Gifts for Expectant Grandparents – The Ultimate Gift Guide
Are you ready for the ultimate collection of gifts for expectant grandparents? Parents aren’t the only ones welcoming a new baby into the family. Grandparents are often the backup parents. They live on call for late-night parenting questions and wait eagerly for babysitting opportunities. They show off every baby photo they can get their hands on and need a lot of the same baby supplies that new parents are gifted at showers.
If you want to gift the expectant grandparents in your life with something special but don’t know how to pick it out, this guide has you covered. I’ll share all of my favorite grandparent gift ideas plus some that I recently learned about for the first time. The guide includes gifts suitable for grandparents near and far, so there’s something for everyone.
The perfect gift for the dedicated grandparents you love is hidden on this list somewhere. Let’s find it!
Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
What Do First-Time Grandparents Need?
There’s a short but unsatisfying answer to this question: Everything a baby needs that they don’t already have in the house.
The longer and more satisfying answer is that it depends on how often the new baby is expected to visit grandma and grandpa. Grandparents who live hours away aren’t likely to have as many extended stays and overnight visits as those who live a short distance from the parents.
If you’re thinking about grandparents who hope to spend a lot of time with the new baby and look forward to babysitting, the list of what they need is similar to what new parents will need. This quick list will get your shopping list started:
Basic Care Supplies – diapers, wipes, burp clothes, bottles, clothing, etc.
Sleeping Space – full or portable crib like the Graco Pack ‘n Play Travel Dome XL Playard
Stroller – lightweight, portable like the Honey Joy Lightweight Stroller
Car Seat – compact and convertible like the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible
Baby Swing or Bouncer – something like the Nova Baby Swing or MamaRoo
All of these items make excellent gifts for expectant parents. Modern baby swings may seem like unnecessary conveniences to grandparents who raised their children without such luxuries. That makes that item an excellent gift for grandparents because they’re less likely to buy it for themselves.
Practical Gifts for New Grandparents
All the gift ideas shared above will qualify as practical gifts for grandparents. I just want to offer up a few more ideas that go beyond the everyday essentials. These are smaller, more affordable item that many expectant grandparents will find use for at least occasionally.
Video Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is an excellent gift for new or expecting grandparents because it’s an item many grandparents may see as optional. They’re less likely to buy items that they didn’t have access to when they were raising their own children. That gives you the perfect opportunity to show them why they need it!
We like the Vtech Upgraded Smart Baby Wi-Fi monitor because it allows grandparents to watch the baby from the included monitor or a smartphone. It comes with a small, simple camera and isn’t too difficult to set up or operate. With a bit of help, most grandparents can figure out how to get this baby monitor working.
Why We Like It:
- Allows grandparents to rest when the baby rests
- Grandparents can check on the baby without getting up
- Simple design that isn’t too difficult to use
The First Years American Red Cross Baby Humidifier
Humidifiers are excellent additions to the baby’s bedroom or any area where the little one rests. Adding moisture to the air ensures the nasal passages remain moist and healthy. Grandparents may also need this tool when they’re babysitting a sick baby. It also helps if the air is dry due to the climate or the HVAC system.
This humidifier was designed for babies with guidance from the American Red Cross. It has a simple design that’s easy to fill and clean, making it a great pick for the grandparent’s house.
Why We Like It:
- Lightweight and easy to fill
- Not difficult to clean out
- Simple operations even for those not mechanically inclined
Book- Your First Grandchild
This is a fun survival guide for first-time grandparents that takes a humorous approach. It features fun pictures and cartoons, so grandparents shouldn’t take it as a gift that tells them how to raise children. They already know how to do that, right?
What this book does include is a section on emotions that will help many grandparents. Let’s face it, emotions were treated far differently when our grandparents were young than they are today. A modern touch on that topic is insightful for many new grandparents today.
Why We Like It:
- Lighthearted and fun
- Touches on emotional issues
- Filled with practical tips for grandparents
Facebook Portal
This is a great gift for expectant grandparents who live too far to visit the new baby often. Facebook Portal makes it easy to call loved ones for a video chat, using nothing more than the Portal and a Facebook Messenger account. It also connects through WhatsApp or Zoom.
Facebook Portal allows grandparents to peek in on the new baby at any time without leaving their own home. It’s available in a portable version that’s easy to move around the home or 10-inch and 14-inch screens.
Why We Like It:
- Keeps families connected
- Easy for many grandparents to use
- Multiple screen sizes available
American Red Cross Deluxe Health and Grooming Kit
Grandparents are likely to think of diapers, wipes, and burp rags. What may slip their mind are the small things that you only need on occasion for grooming and healthcare. That’s where this small plastic bag filled with tools from the American Red Cross comes into the picture.
This practical grandparent’s gift includes everything from a medicine dropper and spoon to nasal aspirator and digital thermometer. There are 12 pieces altogether, and they fit easily into the bag for easy storage.
