21 best gifts for grandma that are almost as lovely as she is

A gorgeous large throw is something she’s unlikely to buy for herself. And if you’ve noticed that her collection is looking a little drab, this wool blanket is bound to cheer up her living room. With five different colours to choose from – including green and yellow – there’s something for every interior and taste. As you’d expect, it’s soft and snuggly, and the perfect thing to hunker down with during the winter months and beyond. While this one may be a little more expensive than other designs out there, it’ll stand the test of time and be very well received.

If you’re shopping for a glam gran, consider getting her a luxe beauty product. This lip product has a balm-like texture and feels very moisturising, without being overly sticky – and it is a make-up bag must-have. The colourways are all lovely and offer a shiny finish. As for the packaging, it’s super chic so your grandma will undoubtedly enjoy applying it. Be warned though, you’ll likely want one for yourself – so why not treat yourself?

Use discount code “CBAFF15” for 15 per cent off the best gifts for grandma at Cult Beauty

If your grandmother is a traditional cook who has never so much as looked at a microwave or an air fryer in her life, this cookbook is likely to resonate with her. Rich with the voices and recipes of Greece’s yiayiades (grandmothers), this book emphasises the use of seasonal ingredients and taking time to enjoy the process of cooking as much as eating.

From well-known fare such as tzatziki and stuffed vine leaves to little-known delights such as zorka pie, the book travels across Greece, meeting the country’s matriarchs along the way and giving us a snapshot inside their kitchens. While we enjoyed poring over the recipes, we were just as enthralled by the yiayiades’ life stories, as each dish included in the book comes with a side of history, with the women detailing what life was like growing up in Greece throughout the war years and beyond.

For more recommendations, read our review of the best cookbooks

A fun photo frame that showcases a picture of her and her grandchildren will make for a lovely and sentimental gift that doesn’t cost a fortune. Enter Bertola Home Studio, the brand specialises in handmade homeware, and it’s a great destination to know for every type of giftee (including yourself). This frame offers a great alternative to standard options and is unlikely to be like anything she already has on display. There are plenty of different sizes, as well as colour choices, so you can choose something to fit her current decor. We tested the powder blue and found that it added a lovely pop of colour against our walls. Plus, bobbin designs are very on trend.

When it comes to staying warm, a cosy pair of slippers is a must and this pair is basically a hug for your feet. Made with the brand’s signature sheepskin lining, Ugg’s Tasman slip-ons will keep your grandma’s toes toasty in crisp weather. They needn’t be reserved for indoor pursuits alone, the chunky rubber sole, which is surprisingly lightweight, means they’re also great for outdoor errands. Impossibly soft, they fit snugly and are a great option for fashion-conscious nans who still want to embrace old-school comfort.

If your grandma loves books and wine, the Words With Wine subscription box is a no-brainer gift. You can either opt for a three-, six- or 12-month subscription, but there’s also the option for an ongoing or one-off delivery. Each box contains a new book (usually fiction) and a full-sized bottle of vino that’s specially chosen to complement it.

The packaging is lovely and there’s a nice amount of information about the book and the author, as well as tasting notes and food pairing suggestions for your wine. A great way to discover a new favourite writer or genre while relaxing with a glass of plonk, there’s also the option for non-alcoholic wine and membership to an exclusive online book club to chat about the tome. Our tester received the gripping science fiction thriller, Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin, accompanied by a refreshing cuvee membliarus white wine from Chateau Oumsiyat – equating to the perfect evening in.

A gift of the leafy kind that the recipient can display and appreciate every day is a good one in our books – even better if they don’t need green fingers to keep their new houseplant happy and healthy. Endearingly named Lizzie by Patch Plants, this marble queen pothos plant has been dubbed unkillable, as she can withstand fairly sporadic watering – which should protect her from the perils of absent-minded waterers – and she doesn’t need specific lighting to survive. Set apart by her pretty green and white patterned leaves, she looks very lush perched on our dresser in her clay pot, which is sold separately. Prices do vary, but there are several pot designs you can add to your purchase, from a glossy blue design to pots for hanging.

