You can get a very nice, well-made Amish made rocking chair for $379, and for another $179 you can get a child sized version as well.

Each one is signed and dated, they really are pretty nice.

We got this outdoor swing and my son, who’s never interested in being outside, went out there all the time. The type with like three seats and a frame.

Why not put that same money into a 529 account and say, "Grandma wanted you to not suffer with student loans as much or at all, here's your 529"? Buying a chair with grandma's money doesn't magically make it grandma's chair. Plus, I could list about 100 chair types/brands which would make your head spin. If you want a chair, get a chair, but a 529 account is more practical than a chair with no physical attachment to Grandma other than using inheritance money to purchase it. This post is practical and not emotional or mean.

Why not use the money to get each of your future kids a hope chest? It's a basic kind of thing that can be repurposed in many ways, isn't so huge that taking it while moving will be an issue, and it won't be hard to find or make one with quality wood.

Beanbag. Its like a hug

I'm kinda with you that Op should look for a a more practical gift. To spell it out more it's getting more and more difficult for younger generations to move out and get a place of their own, so with heirloom furniture the OP is either keeping the furniture till his kids make their way out of shitty apartment rentals to have the space to use a nice rocking chair, or the kids are stuck with guilt every move they make to make room for this chair that isn't just a chair it's an emotional attachment.

You can put the money in an educational trust for your children. MIL started to slip with alzheimer's. Before we lost her completely, we had her put money in a prepaid educational account for our kids. She also prepaid her funeral. Remember her with your children's education.

In my outdoor environment, I've never had wooden outdoor furniture last tremendously long even if I bring it in in the winter.

If you do opt for wood, I would recommend getting furniture that has metal bracket connections instead of just wood joints. Those are the sections that will wiggle away from each other over time. A woodworker told me that after I complained how short outdoor furniture lasts.

What types of things did your grandmother love? You could buy an antique piece or Amish made furniture that reminds you of her. A nice handmade quilt, a piece of jewelry, art, etc. What would grandma buy you if she was buying you a gift for 1k? If you want an heirloom piece, I don't think I would purchase a piece of outdoor furniture, it wears quicker in the elements.

Maybe have one commissioned by some wood worker and get her name engraved on it. So you know youre getting quality and it explicitly honors her.