10 Simple DIY Grandparents’ Day Gift Ideas

September will soon be upon us! While most of us probably associate the ninth month with Labor Day, there’s another equally important holiday. Grandparents’ Day, of course! Celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, this holiday is the perfect way to show your appreciation for your grandparents. This year, Grandparents’ Day falls on September 7th, so you still have plenty of time to pick up a gift or two for the special grands in your life! Here are 10 Grandparents’ Day Gift ideas just for you!

1. A coupon book

These days, we could all use a little discount. If your grandparents are thrifty seniors, then we have the perfect gift idea for you. A coupon book! While you can always buy a pre-made coupon book from SaveAround, you can also channel your own thrifty senior and make one yourself! All you need to do is print coupons from online or cut them out of your local newspaper! You can always purchase plastic binder dividers, like these, from Amazon. If you want to get extra creative, mix real coupons with fun, hand-made ones! You can use these templates from Canva to create coupons for free hugs, a movie night, an ice cream date, or whatever else you can think of!

2. A heartfelt letter

We’ve all heard the saying, “The best things in life are free.” And that’s true when it comes to gifts. Sometimes, handmade presents that didn’t cost a dime mean so much more than a fancy, store-bought (or Amazon-bought!) gift. This Grandparents’ Day, sit down at your desk and write a letter. Tell your grandparent how much they mean to you. Write down your favorite memories, traditions, or anything else you can think of. Don’t be afraid to get sappy! Holidays are the perfect time to really tap into your feelings and let others know how much they mean to you.

3. Cookies

Crumbl Cookies are all the rage these days, but nothing quite beats a homemade cookie. I’m quite sure that your grandparents, like ours, love baked goods. Instead of rushing out to get store-bought cookies from your local bakery, whip out an apron and a mixing bowl and bake a batch of cookies at home! It doesn’t have to be a complicated recipe. After all, chocolate chip cookies are widely regarded as the most popular kind, and they’re rather simple! If you aren’t sure what recipe to use, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few simple cookie recipes you can try out this Grandparents’ Day:

• Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie – I Heart Eating
• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies – Love and Lemons
• 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies – Bellyfull
• Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies – Celebrating Sweets
• Taylor Swift’s Chai Latte Cookies – Joy the Baker
• 4-Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies – Pastry & Beyond
• Grandma’s Lavender Cookies – Cake n’ Knife
• Easy Lemon Cookies – Allrecipes

4. A hand-painted mug

This one is both creative and low-cost. All you need are some blank mugs, painting supplies, and a little imagination! Amazon even sells DIY mug-painting kits, like this one for $18.99*! You can even turn this gift idea into a family activity and paint your mugs together! As for the design, think of something that your grandparent loves. If I were to paint my grandmother a mug, I’d probably include flowers, music, or a Bible verse. My grandpa loves John Wick, so I might get a little ambitious and attempt to paint Keanu Reeves! Even if you aren’t Rembrandt, I’m sure your grandparents will appreciate the effort and personal touches.

5. Homemade sugar scrub

Inflation has hit more than groceries and the real estate market. The economy has also affected beauty products and cosmetics. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to buy a whole lot of skin products these days. However, your local Sephora isn’t the only place where you can pick up a nice body scrub! You can make a sugar scrub at home, thanks to this tutorial from Eating by Elaine. You just need some coconut oil and sugar, and you can whip together a nice little hand scrub in two minutes! The internet is teeming with sugar scrub recipes, so you can find another easily if the one I linked isn’t to your liking.

6. A “Reasons Why I Love You” jar

Every now and then, we need reminders that we’re loved. More than that, we need to know why we’re loved. Your grandparents are no exception to that rule. If you’ve never heard of a “Reasons Why I Love You” jar, it’s exactly what the name implies. Get a Mason jar and beautify a little. You can add a label or decorative ribbons or anything that suits your fancy! Then write down all the reasons why you love your grandparent. Maybe it’s their easy laugh or their kind nature. Or maybe it’s their twisted sense of humor. Or maybe it’s the way they’ve always been there for you, no matter what. Even if your jar doesn’t end up looking all that pretty on the outside, I’m sure your grandparents will still treasure its contents.

7. An entire day together

Now that I’m almost thirty, I don’t always see my grandparents as often as I’d like. If you’re anything like me, then consider giving your grandparent the gift of time. Plan a special day together. You can go out and hit the town, or you can just hang out at home. No matter what you do, make sure you live in the moment. Put away your phone and really listen to your grandparent. Make it a special day for both of you!

8. A framed picture

Nowadays, most people snap pics on their phones and leave it at that. However, there’s something to be said for a good, old-fashioned framed picture. You know, the kind you can hang on your wall and line your piano with! If there’s a picture of your grandparent in your iCloud that deserves a frame and a place of honor, then print it out! Then pick up a nice frame, wrap it up, and present it to your grandparent on September 7th.

9. A bouquet of wildflowers

I don’t know about you, but where I live, the wildflowers are in full bloom. Consider picking a bouquet of wildflowers for your grandmother. You don’t have to be a professional florist to put together a gorgeous arrangement that your grandma will be proud to display on her table. Pick some flowers and try to arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way. You can present them with or without a vase. If you live in the city or simply don’t have a lot of wildflowers in your area, you can always call up your local florist and have a bouquet delivered to your grandma. Either way, I’m sure the gesture will be appreciated!

10. Bookmarks

Last but certainly not least, you can always try your hand at making bookmarks! If your grandparents are anything like mine, they’re prolific readers who could use a bookmark or two. Watercolor paper is a great base. Then you can decorate however you’d like! Add ribbons, strips of fabric, lace…whatever you think might make your bookmark look pretty! If you need more ideas, check out THIS list of 13 DIY bookmarks from the folks at Spruce Crafts.

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