Gifts for Grandad

A closer look: Rather than being read cover to cover, it tends to come off the shelf for a quick check before a job: when to sow, how to plant, what to do with a tricky corner. A thoughtful choice for someone taking on their first garden, and slipping in a packet of seeds makes it feel like the start of a project.

Why we picked it: From the Royal Horticultural Society, a proper reference covering planning, sowing, planting and growing, for beginners and experts alike.

• Hardback
• Covers the whole garden
• Lots of photos
• Good for beginners and experts

What owners say: Really informative and easy to navigate, with lots of great photos.

A closer look: Vacuum first, then work the shampoo into one seat at a time, testing it on a hidden patch of fabric before tackling anything obvious. Save the glass until last so any stray spray from the other products gets wiped away; Fast Glass is fine on plastic windows too. A pack of microfibre cloths makes a useful extra in the gift bag.

Why we picked it: From Autoglym, the British car-care brand car people already trust, and it covers the whole interior, from dashboard to seats.

• Interior shampoo
• Fast Glass cleaner
• Vinyl and rubber care

What owners say: Seats come up looking brand new, the glass cleaner cuts through grime, and it smells good too.

A closer look: Left-handed gardeners can use them as easily as right-handers, which isn’t true of every pair. A quick wipe of the blades after pruning helps the non-stick coating keep sap from building up, and at around 230g they’re light enough to carry in a pocket through a whole afternoon of deadheading.

Why we picked it: Japanese SK5 steel blades that slice through stems up to 25mm cleanly, which keeps plants healthier than a crushing cut.

• Japanese SK5 steel
• Cuts up to 25mm
• Lightweight aluminium handles
• Squeeze-to-release lock

What owners say: Extremely sharp and comfortable. Owners say they go through thick stems like a knife through butter.

A closer look: A small amount goes a long way, rubbed well into knuckles and fingertips after the last hand wash of the day. Being unscented, it suits anyone who finds floral hand creams too much, and the tube is small enough to leave by the shed door or in a coat pocket. Tuck it in alongside new gardening gloves as a stocking filler.

Why we picked it: A concentrated cream made for dry, cracked hands. Gardeners and builders swear by it.

• Highly concentrated
• For dry, cracked skin
• Glycerin barrier
• 80ml tube

What owners say: Works almost instantly on cracked hands and soaks in quickly.

A closer look: Long best-before dates mean it can be bought well ahead and tucked away until the day, and the tartan sleeve saves any wrapping. Add a favourite mug for a fuller present, or take it along when visiting so the kettle can go on and the box can be opened together.

Why we picked it: Edinburgh tea, Scottish shortbread and Walkers biscuits, gift-boxed for two. Ready-made for a cuppa and a catch-up.

• Brodies Edinburgh tea
• Scottish shortbread
• Walkers biscuits
• Gift boxed for two

What owners say: A nice selection, lovely tea and very good value. The Walkers biscuits are a hit.

A closer look: Tighten the wrist strap before clearing hedge cuttings or leaf litter so debris can’t drop inside. Split leather dries stiff after a soaking, so let wet gloves dry slowly at room temperature, away from the radiator, and flex them in your hands afterwards. Being heat resistant, they also cope with a wood stove door or tending a fire pit.

• Split cowhide leather
• Cotton lining
• Reinforced palm
• Adjustable wrist

What owners say: Thorn-proof, heavy-duty and well insulated. Owners use them for everything from roses to log piles.

A closer look: Two books means one can stay by the armchair while the other goes in a bag for waiting rooms, train journeys or a visit to a friend. A set of highlighters makes a nice addition, since found words stand out clearly and nothing needs pressing hard, and a lap tray gives the A4 pages a firm surface.

Why we picked it: Big, clear print on A4 pages, with over 125 puzzles in each book. Hours of pen-in-hand relaxation.

• Extra large print
• A4 size
• 2 books
• 125+ puzzles each

What owners say: Easy to read and great value, with hours of fun for anyone with tired eyes.

A closer look: Bulb planting is where it shines: push it in, rock it to open a slot, and read the depth off the blade, since most bulbs want about two to three times their own height of soil above them. The saw-toothed edge cuts through matted roots when dividing perennials, and the holster’s belt loop keeps it on the hip rather than lost in the border.

Why we picked it: From Spear & Jackson, making tools in Sheffield since 1760. The Japanese-style hori hori digs, weeds, cuts and measures planting depth.

• Stainless steel blade
• Straight and serrated edges
• Depth markings
• Holster included

What owners say: Well made and sturdy, and brilliant for digging out stubborn weeds.

A closer look: Finished, it measures about 68 by 49cm, so it needs a spare table or a puzzle board that can slide out of the way at mealtimes. With no picture to copy, sorting pieces by colour and texture early on pays off, and the clues tucked into the box-lid scene are worth studying before the first piece goes down.

Why we picked it: A Wasgij has a twist: you puzzle out what the character in the picture is seeing, not the scene on the box. Guaranteed to start a conversation.

• 1000 pieces
• Wasgij twist puzzle
• Funny scene
• Great quality pieces

What owners say: Great quality and properly addictive. Much more fun than just copying the box.

Heads up: Wasgijs are trickier than normal jigsaws, which is half the fun.

A closer look: Setting it up before it’s wrapped makes the day easier: connect it to Wi-Fi, pair a few family phones through the Frameo app and send a first batch of pictures, so it greets them with familiar faces. At their house it then needs a plug nearby and their Wi-Fi details, and it can hang on the wall or stand on a sideboard.

Why we picked it: The family can send photos from their phones and they appear on the frame moments later, thanks to the popular Frameo app.

• 10.1-inch HD touchscreen
• Frameo app
• Photos and short videos
• Captions on photos

What owners say: Easy to set up and use, with a crisp screen. Owners love sending photos straight to the frame.