Why We Like It:
- Includes about everything needed to keep a newborn healthy
- Practical tools that grandparents will use regularly
- Comes with a storage bag for organization
It’s a swap! Here are some fun gifts for grandma from baby!
Funny Gifts for First-Time Grandparents
Why take everything related to parenting and grandparenting so serious? I have some gift suggestions that will help you lighten up and put a smile on their faces now or in the future.
Grandmasaurus Tumbler
This is a hilarious gift tumbler that reads, “Don’t Mess with Grandmasaurus You’ll Get Jurasskicked.” The vinyl design features a dinosaur in a circle with a pop of color surrounding the word “Grandmasaurus.” It’s a stainless-steel tumbler that grandma can actually use, so it’s more than a keepsake she will want to cherish forever. The cup comes with a lid and is suitable for a variety of drinks.
Why We Like It:
- High-quality, stainless-steel tumbler
- Unique slogan
- Practical gift with a dash of humor
This tumbler comes with a gift box, so it’s easy to wrap for gifting.
Funny New Grandma and Grandpa Mugs
These gold and marble ceramic mugs are beautiful to look at, but they’re also humorous. One cup reads, “You’ve officially been promoted from dog grandma to human grandma.” The second cup is the same, except it’s for grandpa instead of grandma. One is pink and one is silver and white, but they both have a marbleized appearance that goes beyond your basic white coffee mug.
These mugs are intended as keepsakes, so they’re not suitable for the dishwasher. The grandparents can put them up instead of using them if they want to ensure the unique appearance is preserved for years to come. They would also make great collection cups for small trinkets collected as the baby grows.
Why We Like It:
- The sayings are hilarious for current dog grandparents
- The decorative cups are beautiful
- Serves as a keepsake for the expectant grandparents
Funny Onesies
This pack of three adorable bodysuits is guaranteed to put a smile on grandma and grandpa’s face. The set includes a black bodysuit that reads, “Grandpa’s Partner in Crime” and a solid gray bodysuit that reads, “No Means Ask Grandma.” The third bodysuit is white with adorable bears all over.
This set can serve as the first onesies in the grandparent’s collection. It’s also a humorous gift that you can give any time before or after the baby is born. Sizes range from newborn up to 24 months.
Why We Like It:
- Practical gift with a touch of humor
- Neutral colors could work for a boy or girl
- Affordable grandparent’s gift
- Suitable for grandparents near or far
Thoughtful Gifts for Grandparents
If you’re looking for expectant grandparent gifts that are more on the thoughtful side, I highly recommend the following options.
Pregnancy Announcement for Grandparents Coffee Mugs
The first expectant grandparent gift is often the biggest surprise. This grandparent gift set is designed to serve as a pregnancy announcement, but you could easily send it after the announcements have been made. It’s also a great gift to give the grandparents at the baby shower so that they’re not left out of the fun.
The set includes a newborn sized onesie that said “Coming…Soon” with a heart plus two coffee mugs. The mugs read, “Promoted to Grandma” and “promoted to Grandpa.” The onesie can serve as the first baby outfit collected by the expected grandparents, and the mugs are a thoughtful gift that they will cherish for years to come.
Why We Like It:
- Combines a thoughtful gift idea with a practical gift
- Works as an announcement or standard gift
- Includes a little something for the baby to wear
The Only Thing Better… Grandparent Photo Frame Gift
Wood photo frames are great picks for grandparents because they’re lightweight yet extremely durable and difficult to break. I love this handmade wooden gift frame because it’s designed to hold a 4×6 ultrasound photo. It reads, “The only thing better than having you as PARENTS is our baby having you as GRANDPARENTS.”
You can hang this photo frame on the wall or stand it up on a table. It’s a unique keepsake that could also serve as a pregnancy announcement if delivered at the right time.
Why We Like It:
- Adorable design
- Unique keepsake
- Suitable for all grandparents
What Do You Get New Grandparents for Christmas?
The new grandparents may already have basic items like the crib and changing station covered when Christmas rolls around—or perhaps they haven’t even started thinking about where the baby will fit in their home. You may still want to slip something under the tree that gets them excited about the baby to come or the most recent arrival.
You know I’m going to give you my recommendations, right? Here they are.
Grandchildren Shadow Box Kit
Shadowboxes are excellent gift ideas because they hang on the wall and serve as keepsakes that are easily handed down through the generations. This shadowbox was designed specifically for grandparents and features a tree with small hearts that hang on the branches. Each heart is personalized with the name of a grandchild. The word “Grandchildren” is etched beside the tree.
This is one of the most affordable Christmas gifts you’ll find for grandparents today. For the first-time grandparent, it’s even more special. You can add one heart with the new baby’s name and continue adding to the tree as new grand babies enter the family.
