Christmas Gifts for Grandpa: Papa Shirts and Easy Ideas

A grandfather is hard to shop for. He has the tools, the recliner and the opinions, and if you ask what he wants for Christmas he will tell you to save your money. What most grandfathers actually like is anything that shows the grandchildren were thinking about him, plus a little ribbing about getting older.

That is why a "papa" shirt works so well as a Christmas gift for grandpa. It costs about the same as a nice lunch, it carries the name his grandchildren call him, and he can wear it to the next family cookout. Below are gift ideas for grandpa sorted by the kind of grandfather you have, then experience gifts and easy non-shirt ideas you can add to the box.

Start with his name

Before you pick a design, use the name the family actually uses. A man who has been "Papaw" for twenty years will not wear a shirt that says "Grandpa," and the reverse is true too. Our shop has designs for Papa, Grandpa and Papaw, so you can match the name he answers to. If he goes by Grandad or Pops, we do not have a shirt with that exact name, so pick one of the non-name designs below or skip the shirt.

The best Christmas gifts for grandpa, by personality

Every shirt here is a made-to-order unisex tee in adult sizes S to 3XL. S to XL is $29.99, 2XL is $32.99 and 3XL is $34.99, and most designs come in 15 colors, from Ivory and Bay to Moss, Pepper and Black.

The young-at-heart papa

Some grandfathers refuse the word because it sounds old. Papa Because Grandpa Is For Old Guys says it for him in stacked retro letters in orange, teal and tan with two little stars. It is the right pick for the man who still beats the grandchildren in a footrace, or at least says he does.

The professional spoiler

He sneaks the grandkids candy before dinner and buys whatever they point at in the store. Grandpa Is My Name And Spoiling Is My Game is black block and script lettering with a brush stroke behind the word "spoiling." It reads well from across the yard, which helps when he is wearing it at a birthday party.

The proud papa

My Favorite People Call Me Papa mixes red script with white block letters and a pair of laurel leaves. Because part of the print is white, pick a mid to dark color like Blue Jean, Moss or Pepper so every word shows up. This is the sentimental pick, and the one a grown grandchild usually chooses.

The new grandpa

If the first grandbaby arrived this year, The Best Dads Get Promoted To Grandpa is the one to wrap. A pair of black glasses sits over gold and black type. It doubles as a thank-you to him as a dad, which is a nice touch if you are his son or daughter.

The grandpa who has two jobs

Plenty of men are still raising teenagers when the first grandchild arrives. I Have Two Titles Dad And Grandpa shows a fist bump with "I rock them both" underneath, in bold black, orange and tan.

The know-it-all papaw

Papaw Knows Everything finishes the joke in smaller type: "If he doesn't know, he makes stuff up really fast." The colors are orange, teal and green. Every family has this papaw, and he usually laughs the loudest at this one.

The fun grandpa

Papasaur is a T. rex in sunglasses and a tropical shirt, standing in front of palm trees and a sunset, with "Papasaur" in big script. A young granddaughter or grandson will love pointing at the dinosaur, and he gets to be the cool one at the pool.

The football grandpa

He never misses a game, whether it is a peewee league or a Sunday on the couch. Football Grandpa has a teal football, "Football" in teal script and GRANDPA in orange block letters. There is no team logo on it, so it works no matter who he roots for.

The outdoors papa

Papa Camo is simple: PAPA in large block letters filled with a camo pattern. It suits a grandpa who hunts, fishes or just spends most of his time on the tractor.

Experience gifts for grandpa

An older man who has everything often wants time more than things. Experience gifts are a great fit, especially from grandchildren:

• A really nice meal. Take him to the restaurant he talks about but never goes to, or cook his favorite dinner at your place.
• A game or a show. Tickets to a ballgame, a car show or a concert of the music he grew up with.
• A day at the zoo or park with the grandchildren, where all he has to do is show up.
• A cafe lunch every month. A small gift card to his favorite diner, with a note promising you will come along.

Easy gift ideas to go with the shirt

A shirt is a good main gift, but grandfathers tend to treasure the small personal things more. These are cheap and take an evening to put together.

• A 2027 photo calendar with a grandkid picture for each month and every birthday already marked.
• A drawing from the grandchildren in a simple frame. Little ones can draw him wearing the new shirt.
• A keepsake box with a short letter from each grandchild inside.
• A recorded message. Have each one record a short video or voice note telling him a favorite memory.
• A "grandpa day" card. A coupon for one fishing trip, ballgame or breakfast with just him and the grandchildren.
• His favorite snack. The roasted nuts, the hard candy, a box of chocolates, the jerky he always buys. Put it in the box with the shirt.
• A coffee mug and a throw blanket for grandpa's favorite chair. Simple, used every day.
• Tech help. Set up his new phone, load the family photos on it, and show him how to video call. It sounds small and it often gets the biggest thank-you.

How much should you spend on grandpa?

Less than you think. Most grandpas care far more about who the gift is from than what it cost. A $29.99 shirt plus something homemade from the grandchildren is plenty. If several family members want to give him something, pool the money into one bigger experience gift and let each person add a card. A gift card is fine too, as long as it comes with a plan to use it together.

Can the grandchildren match him?

Only the grown-up ones. Our graphic tees come in adult sizes S to 3XL only, with no kids or toddler sizes, so a shirt for a little one is not something we can make. Grown grandchildren, aunts and uncles can match grandpa, though. If the whole family wants coordinating shirts for a Christmas photo, our guide to matching Christmas shirts for adults walks through how to plan it.

Getting his size right

He will probably not tell you his size, and he may still be wearing shirts from years ago. Ask grandma, or borrow a t-shirt he likes, lay it flat, and measure across the chest just under the arms. Compare that with our size and measurement guide. These tees have a relaxed unisex fit with a ribbed collar.

Care is simple enough for any grandfather: machine wash cold, inside out, with like colors, tumble dry low, no bleach, and no iron directly on the print.

When to order a grandpa Christmas gift

Christmas 2026 is on a Friday. Each shirt is printed after you order. Orders ship in 1 to 3 business days. Most orders arrive 3 to 5 business days after shipping. Order by Dec 9 for Christmas delivery. Standard shipping (UPS) is $9 on orders under $49, and Economy is free on orders of $49 or more. Two S to XL shirts come to $59.98, so a shirt for him plus one for dad already qualifies. See the Christmas Shirt Ordering Guide 2026 and our shipping information page for details.

Missed Christmas? The same shirts make a good birthday gift, a Father's Day gift on Sunday, June 20, 2027, or a gift for National Grandparents Day, which falls on Sunday, September 12, 2027.

Quick answers

What should I buy an older man who has everything?

Something personal: a shirt with the name the grandkids call him, a photo calendar, or a recorded message from each grandchild.

What do you get a grandpa for his first Christmas as a grandpa?

The Best Dads Get Promoted To Grandpa, plus a framed photo of him holding the baby.

What can a granddaughter give her grandpa for Christmas?

Something only she can give: a drawing, a recorded message, or a day out together. Wrap it with a papa shirt so he has something to wear to the next family dinner.

Do you make matching papa and grandchild shirts?

No. Our tees come in adult sizes S to 3XL only, so only adult grandchildren can match him.

What is a funny gift for grandpa?

Papaw Knows Everything and Papa Because Grandpa Is For Old Guys get the biggest laughs at the gift table.

Shop all dad and papa shirts