⚡ Gifts for grandparents
Nan and grandad, the superheroes
A family photo becomes an original superhero, printed on a hoodie, sweatshirt or t-shirt in the UK. Make grandad a knight, nan a mage, or put the grandchildren on something they'll wear with pride.
The short answer
Two ways to make it about the family
Grandparents tend to say they don't want anything. What they mean is they don't want more things. A gift with the family on it is different.
Make them the hero
Grandad as a Medieval Epic knight or nan as a Fantasy Mage gets a laugh on Christmas morning and then gets worn. A photo of the two of them together makes a duo design.
Put the grandchildren on it
A hoodie or sweatshirt with the grandchildren as superheroes is the one they'll show their friends. Two children can share one design.
Made with the kids
Let the grandchildren choose the style and the super-power. It turns the gift into something they made, not something you bought.
Sent straight to them
Live a long way away? Enter their address at checkout and it goes to them by tracked post, or have it delivered to you to wrap.
Choosing
Styles that suit grandparents
14 art styles and 11 super-powers. These are good places to start.
| If they're… | Try this style | And this power |
|---|---|---|
| Into history or a good costume drama | Medieval Epic | Fire |
| The gardener or walker | Fantasy Mage | Nature |
| The tinkerer with a shed | Steampunk Explorer | Gravity |
| The one who reads bedtime stories | Classic Storybook | Telekinesis |
| The film fan | Cinematic Hero | Lightning |
| Grew up on comics | Comic Hero | Speed |
Not sure? Make two or three and choose together: 5 designs a day are free, and nothing is printed until you order. Garments and prices for every age are on the gifts page.
Photos
Getting a good photo
- A face that fills a good part of the frame and looks roughly at the camera works best.
- Old prints are fine: take a sharp phone photo of the picture in even daylight, without glare.
- For a duo, use a photo with both faces clear and pick both when you upload it.
- Glasses are fine if they're clear; sunglasses hide too much.
Accounts are held by adults. If you upload a photo of a child, you confirm you're their parent or guardian, or have permission. The photo is used only to create the artwork, and only a watermarked preview is ever visible outside your account. Details are in our privacy policy.
Timing
Will it arrive in time?
Every item is printed to order at a UK print facility and delivered by tracked post, typically 3 to 7 working days from ordering. Your confirmation email shows an estimated delivery date for the address you chose, and you get another email when it goes into production and one with tracking when it ships.
- A birthday or anniversary: order a week ahead to be safe.
- Christmas: early December is comfortable. We'll publish the final order date on the Christmas gifts page once the print facility confirms it.
- Christmas: our last recommended order date for UK delivery before Christmas is . See Christmas gift ideas.
- Christmas: Christmas delivery has closed for this year; new orders will arrive after Christmas.
Real AI designs
A few of the styles
Every one of these started as an ordinary photo.
Answers
Questions about gifts for grandparents
What's a good personalised gift for grandparents?
One that's about the family. There are two ways to do it here: turn nan or grandad into an original superhero, or put the grandchildren's superhero design on an adult hoodie or t-shirt for nan or grandad to wear. Either way it starts from an ordinary family photo, takes about five minutes, and is printed to order in the UK.
Can the grandchildren help make it?
Yes, and it's half the fun. Let them choose the art style and the super-power, then look at the designs together and pick a favourite. The account has to belong to an adult, and you only pay when you order.
Can I put nan and grandad in one design?
Yes. Upload a photo of the two of them and pick both faces, and they appear together in one design. The same works for two grandchildren. For a whole family, make one design per person in the same style for a matching set.
Will an old photo work?
Usually, as long as the face is clear, reasonably large in the picture and looking roughly towards the camera. A phone photo of a printed picture is fine if it's sharp and evenly lit. If the first design isn't right, try another photo: 5 designs a day are free.
Is it a real superhero from a film?
No. Every design is a wholly original character with the person's likeness. Hero Merch never copies or depicts a branded, licensed or trademarked superhero.
Can it be delivered straight to them?
Yes. Enter their address at checkout and it goes straight to them by tracked post, typically 3 to 7 working days from ordering, UK only. If you'd rather wrap it yourself, have it sent to you. For Christmas, the last recommended order date is shown on the Christmas gifts page once the print facility confirms it.
More ideas
Ready to make their hero?
Any family photo, 14 styles, 11 powers, printed in the UK and sent to any UK address.
⚡ Create a hero