite Memories" is part of the design, but the name line is yours: "NANA ROSE", "MIMI" or "GRANDMA JO". We engrave exactly what you type.

Can you send it straight to Grandma?

Yes. Add a gift message at checkout, and we put it on a card and leave the prices out of the package.

Can I see the design before you make it?

Yes. Ask for a free digital proof and we email it within a business day. You have 48 hours to approve it or ask for changes; if we don't hear back, we go ahead with the proof you saw so your order keeps moving.

What do you get a grandma who has everything?

Something with the family in it. She may have every kitchen gadget, but she rarely has all her grandchildren's names in one frame, like our family name crossword, or a book of this year's photos with her own name on the cover, like Grandma's Favorite Memories. Both stay out long after the decorations are packed away.

Can all the grandchildren give one gift together?

Yes, and the crossword frame suits it best: every grandchild's name goes into one grid, up to 20 names. With a photo book, pass it around before Christmas so each grandchild fills a page, then give it full.

Gifts for grandparents · All Christmas gifts · Crossword frames

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