Christmas gifts for Grandma and Grandpa to share

One gift for both, or one each?

Buying for a couple starts with a simple choice. A shared gift gives them something to do side by side. A gift each lets both of them be the center of attention for a while.

A good rule: if they finish each other's sentences, choose one gift for two. If they tell the same story two different ways, give them one each and enjoy both versions.

For the two of them: a journal they both answer

Our Story is a printable memory journal for couples. It has 72 questions in nine chapters, and every question is answered twice, once by each of them. How they met gets told from both sides of the room.

It also has a timeline, a page for their firsts, photo pages, letters to each other and an anniversary log. It is 102 pages, in full color and ink saver, US Letter and A4, and it costs $10.99 as an instant download.

This one suits a couple who like to sit at the kitchen table together after dinner.

For each of them: a matching pair of journals

Grandma grew up in one house and Grandpa in another. Before they met, each of them had a whole life the other only heard about. A journal each gives both stories room.

Tell Me Your Story, Grandma and Tell Me Your Story, Grandpa are $10.99 each. Each has 100 guided questions in ten chapters and 120 quick memory questions, with photo pages, a family tree and a letter page.

If Mom and Dad are on your list too, the Family Bundle has all four journals for $24.99.

From the grandchildren

A gift from the grandchildren works best when the children do something, not just sign the card.

The Family Reporter turns a child of 6 to 12 into the family's reporter. The kit has 48 question cards in six themes, press passes to cut out, worksheets and a newspaper front page to write up the story. It is $7.99. With two grandparents in the room, one child can interview Grandma while another interviews Grandpa, then compare front pages.

For the house where everyone gathers

If Christmas happens at Grandma and Grandpa's house, give them a book the house can keep. Our Family Christmas has 30 questions about Christmases past, pages for the tree, the ornaments, the menu and the family recipes, and three pages for each of ten Christmases. It is $10.99.

It comes out every December, and it gets a little fuller every year.

Gift ideas by budget

• Under $10: the Christmas Eve Family Question Game at $6.99, or The Family Reporter at $7.99.
• About $11: Our Story for the two of them, or Our Family Christmas for the house.
• About $22: one journal for Grandma and one for Grandpa, or the Christmas Family Bundle at $22.99 with Our Family Christmas, The Family Reporter, Our Story and the Christmas Eve game.
• About $25: the Family Bundle with all four Tell Me Your Story journals at $24.99.

Small extras that make it a set

• Two good pens, one for each of them.
• A photo of the two of them from the year they met, to glue on the first page.
• A pot of their usual tea or coffee to go with the first evening of questions.
• A card from each grandchild with one question they want answered first.
• A date on the calendar when you will come and hear what they wrote.

When they live far away

A printable gift travels well. You can print it and mail it yourself, or send the files so it is printed close to where they live. Either way, it is ready the moment you buy it.

Then call on Christmas Day and ask each of them one question. Our list of questions to ask your grandparents is a good place to pick from, and the free 25 questions printable fits inside a card.