Last order date for Christmas: Tuesday 15 December
Presents from Grandparents: How to Choose a Gift They'll Love (and the Parents Will Too)
How much to spend, what suits each age, and the questions to ask the parents before you buy. Our practical guide to presents from grandparents.
Buying for a grandchild should be the fun part of Christmas. Often it isn't. You want to get it right, you don't want to buy something they already have, and you'd quite like the parents to approve too.
We're Kirsty and Mat. We run Imagination Toys from the Wirral and we're parents of two. This guide answers the questions grandparents ask most often, from what to ask the parents first to what suits each age.
Before you buy: questions to ask the parents
The most useful thing you can do is have a quick word with mum or dad first. It saves duplicates, wasted money and the odd awkward moment on Christmas morning. These are the questions we'd ask:
- What are they into at the moment? Trains, animals, cooking, building? Interests change fast at this age.
- What have they already got? Especially big things like a play kitchen, a dolls house or a train set.
- Is anyone else buying the main present? If the other grandparents are getting the dolls house, you could add the furniture.
- How much room is there? A large castle or garage is wonderful, but not in a small flat.
- Are there any rules? Some families avoid noisy toys, screens or toys with small parts while there's a baby in the house.
- Should it go to their house or yours? Some parents would rather hide presents themselves. Others are happy for a parcel to turn up.
Parents tend to be very grateful to be asked. It also gives you a gift you know will be played with.
How much do grandparents usually spend?
There's no right amount, and a thoughtful £20 gift can mean more than an expensive one. That said, it can help to know what's typical. SunLife's research for Christmas 2024 found that grandparents planned to spend £97 on each grandchild on average. Grandparents with two grandchildren planned to spend more per child (£114) than those with three or more (£76).
It's also worth knowing how parents feel. In a SunLife survey of 2,000 parents, 47% said their parents and in-laws spend too much at Christmas, while 51% said the amount was about right. So if you're worried you're not spending enough, you probably needn't be.
If you'd like a starting point, our toys fall into three rough bands:
- Under £20: small first toys, puzzles, play food and stocking fillers
- Under £50: role-play sets, stackers, pull-alongs and starter train sets
- £100 and over: dolls houses, large play sets and train sets, with free UK mainland delivery
How many presents should grandparents give?
We think one good present usually beats several smaller ones. Young children open a pile of gifts and play with one of them. A single toy they love gets far more use than five they forget.
If you like having something extra to open, a small add-on works well. Think a few play food pieces to go with a kitchen, or an extra train for a set they already own. Again, the parents will know what's missing.
The right toy for the right age
Getting the age right is what most grandparents worry about. Here's a simple guide to what children enjoy at each stage, followed by some of our favourites.
| Age | What they're into | Toys that suit |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (0 to 12 months) | Grabbing, shaking, rolling, putting things in their mouth | Rattles, simple stackers, activity cubes |
| 1 to 2 years | Walking, pushing, pulling, posting shapes | Walkers, pull-alongs, shape sorters |
| 3 years | Pretending, copying grown-ups, telling stories | Role-play sets, animal sets, play food |
| 4 years | Setting the scene for bigger games | Cafés, shops, castles, dolls houses |
| 5 years | Building, planning, playing with friends | Train sets, garages, larger play sets |
Our picks by age
For babies and first birthdays
Keep it simple. Rattles, stackers and chunky first puzzles are easy to hold and give babies plenty to explore.
For 1 and 2 year olds
New walkers love something to push or pull, and posting shapes keeps little hands busy for longer than you'd expect.
For 3 year olds
This is when pretend play really starts. Ice cream carts, play food and role-play sets let them copy the grown-ups.
For 4 year olds
Four year olds like a setting for their games. Cafés, shops and castles give them a stage to play with brothers, sisters and friends.
For 5 year olds
At five, children can build bigger layouts and stick with a game for longer. Train sets and larger play sets suit them well.
Every toy on our site shows a recommended age. Always check it, especially for younger brothers and sisters, as some sets contain small parts.
Christmas presents from grandparents: getting it there in time
If you'd like to send a present straight to your grandchild's house, just enter their name and address as the delivery address at checkout.
A couple of tips if you do:
- Let the parents know a parcel is coming. We don't offer gift wrapping, so they'll want to put it somewhere out of sight and wrap it themselves.
- Order early. Our last order date for Christmas delivery is Tuesday 15 December.
- Check the delivery cost. UK mainland delivery is free on orders over £100 and £4.99 below that.
For more ideas sorted by age and budget, see our Wooden Toy Christmas Gift Guide.
First Christmas, first birthday and christening presents
A baby's first Christmas or birthday is a lovely chance to give something that will be kept. A classic wooden toy suits that well. It can still be played with years later, and handed on to the next baby in the family.
For a first Christmas, a rattle or a stacker is just right. For a first birthday, a walker or an activity cube suits children who are pulling themselves up and starting to explore. For a christening, a Noah's Ark is a traditional choice that grows with the child, from looking at the animals to playing with them.
What to buy a grandchild who has everything
A few ideas that tend to work:
- Add to something they love. Extra track for a train set, furniture for a dolls house or new pieces for a play kitchen.
- Choose something to play together. A train set or a role-play café is far more fun with a grandparent joining in.
- Pick a toy with no screen and no batteries. In a house full of gadgets, a simple wooden toy often gets the most attention.
What our grandparent customers say
"Purchased for 1yo granddaughter. She enjoyed moving all the knobs, beads etc. Great toy & arrived well packaged. First purchase from imagination toys & easy to order on site & great ethics re sustainable wood, planting trees & cleaning ocean of plastic."
Gillian B, verified buyer, REVIEWS.io
"Beautiful product. Well packaged and arrived quickly. Mulberry Mansion bought for grandchild. Beautifully made with so much detail. Excellent customer service. Thanks."
Lisa C, verified buyer, REVIEWS.io
What our toys are made from
Every toy we sell carries the UKCA or CE mark. Our Orange Tree Toys and Speedy Monkey toys are made from FSC-certified wood with non-toxic paint. Tender Leaf and Mentari toys are made from sustainable rubberwood and finished with non-toxic, water-based paints. Classic World toys are made from sustainably sourced wood with non-toxic paints, and Viga and PolarB toys use non-toxic paints and inks tested to EN 71, the European toy safety standard.
We also fund the planting of a tree for every order, and help fund the removal of plastic from our oceans.
Common questions
How much should grandparents spend on grandchildren at Christmas?
Whatever feels comfortable. SunLife's research for Christmas 2024 put the average at £97 per grandchild, but most parents care far more about the thought than the price.
How many presents should grandparents give?
One well-chosen present is usually enough. If you'd like something extra, a small add-on to a toy they already love works well.
Can you send a present straight to my grandchild's address?
Yes. Enter their name and address as the delivery address at checkout. We don't gift wrap, so it's worth telling the parents a parcel is on its way.
What age are wooden toys suitable from?
From birth, with the right toy. Rattles and stackers suit babies, and every product page shows the recommended age.
How much is delivery?
UK mainland delivery is free on orders over £100 and £4.99 on orders below that. Order by Tuesday 15 December for Christmas.
Looking for more ideas?
Browse our Christmas gift guide, sorted by age and budget.