First-time grandparents get two kinds of gifts: something that marks the news, and something that helps them in their new role. Most of the ideas below are inexpensive. The bigger costs are a digital photo frame or baby gear for their home, and the gear is only worth buying if they’ll be looking after the baby.
Announcement gifts
If the parents are telling the grandparents-to-be in person, a small gift can carry the news.
- A card or mug that says it. “Promoted to grandma” or “Grandpa, est. 2027” lets them read the news rather than hear it.
- A copy of the ultrasound photo in a small frame, if the parents are happy to share it.
- A book for grandparents-to-be. A guidebook or a light-hearted book about becoming a grandparent, with the news written inside the cover.
- A blank calendar page for the due month with the date circled.
Talk to both partners before planning an announcement. Some couples want to tell each side of the family at the same time.
Gifts after the baby arrives
Little or no cost
- The first photo, framed. A print of the grandparent holding the baby for the first time, in a simple frame. Write the date and the baby’s name on the back.
- A letter from the parents. A page about why you’re glad they’re the baby’s grandparent and what you hope they’ll do together.
- A standing invitation. For grandparents who live nearby, a card with a regular visit day. For those far away, a video call time each week.
Modest
- A keepsake with the year. A mug, ornament, keychain or tote marked with “est.” and the baby’s birth year, or the baby’s name and birth date.
- A grandparent journal. A guided journal with prompts about their own life and their hopes for the grandchild, written for the child to read later. Pick one with prompts that suit them.
- A small photo album they can carry to show friends.
Bigger budget
- A digital photo frame the parents can send photos to, which suits grandparents who live far away. Our grandparent gift guide has current prices.
If they’ll be babysitting
- A car seat for their car, if they’ll be driving the baby. Let the parents choose the model.
- A travel crib or play yard for naps at their house.
- A high chair or booster seat later in the first year.
Ask the parents before buying any of these. They may have strong views on brands, safety and sleep.
A first-year record, if someone wants to keep one
Some grandparents like to keep a record of the baby’s first year from their side: visits, firsts they saw, things the baby did at their house. A simple version is one page a month in a notebook, with a photo and a few lines. Months can be skipped.
If you’re giving this as a gift, start the notebook for them with the first photo and a note on the first page. The memory book guide has other formats if they want to make it into a book later.
If they’d like to record their own childhood memories for the grandchild, our questions for grandparents are a place to start.
Keep the parents in charge
Photos of the baby, and where they’re posted, are the parents’ call. Ask before printing or sharing any photo outside the family, and before adding the baby’s full name and birth date to anything that will be displayed in public. For other occasions, see our grandparent gift ideas.