Practical gift guides · Published 20 October 2026
What to buy the grandchildren for Christmas
The surest present is one the grandchild has asked for, that nobody else in the family has already bought. That takes two things: the child’s own list, and a way to say “we’re getting this one”. Here is how to ask for both, and how a printed copy works if you’d rather not shop from a screen.
Get the free worksheetAsk for the child’s own list first
Gift ideas by age are a fair starting point, but children change their minds quickly and parents usually know what is already in the toy box. Ask the parents for the list itself, not just a hint, and ask early: before the big shopping weekends, while there is still a choice at every price.
One list for the whole family works better than a different list for each relative. When Gran has a list by text, Grandad was told something on the phone and the other grandparents have a third version, the same toy turns up twice. If the parents don’t have a list yet, the message in the worksheet section below is an easy way to ask.
- The exact thing, with a shop link where there is one
- Sizes for clothes and shoes
- Anything they already own, or the parents would rather not have
- Whether a bigger present could be a shared gift
Say what you’re getting before you buy it
On a Wishorium wish book, each wish can be circled once. When you decide to buy something, circle it and type your name: the circle shows blue while you’re buying and green once it’s bought, and everyone else in the family sees that wish is taken. If your plans change, take your circle off and it is free again.
You don’t need an account unless the parents chose to ask for one when they set the list up. The child never sees who is buying what, and the parents can hide the circles from the child altogether, so the surprise is kept. The parents can see who circled each wish, which helps with the thank-yous.
How a parent shares the list with Gran and Grandad
If you are the parent reading this on behalf of the grandparents: make the wish book, add the wishes from any shop or by hand, then open Manage and choose Share. From there you can copy the link, send it by WhatsApp, or invite people by email. Posting the one link in the family group chat means both sets of grandparents look at the same list.
Look through the example book below to see what the family sees. In Isla’s example, Nana has already bought the rocking horse, so it shows as taken for everyone else.
- Share the link early in the season
- Put on more wishes than there are givers, at different prices
- Add a note to a wish if it’s happy to be a group gift
For grandparents who aren’t online
Anyone looking at the list in a web browser can press Print this list and post or hand over a paper copy. Parents can also order the wish book as a real printed magazine from Manage, then Print: full colour and stapled, like the old catalogues, posted to the address they give when they pay, which can be Gran’s. It is a paid extra, priced for the country it goes to, and several copies sent together cost less each.
Every wish in the printed book has a number, so Gran can ring up and say which one she’d like to buy. The printed copy is the list as it was on the day it was printed and it can’t show circles made later, so whoever takes the call circles that wish online for her. Everyone else then sees it’s taken.
Buying safely, wherever you shop
Check the age on the box against the grandchild’s age, especially for under-threes and toys with small parts, magnets or button batteries. The Child Accident Prevention Trust suggests buying from well-known shops and brands, being wary of unfamiliar online sellers and prices that look too good, and checking whether a toy has been recalled. GOV.UK keeps a list of product safety recalls you can search.
If you’re not sure a particular toy is right, ask the parents before you buy. A quick question is easier than a return in January.
Your free worksheet and wording
One box for each grandchild: their wish, its number in the printed book if you have one, and whether you’ve circled, bought, wrapped and sent it. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. No sign-up needed.
Open the free grandparents’ gift plan ↗Copy and adapt the wording. The blank worksheet opens separately; anything you type into it stays in that browser tab and is lost on reload. It is not sent to Wishorium.
Questions from grown-ups
Do grandparents need an account to circle a present?
Only if the parents chose that when they set up the list. Otherwise anyone with the link can circle a wish and just type their name.
Can the grandchild see what we’re buying?
No. The child never sees who is buying what, and the parents can hide the circles from the child completely.
Can Gran have the list on paper?
Yes. Anyone can print the list from a web browser, and parents can order the wish book as a printed magazine from Manage, then Print, posted to an address they choose. The printed copy doesn’t update itself, so someone circles Gran’s choice online for her.
What if two of us want to buy the same thing?
Whoever circles it first has it, and the other person sees it’s taken. If you’d like to share a bigger present instead, agree it between you and one of you circles it.
Sources and useful reading
Checked 20 October 2026. Booking terms and product guidance can change; check the actual provider or product before you buy.