As a grandparent, you want your new baby gift to go further than a babygrow. Something meaningful, something that lasts, and ideally something that keeps you involved in this little person’s life, even if you don’t live round the corner. In this article you’ll find gifts that fit the bill, from keepsakes to a shared diary you can enjoy every week.
What makes a new baby gift from grandparents special
Parents receive mountains of clothes and cuddly toys. From grandparents, people often expect something different: a present with more weight to it, emotionally or practically. That’s why grandparents more often choose something lasting, such as a piece of jewellery, a savings account or a photo book. Or something that makes them part of their grandchild’s story themselves. That last one is priceless if you live far away.
New baby gift ideas from grandparents
1. A shared children’s diary: following along from afar
The best gift for an involved grandparent is one you keep enjoying yourself. With an app like Ouderliefde you give the parents a digital children’s diary, and as a grandparent you follow along on the timeline: every new photo, every milestone, every funny moment. No more loose messages that get lost, because everything is organised in one private place, with no adverts. You give the parents peace of mind and stay connected to your grandchild yourself, even if you live further away. Also read how grandparents can receive photos and follow along.
2. Jewellery with the date of birth or name
A classic grandparent gift: a charm, ring or necklace with the name and date of birth. Something the child can keep later as a reminder of their birth.
3. A savings account or a first deposit
The least romantic idea on this list, and at the same time the most forward-looking. A starting sum in a savings account for university, a first home or simply "for later".
4. A reading ritual: books plus a promise to read aloud
Give a set of beautiful picture books along with the promise that you’ll read to your grandchild regularly, in person or over a video call. That way you tie a gift to time together, the most precious thing there is.
5. A handprint kit or birth tile
A lasting print of those tiny hands and feet, or a hand-painted birth tile. Tangible and personal.
6. A ‘letter for later’ from the grandparents
Write a letter to your grandchild yourself, to be opened on a birthday further down the line. Parents can also keep a letter like that in Ouderliefde as a digital time capsule: your words, only readable once the child is grown up. Few gifts are as personal.
7. The gift of practical help
Sometimes the best gift is your time: bringing round a meal, babysitting for an afternoon so the parents can catch up on sleep, or doing the washing. For brand-new parents, that’s priceless.
Stay connected to your grandchild
Give the parents a digital children’s diary with Ouderliefde, and follow along on the timeline as a grandparent. Every photo and milestone in one private place, with no adverts. A gift voucher takes a minute to arrange.
See the gift →A gift for grandparents who live far away
Do you live further away, in another part of the country or even abroad? Then following along from a distance is all the more valuable. A shared diary means you miss nothing between visits. You see your grandchild grow up, even when you can’t be there every week. And when you do visit, you know exactly what’s been going on.
How much grandparents usually spend on a new baby gift
Grandparents are often expected to make a slightly bigger gesture than friends or acquaintances. Think €50 up to a few hundred euros, depending on what you want to give and can afford. Here too, the thought and the involvement count for more than the price tag. A shared diary you can follow for years costs little and gives endlessly.
Looking for more ideas? Also read our complete guide to a baby diary as a new baby gift and 10 original new baby gift ideas.