We love the timeless elegance of this Art Deco-style vase. Whether used to display dried stems or fresh blooms (or just as a decorative item in its own right), the pink shell design makes a real statement. It measures 20cm x 17cm, so this vase would add a little extra glamour to any dressing table or sideboard. Whether the grandma figure in your life has traditional or contemporary tastes, we think this frosted glass vase will work with a range of decor styles, making it ideal for gifting.

Who knew tissue boxes could be made to look so chic? Sitting perfectly on top of any standard UK rectangular tissue box, Alice Palmer’s range of signature Tangier covers come in six finishes (we love the olive, denim and rhubarb best) and are characterised by the brand’s signature striped print, cotton fabric and contrast embroidered trim. Whether placed on their bedside table or livening up a cabinet, Alice Palmer’s range of tissue box covers is the interior accessory they never knew they needed.

If they love to cook, a gift doesn’t get much more decadent than kitchenware from Le Creuset. A staple for meal prep, serving and hosting, the French brand’s salt and pepper shakers are a functional yet fashionable offering – they come in 14 finishes for every taste while the hardened ceramic outer is robust and corrosion-resistant. While they are sold separately, we think they’re best gifted together. Even better, nifty features like the fully adjustable grinder mean they can go as fine or as coarse as they like. Built to last and classically stylish, your grandma will get her use of them long beyond Christmas.

For a timeless piece of jewellery that’s sure to let your grandma know just how much she means to you, consider this elegant bracelet from Aspinal of London. Made with an enamel panel inlay, which is available in four different colours – ivory, black, navy and burgundy – it features a shiny gold trim and the brand’s signature plaque as a centrepiece. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, it’s a great gift for a loved one who’ll never want to take it off.

This beautifully scented cleanser is softening and soothing, and it comes complete with a silk cloth for application too. Our tester immediately noticed the fresh, floral fragrance featuring notes of rose, jasmine and neroli and appreciated its uplifting essential oil aroma. The formula is comforting on the skin and feels both hydrating and conditioning, with key ingredients including silk peptides, cocoa butter, vitamin B5 and probiotics. It’s intensely moisturising and offers a nourishing boost to dry or mature skin, making it a wonderful gift for skincare-loving grandmas. It’s from an IndyBest tried and tested brand too, as This Is Silk was named best overall in our best silk pillowcases review round-up.

For more recommendations, read our review of the best cleansers

If you know she feels the cold throughout the winter, what could be better than a heated cushion? The ploov cushion from Stoov looks and feels like a cushion but uses infrared technology to heat itself up on one side. There are three heat settings which are easy to switch between with just one button, making it much more convenient than a hot water bottle when it comes to finding a temperature you will feel most comfortable with.

Depending on which battery you choose there are up to nine hours of heat packed into one charge (it will cost £119.99 for a ploov with a nine-hour battery). The pillow is wireless, which is really handy when your grandma wants to take it to bed, or indeed anywhere she chooses. There are plenty of fabric options, including velvet, knitted and woolly, plus there are endless colourways to suit her indoor decor.

Dining al fresco on hard garden furniture will be far more comfortable on this seat pad from Sarah K. Adorned with a green, white and pink floral motif across a lovely blue backdrop, the elegant ruffle trim awards a timeless, vintage feel which we think will be very much enjoyed by fans of traditional decor.

The cover also comes in a green hue should you think the blue colourway won’t be to her tastes. Tucked securely inside the cover there’s a spongy polyester seat pad insert which comes included, not only providing a more welcoming place to sit at the table but a little extra height too. Also, a cinch practically speaking, simply untie the fastenings to remove the cover when it needs a cycle in the washing machine.

