Grandpa is the one who says “yes” when Mom and Dad say “no.” He’s always eager to hear from you, whether you’re babbling incoherent nonsense as a toddler or consulting him about marital advice as an adult. Ultimately, Grand Dad is your go-to guy for perspective and practical advice, so give him the recognition he deserves this Sunday with a thoughtful gift.
Consider these nine unique ideas to make this Father’s Day one your grandpa will always remember.
1. Photo Book
Grandparents love updated photos of their growing families, but gifting portraits year after year can get boring for both parties. Amp up the photo offering with a themed photo book featuring a photographic chronology of your favorite memories with Grandpa, or a collection of your best family candids.
2. Premium Goods
My grandpa was a big coffee drinker. When he visited he’d walk to his favorite coffee shop near my house almost every day. For him, a premium bag of coffee beans and a sturdy new mug would be the perfect gift. Consider what your grandpa enjoys doing, eating or reading, and look for the premium version to offer him on Father’s Day.
3. Magazine Subscription
Is Grandpa an avid angler, history buff or political aficionado? Whatever his “thing,” there’s a magazine or journal offering the latest news, trends and profiles to keep him up to date. You can often find deals this time of year from subscription aggregators like Magazines.com and even daily -deal sites. Check these resources first before going directly to the publication’s website.
4. E-Reader
If Grandpa continually has his nose in a book, consider gifting him with an e-reader. Not only will he get access to his favorite books, he can increase the type size on the screen for tired eyes, or opt for audio books for the ultimate relaxation. Deal site FreeShipping.org is advertising $20 off plus free shipping on the Barnes & Noble Nook when you use your Master Card.
5. Webcam/Skype
The best gift of all is your company, and that may be hard to come by if your grandpa lives in another state. Think about purchasing a webcam and offering to install it the next time you’re out, along with Skype so you can video call him between visits. This is a great way to stay connected and feel like you see him more often than a few times a year.
6. Smartphone and Tech Session
Baby boomer grandparents are a savvy bunch, and they’ll likely appreciate the latest smartphone to keep tabs on their grandchildren. Verizon Wireless now offers an $80 prepaid plan for smartphones with unlimited talk and text and 1GB of data. Since there’s a lot to learn about these gadgets, set him up with a tech session from a store manager.
7. Movie Tickets
There are lots of great movies coming out this summer, and your grandparents might enjoy a few movie nights on you. You can buy gift cards to specific movie theater companies or online ticket sellers like Fandango. Be sure he takes advantage of senior discounts to stretch the card’s value and point him to this article from the Miami Herald on other ways to save at the movies.
8. Car Wash/Detailing
My grandpa’s car was always immaculate, but I know it was harder for him to keep it up as he got older. If this sounds familiar, gift your grandpa with a car wash and detailing package to keep his ride as pristine as he’d like. You can often find daily deals offering this service, so scour Groupon and LivingSocial for deals in his area.
9. Virtual Keyboard
Grandpa is pretty tech savvy, but maybe he’s been complaining to you about the miniscule size of his tablet or smartphone keyboard. Launch him into the future with the Cube Laser Virtual Keyboard, compatible with iPhones, iPads, smartphones and most laptops. This matchbox-size device projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface, offering the convenience of a real keyboard without requiring you to haul one around.
Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget. Kendal has been quoted in such media outlets as CNN Money, FOX, ABC, NPR and Kiplinger Personal Finance. For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.
For all media inquiries, please contact Kendal Perez at 970-672-1136 or email kendal@hasslefreesavings.com.
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