The best Christmas gifts for nan are the ones she will actually use: something for the flowers she brings in from the garden, a scent she loves for quiet evenings, or a small living thing on the windowsill that does not need much looking after. Here are ten thoughtful ideas under £30, with a few notes on choosing gifts that are easy and safe for an older relative to enjoy. Prices were correct when we published this guide, and each product page always shows the current price.
The short answer
A glass bud vase on wood (£12) for a single stem from the garden, a small terrarium with an air plant for her windowsill (£10), a cobalt blue or amber ring dish (£18), or a wax melt set in lavender or rose (£16.40). If you would rather she did not have a naked flame, pair a candle holder with a battery tealight.
For her windowsill
1. A bud vase for garden flowers, £12
The small flower vase on wood holds a single stem upright: a rose from the garden in summer, a sprig of holly or a few snowdrops in winter. It sits steadily on its wooden base, which suits a busy windowsill.
2. A small terrarium with an air plant, £10
The small terrarium on natural tung wood is an open glass globe about 13 x 13cm. With an air plant inside, it needs only a soak every week or two, which makes it one of the easiest plants to look after. Plants are not included; our guide to air plant care in winter has the details.
3. A medium terrarium, £12
For a slightly larger windowsill, the medium terrarium on natural tung wood (about 15 x 15cm) holds a succulent on moss and pebbles.
For a cosy evening
4. A wax melt set in her favourite scent, £16.40
A pebble wax burner (£6.95) with three crystal wax melts comes to £16.40 with the automatic 10% off three bars. The gentlest scents are Amethyst Dream (lavender), Rose Quartz Love (rose) and Moonstone Glow (violet). Each bar is set with real gemstone chips that appear as the wax melts.
5. Wax melts without a flame
If a tealight is a worry, our wax melts also work in an electric wax melt burner, which has no flame at all. Our guide to wax melts in an electric burner explains how.
6. A candle holder with a battery tealight, £11
The single candle holder on wood takes a standard tealight in an aqua glass dish. Pop a battery tealight in it and she gets the glow without a flame, which is kinder for anyone who might forget to blow it out.
For her dressing table or kitchen
7. A ring dish, £18
A mini amber or mini blue glass bowl on wood, about 12cm long, gives rings a safe home by the kitchen sink or on the dressing table.
8. A vase and tealight holder in one, £16.95
The small vase and tealight holder on wood holds a sprig and a tealight side by side; a battery tealight works perfectly in it too.
A gift from the grandchildren
9. A terrarium to put together, from £7.75
A mini terrarium (£7.75), a bag of white sand, a few pebbles and an air plant make a lovely project for grandchildren to put together and give, or to build with her on Christmas Day.
10. Candle sand for a crafty nan, £12
A 300g pouch of Pure Serenity candle sand (lavandin, neroli and tonka) with four wicks, to pour into a bowl she already loves. It needs a stable, heat-resistant bowl at least 10cm across with at least 5cm of sand, and like any candle it should never be left burning unattended.
Choosing gifts for an older relative
- Think about flames. Battery tealights or an electric wax burner give the same glow and scent without the risk.
- Choose easy plants. Air plants need only a soak every week or two; succulents need even less.
- Go for steady pieces. Glass on a solid wooden base is less likely to tip than a tall, narrow vase.
- Keep it light. Smaller pieces are easier to move for dusting.
Ordering for Christmas
We dispatch within 1 to 2 working days, and UK delivery is a flat £4.99, usually arriving 3 to 5 working days after dispatch. We do not offer gift wrap, so if the parcel is going straight to her, enter her address at checkout and send your card separately. Order early in December to be safe.
Common questions
What do you buy a nan for Christmas?
Something she will use and enjoy: a bud vase for garden flowers, an easy windowsill plant in a small terrarium, a ring dish or a wax melt set in a gentle scent such as lavender or rose.
Are candles a good gift for an older relative?
They can be, but battery tealights or an electric wax melt burner are a safer choice for anyone who might forget a flame is lit.
What can grandchildren give their nan?
A small terrarium they have put together themselves, with an air plant, sand and pebbles, is a gift she will keep on the windowsill for years.
See our Christmas gifts for mum and gifts for someone who has everything, or browse every gift under £20.