When a handbag is too hefty and a clutch bag is too impractical, a crossbody bag is a solution as chic as it is convenient. This is certainly true for Jigsaw’s Ivy crossbody pouch.

We found the pouch lightweight and built to last, crafted from a rich dark brown leather and finished with minimal gold hardware and detailing. It was roomy enough to fit our mid-sized purse, a set of keys and a couple of lip products with no issues whatsoever. The zip is easy to grab thanks to the long strip attached – although this does sometimes need to be re-adjusted to lie flat. Should you be buying for someone who doesn’t shy away from brighter colours, there’s a punchy blue version as well as a white colourway.

Don’t we all crave something loose and comfy and while we have suitable loungewear for home, sometimes we want those comforts when travelling or visiting friends. Who says grandmas can’t be fashionable? And this stylish jumpsuit from The White Company is a nod to the popular athleisure craze. It is made from a cotton modal blend and offers just the right relaxed fit with a sleeveless design. It also features a flattering scoop neck with a wide-leg silhouette, and there’s a keyhole back with button fastening.

Don’t be fooled by this Roberts radio’s petite size. Despite fitting into the palm of your hand, the nifty speaker delivers impressive sound and versatile functionality. As well as tuning into DAB or FM radio, your grandma can stream their own music through Bluetooth or connect their device with an Aux cable. Boasting superb battery life with a single charge, the portable design means it can be moved from room to room.

Designed in a Fifties-style aesthetic, the worn-in leather casing is teamed with a classic rotary dial and adjustable dimmer screen. Better still, the mini radio comes in a choice of eight finishes for every taste, from sleek damson red to maximalist sunburst yellow.

Vionic starling mule: £130,These buttery-soft leather mules are available in camel and black, and feature a chic pointed toe and gold-chain detail. Our tester has been wearing the luxurious slip-on shoes non-stop recently, as they double up as both a casual and smart option. The cushioned soles offer comfort and support, whether she’s relaxing at home or heading out to meet friends. As well as being flexible enough to adapt to movement, the mules have a sturdy composition and rubber outsole for regular wear. All in all, they make for a stylish yet practical present. Plus, Vionic has featured in several IndyBest review pieces, including our best summer shoes guide and best orthopaedic and supportive shoes round-up.

One for the bakers out there, Jamie Oliver’s just launched a whole new range of Tefal-made carbon steel bakeware, including tart tins (£15.40, Johnlewis.com), round springform cake tins (£18.20, Johnlewis.com), baking tray (£14, Johnlewis.com), carbon steel baking sheet (£16.10, Johnlewis.com) and a 12-muffin tin (£19.60, Johnlewis.com). We used Jamie Oliver’s baking tray to make some tasty gluten-free oat and raisin cookies (recipe provided by Oliver himself). And they turned out delicious. The non-stick tin stopped the cookies from sticking to the tray, and we found them both sturdy and easy to wash up. Though Tefal recommends you wash the trays by hand, we tossed them in the dishwasher afterwards and didn’t have any issues. 

If your grandma is a pup parent, Barbour’s Fair Isle dog jumper is the ultimate gift. Ensuring their pup is the best dressed on every walk, the riff on the classic Scottish Fair Isle style is finished with an insulating roll neck.

The ribbed knit throughout ensures pooches stay toasty, while the print is available in either olive green or an even more festive cranberry, in sizes small to large. Lightweight and cosy, the jumper is elevated by the embossed Barbour branded badge on the neck.

If your grandma is a keen traveller, a lightweight case is an essential. Sleek, stylish and practical, Away’s cases are built to last, with a durable polycarbonate hard shell. Perfect for longer trips, the larger carry-on is suitable for most airline’s overhead lockers and is complete with a laundry bag and two inner compartments that make packing and unpacking a lot eaier. A TSA combination lock keeps your belongings safe, while 360-degree wheels ensure a smooth ride. Available in myriad colourways, it’s a thoughtful gift for grandma’s on-the-go.