Send a Gift to Your Family: Gift Ideas for Your Extended Family

Extended families can definitely spark some mixed emotions. Maybe you’re excited to see your fam but a little worried about the drama between Grandpa and your favorite aunt. Amidst all the family chaos, the last thing you should be worried about is whether you chose the right gift for your grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. You might be considered one big family unit, but your personalities are as different as the sun and moon. Never fear—whether you’re preparing for a family reunion, Grandma’s birthday celebration box Hamilton, or just want to send a gift from afar, it is possible to find the perfect gift for everyone in your family.

1. Snack Basket

If you want to send a gift that the whole family can enjoy, fruit and snack baskets are the perfect go-to. You may not know everyone in your extended family intimately, so if you’re looking to send a gift that’s kind but still polite, baskets of food are perfect. After all, who doesn’t love food? Tasty Ribbon has a number of themed goody boxes including an Italian box, a “pestos & pasta” box, a tea box, and a bruschetta kit. Caroo’s gift boxes are full of salty and sweet snacks that might be better suited to younger members of your family. Whatever your family’s favorite foods, they’ll each be able to find something that they enjoy in a snack basket.

Additionally, you can also give them flowers, sweet treats, and gift boxes, such as ones from Celebration Box Hamilton. Gift boxes have gained popularity as they offer a curated selection of items catering to different interests. You can buy themed gift boxes that can include a combination of snacks, beverages, candles, bath products, small gadgets, and more.  

Consider including a handwritten note expressing your wishes. You can also customize the gift by including items that reflect the recipient’s hobbies, passions, or experiences you’ve shared. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just a spontaneous gesture of love, tailoring your gift makes it more meaningful. For example, you might choose festive flowers and treats for a holiday celebration or a spa-themed gift box for a relaxation-focused occasion.

2. Cozy Blankets and Sleepwear

No matter how old your family members are, they’ll always appreciate a comfortable new pajama set or a weighted blanket. You could include a pair of slippers for Grandma, face masks or facial rollers for aunts and cousins who prefer to be pampered, and maybe popcorn so the little ones can have a movie night. Choosing a theme when you send a gift to the different members of your family will seem very thoughtful—and make it easier to keep track of everyone who is receiving a gift.

3. Personalized Candles

If you have family living all over the country, it might be nice to remind them of their hometown—or even a favorite childhood vacation spot. Wherever you usually spend time with your extended family, a city or state-themed candle from Homesick Candles can be a great reminder of your similarities, even if you live apart.

4. Sentimental Jewelry

Jewelry is always a beautiful and thoughtful gift, although it can get pricey to give pieces to every member of your extended family. But if there are any members of your family who especially value your family traditions and history—maybe Grandma or Grandpa—a piece of sentimental jewelry could be perfect for them. If you have jewelry pieces from relatives who have passed, see if you can have them customized into something new and wearable for Grandma and Grandpa. If there’s a birthstone or symbol that’s important to your family, you could have it engraved onto a necklace, bracelet, or watch.

5. Alcohol

You can’t go wrong with alcohol as a housewarming or celebratory gift. A bottle of wine is classic or, if you don’t know what your intended recipient prefers, you can let them choose. Almost any type of alcohol, including fine wines, whiskeys, vodka, tequila, and champagne, can be found online and ordered to someone’s house. If you want to send this gift as a set and don’t want those under 21 to feel left out, you could include a few non-alcoholic beverages or tropical mix-ins that can be converted into virgin cocktails.

Incorporating alcoholic beverages into gift boxes can elevate the overall gift experience and provide the recipient with a taste of luxury or novelty. Consider the occasion. Champagne is often associated with celebrations, while wine can be a great choice for a romantic dinner. Furthermore, you can include a set of glasses, a corkscrew, gourmet snacks, or a book. Include a note encouraging the recipient to enjoy the beverage in moderation and never to drink and drive.

6. Pet Gifts

You may not know your extended family member that well, but if you follow them on social media, you might know their pets. If your distant relative has a cat or dog that they can’t stop posting pictures of, you might want to curate a gift basket for Fido instead. Treats, toys, stylish outfits, and personalized collars are all great ideas. Pets are extensions of ourselves, so both your animal-loving relative and their furry friend are bound to appreciate such a creative gift.

7. Books

If you are part of a family that loves to read, this is an inexpensive way to make sure that each member of your extended family receives a gift that suits them. A romantic beach read for your single cousin, a historical non-fiction book for Grandpa, and kids’ books for your nieces and nephews. This is another great way to choose a theme that can be adapted for every member of the family. 

8. Board Games

If you’re brainstorming gift ideas for a family gathering, why not choose a gift that can be shared by everybody at the party? Card and board games are a great family party activity. Create a gift that includes crosswords, pop quizzes, trivia games, Scrabble, and even a set of old-fashioned cards for Grandpa to show the kids. If you want to go the extra mile, you could include some games that the kids might be more familiar with—maybe a video game that has been on their wishlist. This way, the family can take turns learning how to play each other’s favorite games.

Whether you’re close with your extended family or some of them feel more like acquaintances, hopefully these suggestions will help you find gifts that suit your grandparents, your favorite uncle, and even that third cousin you barely know.