Large-Print Gift Ideas for Older Parents and Grandparents (2027)

A planner or a puzzle book with big print is a small gift that gets used. It suits a parent or grandparent who finds ordinary print hard to read, and it is easy to wrap for Christmas, a birthday or a holiday visit. This page covers what to check before you buy, a few simple pairings, and how to try our free printable puzzles first, so you know which kind they enjoy.

Why a planner or a puzzle book works as a gift

• It is used every week. A planner can sit by the phone for appointments, birthdays and visits. A puzzle book is something to pick up with a morning cup of coffee.
• No screen and no setup. Nothing to charge, no password, no app to update. Open it and start.
• Easy to send. A book fits in a holiday package or a padded envelope.
• Something to share on a visit. If you are going home for the holidays, sit down together and write next year's family birthdays into the planner, or solve the first puzzle side by side.

What to look for

Print size

The words "large print" on a cover can mean very different sizes. Look at the actual numbers and letters inside. In a planner, the size of the date numbers matters most, along with how much room there is to write under each date. In a puzzle book, look at the size of the squares as well as the size of the numbers. If you can, compare with something the person already reads comfortably.

Paper

Most people fill in planners and puzzles with a pen or a pencil and an eraser, so plain uncoated paper is easier to write on than glossy paper. A shiny page can also reflect the light from a lamp.

Spiral or bound

A spiral-bound book lies flat and folds back on itself, which helps if holding a book open is tiring. A bound paperback is lighter and stands on a shelf like any other book. Our printed books are bound paperbacks, not spiral-bound. If lying flat matters, our free printable sheets on a clipboard are another way to go.

Difficulty

A puzzle book that starts easy and gets harder lets someone find their own level. Hints are useful when someone gets stuck and no one is around to ask. If you are not sure which level to choose, print one free sheet at each level and see which one they finish and enjoy.

Dates

A 2027 planner that starts before January can go into use as soon as it is unwrapped. Check which months a planner covers before you buy.

Try before you buy: free printables

Every puzzle on this site is free to print at home, with answers on a separate page. Print a few to take on your visit, or mail them with a holiday card.

• Large print sudoku (40 puzzles): four levels from Beginner to Hard, with hints for each spot where you might get stuck.
• Word search (30 puzzles): bold letters, at least 22 point, four levels from Easy to Expert.
• Math worksheets (30 sheets) and mazes (20 sheets).
• Free 2027 large print calendar: 12 monthly pages and a one-page year view for the fridge.

For printer settings, see How to print.

Pairing ideas

• A planner and a good pen. A pen with a medium or bold tip writes lines that are easier to read later. Before you wrap the planner, you could write in the family birthdays.
• A puzzle book, a pencil with an eraser, and a few free sheets. Start with an easier level from this site, so the first puzzle is a pleasant one.
• A planner and the free 2027 calendar. The planner stays on the desk for appointments, and the one-page year view goes on the fridge.

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