Thoughtful holiday gifts for grandparents

Grandparents play important roles in millions of families. Though grandmothers and grandfathers may always be ready to give a warm hug and provide a treat to their grandchildren, their role in modern families also includes helping with child care and other responsibilities.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2017-2021 American Community Survey indicates approximately 33 percent of grandparents living with their grandchildren under the age of 18 were responsible for kids' care. In addition, USCB data indicates one in four children under the age of five is cared for by a grandparent while parents go to work or attend school.

There's no denying modern grandparents are actively involved in their grandkids' lives, providing an invaluable benefit to parents who might struggle to afford or find reliable child care elsewhere. With that in mind, families can make a concerted effort to find thoughtful gifts for grandparents this holiday season.

· Travel gifts: Grandparents may play an integral role in the daily lives of their families, but many aging individuals still aspire to travel, especially if they're retired. In fact, a recent poll by RBC Wealth Management-U.S. found that 63 percent of individuals age 50 and older identify travel as an important retirement goal. Families can surprise grandparents this holiday season with a cruise vacation, money to book flights to parts unknown or additional travel-related gifts, such as new luggage.

· Framed children's artwork: Whether it's purchased through a child's school or via a third party seller or created at home as a family craft project, framing artwork created by children in a frame designed for grandparents is a heartwarming gift. School-aged youngsters are especially productive artists, so artwork can be updated over the course of a year as grandparents are gifted more and more memorable pieces.

· Home upgrades: Upgrades around a grandparent's home can vastly improve their quality of life, particularly if they've long since reached retirement age. Arrange for the installation of grab bars in grandparents' bathrooms and reinforced staircase bannisters around the house. Such a gift might not be as heartwarming as children's artwork in a specialty frame, but it is a practical and potentially life-saving token of your love and appreciation.

· Journal: A journal is another thoughtful gift that encourages grandparents to share their life stories. Though it's up to grandparents to decide what they want to write about in their journals, a suggestion to detail their life stories lets them know their families are interested in how they became the people they are today. Grandparents may cherish the opportunity to pass on their life stories and anecdotes to the younger generations of their family.

· Ancestry kit: Interest in genealogy has increased dramatically in recent years, as advancements in technology have made it easier than ever to trace one's ancestry. If grandma and grandpa have yet to join the genealogy party, a DNA kit from a popular ancestry service can open the door to an illuminating and fascinating hobby.

Grandparents do a lot for their families, and the holiday season provides a great opportunity for families to show grandmothers and grandfathers how much they're appreciated.