Last-minute digital gifts for grandparents that still feel personal
Updated
Good last-minute gifts for grandparents arrive by email but still feel personal: a printable card for something you'll do together, tickets or a class, a donation in their name, or something the grandkids make in an hour, like a video message or a list of questions to ask on the next call. Pair it with a call when they open it.
What makes a digital gift feel personal?
Two things: the grandkids are in it, and it starts something. A gift card for a shop says "we ran out of time". A printable card for a weekly activity with the grandkids, or a video of them explaining why they chose it, says "we thought about you".
Gifts that arrive by email today
- A weekly activity with the grandkids. Ours arrives as a printable gift card by email as soon as it's paid for, and you choose the day it starts.
- Tickets to a show, a concert or a game, with seats for the family.
- An online class they've mentioned wanting to try.
- An audiobook or e-book, with a note about why you picked it.
- A donation in their name, with a few words from each grandchild.
Things the grandkids can make in an hour
- A short video: each grandchild says one favorite memory with them.
- A drawing or a letter, photographed and emailed (and the original posted later).
- A "coupon book" of calls: one for a story, one for a recipe, one for a game.
- A list of questions they want to ask their grandparent, read out on the next call.
What if the grandparent isn't online much?
Print it. Most digital gifts can be printed as a card, and you can call while they open it. If someone in the family lives nearby, email it to them to hand over. Avoid anything that needs a new app, account or password: a link in an email is about as far as many grandparents want to go.
When should a digital gift start?
Not necessarily on the day. For holiday gifts, a start date in early January gives everyone something to look forward to once the decorations come down.