Consumable Gift Ideas for Grandparents: Tickets, Subscriptions, and More

The next time you're in need of a gift for a grandma, grandpa, or set of grandparents, think about getting them a consumable gift. Many older individuals already have all of the tangible items that they could possibly need and often have smaller homes, which means that large gifts are out of the question. The ideas on this list that do take up space are either quite small or won't be around for very long. There are options ranging from puzzle books to restaurant gift certificates to concert tickets with something for everyone.

If you live close to your grandparents, you might be able to make them a special meal or take them out to a restaurant. If you live further away, think about sending a gift certificate or a food gift. There are numerous websites that offer food gifts. Don't forget to consider restaurant.com, GroupOn, monthly clubs, and subscription services (i.e. cheese of the month club) as well.

Many grandparents enjoy puzzles, such as crosswords and Sudoku. While there are quite a few apps and websites to play puzzle games, lots of people also enjoy getting to work out puzzles with pencil and paper. Puzzle books are inexpensive and readily available in bookstores and online. If you're shipping a gift, make life simple and stress free by ordering from a website and sending it directly to them.

Everyone can use a set of blank notecards for sending thank yous, including with gifts, and more. Think about making your own cards or purchasing handmade cards. Personalized stamps add a nice touch to the gift. Stamps.com and Zazzle both offer personalized stamps.

Have your grandparents been putting off taking a big trip because of the steep cost of airfare? Paying for their plane tickets may be a way to make that trip happen for them. Talk to them about where and when they would like to go so that they get exactly what they want. Alternatively, if you live far enough away from them that they have to fly to see you, offer to pay for their plane tickets the next time they come to visit.

Unfortunately you can't gift Netflix right now. If your grandparents would be interested in trying Netflix, you can set them up with a trial subscription, and if they like it, you can pay for it. You can gift Hulu Plus, which can also be a great option, especially if they already use the free version of Hulu. There are a wealth of other online and magazine subscriptions out there as well. While paper magazines do take up a little room, they aren't something that most people hang onto for very long.

Having movie passes or concert tickets waiting for you makes it easier to find the time to get together. Look for options that fit their tastes and preferences and that are easily accessible for them. For example, if they are no longer comfortable driving on the highway, find a concert series or movie theater that is only a few miles away.

Just a few ideas for home and personal services that you can gift your grandparents include:

• Home cleaning
• Lawn services (i.e. mowing, bush trimming)
• Snow removal
• Window washing
• Computer maintenance
• Pet grooming
• Auto tune-ups / oil changes
• Taxi / car services
• Haircuts
• Manicures / pedicure
• Massages

Most grandparents love to receive gifts with pictures of their grandchildren. A photo calendar is a great option for showcasing your newest photos of your kids. There are lots of popular photo sites that offer calendar making tools. Look for deals and special promotions around the holidays. If you're crafty, you can also think about making your own calendar. Once you have your completed piece, think about adding birthdays and family events to it before you give it to them.

Purchase a handful of specialty or homemade soaps or other beauty items for grandparents to use as a little daily luxury or to save for when guests are in town. Think about making your own beauty products or looking for homemade options on Etsy. Beauty product recipes are readily available online. There are just a few here to get you started.

Sometimes the best gift that you can give someone is a donation to a favorite charity. Consider donating to their church, one of their alma maters, or one of their favorite local, national, or global charities. Many organizations provide a gift receipt without a dollar amount that you can include in a card for your grandparents about the donation.