Why We Like It:
- Add new hearts with each new grandchild
- Cute wall hanging that doesn’t take up tabletop space
- Simple to put together
- Affordable gift idea
Digital Picture Frames
New grandparents are going to have a lot of new pictures that they want to show off. That makes a digital picture frame one of the best Christmas gifts for new grandparents. They can load pictures from a smartphone or digital camera and allow them to share for all to see from any tabletop in the home. It’s easy to update these frames with the newest pictures as the grandbaby grows.
This is a great Christmas gift idea if the grandparents in your life can learn how to take and store digital pictures in the frame. Or, if you’re so inclined, you can download the app and upload photos to the digital picture frame too!
Why We Like It:
- Grandparents can update the pictures anytime they want
- It’s a splurge that many grandparents won’t make on their own
- Great option for the grandparents who already seem to have it all
- One of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2021
Christmas Gifts for First-Time Grandparents
If the expectant grandparents are first-timers, I recommend sliding some of the following gifts under the Christmas tree.
Bath Kneeler and Elbow Kneeling Rest Pad Set
Bath time is often one of the most difficult times for grandparents who are starting to have some aches, pains, and creaky joints. You can make it a bit easier by giving the first-time grandparents in your life a set of kneeling pads designed just for the bathtub.
We like the set from Benicci because it comes with a thick kneeling cushion that goes on the floor beside the tub plus a pad that sits on the side of the tub for resting the elbows. The bathtub pads have two built-in net pockets to hold bath time toys when they aren’t in use. The pads are thick enough to support and comfort the knees and elbows and will withstand a lot of baths without tearing up.
What We Like:
- Helps organize bath time toys
- Will help grandparents for years to come
- Thoughtful gift that grandparents may not think of themselves
Blooming Bath Lotus
This adorable flower is pretty enough to make an impression on grandma just sitting on the table, but it serves a far more important purpose. It sits in the kitchen sink to provide a safe, cozy seat for the new baby during bath time. It allows grandparents to bathe the little one without kneeling beside the tub and may remind them of how they washed their own children in the sink.
Why We Like It:
- Comes in 6 colorful designs
- Practical gift all grandparents will appreciate
- Keep babies safe during sink baths
Related post: Gift Ideas for Mom
Gifts for Expectant Grandmothers
Grandmas are special, and they deserve special gifts. Some of my favorites are listed below, plus a couple that I recently learned about myself. Show that grandma how much she’s needed in the new baby’s life.
Grandmother’s Journal: Memories and Keepsakes for My Grandchild
This fill-in journal guides your expectant grandma through her days of child-rearing. It starts with prompts to spark memories of raising her own children and then moves into prompts for special memories built with her grandchildren. When the book is complete, it’s a keepsake that she can pass down to her grandchildren.
Why We Like It:
- Sentimental gift idea
- Turns into a keepsake for the grand baby
- Affordable gift for expectant grandmothers
Promoted to Grandma 2022 T-Shirt
This simple t-shirt memorializes the year that you made your mother a grandma. The t-shirt is cut to fit most women’s figures with a soft polyester and cotton blend material. It’s safe for the washing machine and comes in a neutral color that any grandma will appreciate.
The t-shirt reads, “Promoted to Grandma, Est. 2022.” You can search Amazon for shirts with any year if your grandma was initiated in a different year.
Why We Like It:
- Sizes go up to 3X
- Machine washable
- Simple design
Grandma’s Sippy Cup Funny Stemless Wine Glass
This is a simple wine glass enhanced with the following statement in vinyl: Grandma’s Sippy Cup. It features a decorative heart and a fun font that brings some personality into the glass. It’s the perfect gift to bring a smile to an expectant grandma’s face and could even serve as a humorous baby announcement for that special grandma-to-be.
Why We Like It:
- Simple gift that makes a big statement
- Adds some humor to grandma’s life
- Speaks to the personality of some grandmas
Do You Need a Gift Registry for Expectant Grandparents?
Gift registries are often used by expectant parents to inform loved ones what they need and want. There’s no reason you can’t set up a registry for the expectant grandparents as well. Creating an Amazon’s baby registry is a fast process that allows you to add a variety of gift ideas and then spread the word to anyone who may want to contribute a gift.
You can even open group gifting through Amazon’s registry. That feature allows multiple people to contribute to the purchase of a more expensive gift. It’s an easy way to coordinate with your loved ones to get the expectant grandparents high-ticket baby essentials like cribs, strollers, and bassinets. It’s a transparent process that allows everyone to see how much they contributed with the money going to a reputable source.
More gift ideas: Gift Baskets for Expectant Grandparents
Wrap up- Gifts for Expectant Grandparents
Shopping for expectant grandparent gifts is a lot of fun. If the grandparents in your life already seem to have every baby item they need, hopefully this guide helped you find something that they don’t yet know they need. Sometimes, the best gifts are complete surprises.
Check out these ideas for gifts for daughter having her first baby!