The Best Gifts for Grandmas Who Love to Cook and Eat

Don’t forget to honor your grandma on Mother’s Day—after all, she’s the ultimate mom, the mom who raised your mom. This Mother’s Day is a special one for my family, because it marks the first that my mother celebrates with her newly appointed title of Nana. My mom graduated to this higher status this year twice over, and she’s stepped into the role with ease and love. (My brothers usually message me for last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas, and this year I’ll have my work cut out for me, because they’ll have their mom and wives to buy for!)

Of course, grandmothers have a wide range of interests. Whether the grandma in your life spends her time shaping dumplings in the kitchen, pruning rose bushes, or racking up miles driving across the country to visit grandbabies, it's essential to get a thoughtful gift to show your love and appreciation. Read on for a grandma gift guide.

Gifts for grandmothers with prized recipes

My late grandmother made a dessert from scratch every day for her eight children. Can you imagine? Her specialty was cherry pie, made with sour cherries from a tree in the backyard; it's a beloved recipe in our family, one that everyone has written down. To preserve your own family recipes, give your grandma a special keepsake box or recipe tin. You could even have family members fill out recipe cards to add to the collection, or get a custom family cookbook and have everyone fill-in pages. But a custom cutting board featuring the engraving of a loved one’s handwritten recipe might be the ultimate personalized gift. 

Gifts for grandmothers who love to host

In my family, visits typically include a big shared meal and lots of board games. Upgrade your grandma’s stoneware, or get her a serving tray that doubles as a checkers board.

The best gift ideas for new grandmothers 

As a new grandmother, my mom baby proofed her home to welcome visiting grandbabies. For new grandmas who are upgrading homes to be kid-friendly, give them a countertop baby seat so they can keep a watchful eye while cooking. A Vitamix is a great gift for grandmas who want to spoil grandbabies with homemade baby food, and Souper cubes make it easy to keep puréed vegetables on hand.

For grandmothers who embrace hygge

Gifts like throw blankets and candles are go-tos for good reason. Grandmas love cozy things and home decor. Step up the classics with a personalized touch; go for a customized woven blanket featuring a handwritten letter, a kids’ drawing, or a family tree. To tide them over between visits, give grandmas a digital picture frame to display family photos, or a shadow box for grandchildrens’ artwork. 

For grandmothers who love activities

My mom’s favorite activity when the grandkids visit is to sink into an armchair, baby in lap, and read books. When her granddaughters are older, she looks forward to doing kitchen activities, like baking cookies and rolling out nut bread. 

Help Grandma build a library of books for when the grandkids visit, or stock her kitchen with kid-friendly baking kits so the grandchildren can make memories (and a mess) in the kitchen. And how cute would a matching set of aprons be for grandma and the little helpers?

For grandmothers who love to garden

If your grandma loves gardening, give her plants or seeds to fill her garden patch with herbs and flowers. (Gift sets of seed packets can double as a playful gardening activity with grandkids.) Stock her shed with gardening tools, or beautify her garden with a hummingbird feeder. If your grandmother lacks a green thumb, that’s okay. You can give her a luxe tote bag so she can procure vegetables, fruits, and flowers from the farmers market. Or, give her a flower subscription so she'll have fresh blooms year-round. 

For grandmas who love treats

My paternal grandma loved graham crackers with peanut butter, and my maternal grandma loved licorice candies. Send your grandma a subscription to tea or a gift box of chocolate—whatever her favorite treat is. The best grandmas will definitely share.