Personalised gifts are a popular way to show gratitude and admiration for your nan (or your grandma, nana, nanny or granny) on occasions including her birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day or National Grandparents’ Day. You can customise Nan’s gift in all sorts of ways – adding names, dates, photos or features that might interest her – but if you want to make it feel extra personal, the best way is by adding a thoughtful message or meaningful inscription. Finding the right words can be tricky, so if you’re looking for personalisation ideas for your nan’s gift, let us be your inspiration.
In this article, we will share some of the best messages for grandmothers, including 10 of our favourite text ideas from real Create Gift Love customers. So, whether she’s a new nanny celebrating the arrival of her first grandchild or you’re looking for a gift for Grandma’s milestone birthday, let us be your guide to thoughtful message ideas.
10 Personalised Message Ideas for Nans from Real Create Gift Love Customers
Let’s get started with some popular text ideas for nans from genuine Create Gift Love orders. Here are 10 of our favourite ideas for grandmas, covering occasions including Mother's Day, Christmas and family milestones.
1. “Granny, thank you for teaching me and making me feel loved every day x”
We loved this heartfelt message one customer wrote to their granny, nodding to the lessons we learn from our grandparents and the value of quality time spent together.
2. “You’re the best nanny in the world, love [name] X”
A short and simple message to remind Nanny that she is, quite simply, the best. This is a popular personalisation idea that’s full of meaning and works well as an inscription on all sorts of gift types, including keyrings, notebooks, purses and more.
3. “First Christmas as my Nan, love from [name] xxx”
Life always has its way of presenting new milestones and new experiences, especially with young grandchildren in the family. Using personalised gifts to mark new milestones, like Nan’s first Christmas as a grandparent, is a lovely way to honour the next chapter in her story.
4. “Congratulations on your promotion to Grandma-status”
Gifts for grandparents don’t always come from their grandchildren. This example was given to a “newly promoted” grandma, congratulating her on the new arrival in the family.
5. “This Grandma belongs to [name] x”
This is a lovely way to include the names of her grandchildren in her gift, and works particularly well on personalised keyrings. “This Grandma belongs to…” is one of our most popular Mother’s Day gift messages for grandmas every year.
6. “Having you as my Nan is the best gift there can be.”
Here’s another way you can tell your nan she’s the best. A message like this would make a birthday present extra special, showing Nan that she is loved and appreciated beyond measure.
7. “Family: the perfect mix of love and chaos.”
A gran with a big brood of children and grandchildren will relate to this lighthearted definition of family. You could personalise further by adding names or describing what family means to you.
8. “Grandma and her little helpers”
We thought this message would make a great caption for a photo gift, like a photo block or personalised picture frame, showing Grandma and her grandchildren. Quite how “helpful” the helpers are isn’t for us to say…
9. “Nanny, I love you to the moon and back”
“I love you to the moon and back” is a phrase we see time and time again, used by our customers to personalise gifts for all kinds of people and occasions. It’s a beautiful sentiment and works well with grandparent gifts, reminding Nanny just how much she means to her grandchildren.
10. “Thank you for everything you do for us. We love you, Nana”
This sweet message of gratitude was used by one of our customers on a gift to her mother, from herself and her own children. It’s perfect for Mother’s Day, touching on Nana’s role in the family and mothering across generations.
Need some more ideas? Here are some more ways you can personalise a gift for your nan. Remember, there may be character limits or recommendations depending on the type of personalised gift you’ve chosen. Some ideas will work better than others, so be sure to check the product information available when ordering.
How Does Engraving or Printing “Best Nan Ever” or “World’s Greatest Nan” Show Love and Appreciation?
Starting with a classic phrase like “Best Nan Ever” or “World’s Greatest Nan” instantly conveys admiration. These timeless phrases are popular for a reason, as they communicate respect and love in a simple, yet powerful way. The world is full of amazing grandparents, but in your eyes, no one is as great as yours.
Whether engraved on a personalised wooden keyring, printed on a Christmas bauble, or inscribed on personalised jewellery, phrases like “Best Nan Ever” remind your nan of the special place she holds in your life every time she uses the gift, creating a lasting family connection that she will cherish forever.
Why Are Heartfelt Messages Like “Thank You for Your Endless Love” or “Nan, You Mean Everything to Me” Popular Choices for Personalising Gifts?
Heartfelt messages resonate deeply because they acknowledge the love, care, and emotional support your nan provides. Phrases like “Thank you for your endless love” or “Nan, you mean everything to me” express gratitude and affection, making them popular choices for personalisation. These messages go beyond simple admiration and speak directly to the heart of the relationship you share with your nan.
A personalised leather photo keyring with a heartfelt message inscribed on the back or an engraved photo frame can serve as a constant reminder of your appreciation for her endless support. Gifts with such personal touches are likely to be displayed prominently, allowing your nan to reflect on your bond every day.
How Does Including Significant Family Dates, Such as Grandchildren’s Birthdays or Anniversaries, Add Sentimental Value to a Gift?
Adding significant family dates can transform a personalised gift into something even more meaningful. Dates have the power to evoke memories, which is why they’re used so often in the personalised gifts we make at Create Gift Love. Engraving or printing significant family dates, such as grandchildren's birth dates, anniversaries, or special milestones, adds real sentimental value to a gift, weaving in your family’s story and reminding your grandma of her part within it.
These gifts act as sentimental mementoes, keeping family connections alive and reminding your nan of the love that surrounds her. For example, a custom necklace with the birthstones and names of her grandchildren can carry an added emotional value that she’ll treasure for years.
How Does Incorporating an Inside Joke or Shared Memory Add a Personal Touch?
Few things are more personal than an inside joke or a shared memory, and referencing these phrases or experiences in your personalised gift will make it feel truly bespoke. This could be a saying your nan is well known for, a quote from a memorable holiday you shared, or something connected to activities you enjoy together. For example, “Baking Buddy” or “Gardening Queen” could nod to the quality time you’ve spent learning skills from Nan, reflecting the unique bond you share.
This approach offers a level of intimacy and uniqueness that generic messages can’t provide. Whether you are gifting a personalised notebook or a photo album, incorporating an inside joke ensures the item brings a smile to your gran’s face every time she uses it.
Why Is Including a Nickname or Term of Endearment, Like “Gran,” “Nanny,” or “Grandma,” Effective in Making a Gift More Intimate and Special?
Using a personal nickname or term of endearment, such as “Gran”, “Nanny”, or “Grandma”, immediately makes a gift feel more intimate and tailored. We don’t all use “Nan”, after all. In fact, a 2022 survey of 2000 British adults found that 33% of British grandmothers go by “Nan”, while the next most popular names for grandmothers were “Grandma” (32%), “Nana” (24%), “Nanny” (22%) and “Granny” (14%). We certainly see a whole host of different name requests on our Nan gifts, and that’s one of the great things about personalising: you can tailor the present in a way that resonates with your family, rather than having to settle for something generic.
When choosing the right text for a personalised gift for your nan, thoughtful phrases can turn a simple object into a cherished keepsake. From classic expressions like “Best Nan Ever” to meaningful dates and playful inside jokes, the right words add depth and emotion to any gift. By incorporating personal touches such as nicknames, heartfelt quotes, or family milestones, you ensure that your gift will remain a lasting reminder of your love and appreciation for your nan.