Stardew Valley Grandpa Shrine, Letter & Evaluation Explained
Grandpa’s letter starts your Stardew Valley journey. He gifts you his farm in Pelican Town. By year 3, his ghost returns. He checks your progress in the game at his shrine. Candles at the shrine lit up according to your performance. If you want to light all four candles, then this guide will help you impress Stardew Valley Grandpa! We cover his evaluation, scoring, tips, and rewards. Whether you’re a new farmer or a pro, let’s make Grandpa proud.

Who Is Grandpa in Stardew Valley?
Grandpa is your character’s grandfather. He built the farm you inherit. His letter shares his dream: escape city life, connect with people, and thrive in nature. On Spring 1, Year 3, his ghost visits the shrine. It’s in the northwest corner of your farm. On Meadowlands Farm, it’s across a bridge near the greenhouse. His evaluation measures your success as a farmer.

What Is Stardew Valley Grandpa’s Evaluation?
Grandpa’s evaluation happens on Spring 1, Year 3. It’s a checklist of your achievements. The shrine lights up to four candles, as I said before. More candles mean better progress. You need 12 points to light all four. Points come from earnings, skills, friendships, and more. Don’t worry if you miss it, you can try again
How Does the Scoring System Work?
Stardew Valley Grandpa’s evaluation uses a point system. You can earn up to 21 points. Here’s how to score big:
Total Earnings (7 points max)
Earning 2001_87ea45-03> | Points You Get 2001_0b1775-aa> |
---|---|
50,000g 2001_6e79c4-24> | 1 2001_80f3de-eb> |
100,000g 2001_db4fc3-5a> | 1 2001_131c3f-f9> |
200,000g 2001_42bc13-4c> | 1 2001_562f26-a8> |
300,000g 2001_45023e-c8> | 1 2001_558631-27> |
500,000g 2001_0cb2f8-07> | 1 2001_fc31df-19> |
1,000,000g 2001_f39bcc-11> | 2 2001_3ea931-16> |
Tip: Sell crops like Starfruit or animal products to boost earnings fast.
Skill Levels (2 points max)
Skill 2001_dd8295-7a> | Points You Get 2001_59c65e-19> |
---|---|
Gain 30 skill levels total 2001_245a6e-2c> | 1 2001_a63bb6-5d> |
Max all skills (level 10 each) 2001_5c981e-10> | 1 2001_32a6dd-83> |
Tip: Fish, mine, and farm daily to level up quickly.
Achievements (3 points max)
Achievement 2001_ddf228-6b> | Points You Get 2001_0dd498-cc> |
---|---|
Catch every fish (Master Angler) 2001_e9fc9e-b7> | 1 2001_0a94fd-63> |
Ship every item (Full Shipment) 2001_f4d5af-9a> | 1 2001_bc1af8-e9> |
Complete the museum collection (A Complete Collection) 2001_825621-1d> | 1 2001_c699af-9d> |
Tip: These are tough, so focus more on earnings or friendships instead.
Friendship (4 points max)
To-do 2001_46f6bd-5b> | Points You Get 2001_95be1e-a7> |
---|---|
Marry and upgrade your house twice 2001_3cb87c-61> | 1 2001_8e6507-93> |
Reach eight-heart friendships with five villagers 2001_62fce6-10> | 1 2001_ccba7c-eb> |
Reach eight-heart friendships with ten villagers 2001_7e01a5-09> | 1 2001_251989-43> |
Bond with your pet (five hearts) 2001_967eba-af> | 1 2001_037bdf-1f> |
Tip: Give loved gifts like Prismatic Shards to villagers daily.
Story Milestones (5 points max)
To-do 2001_8e8c14-22> | Points You Get 2001_ea5511-50> |
---|---|
Complete the Community Center 2001_0bb2a5-79> | 1 2001_ee8cd1-a8> |
Attend the Community Center ceremony 2001_3cfaec-87> | 2 2001_41af86-3a> |
Get the Skull Key (Mines floor 120) 2001_2c144c-9d> | 1 2001_0321cb-52> |
Get the Rusty Key (donate 60 museum items) 2001_f334af-c7> | 1 2001_fc89c4-75> |
Tip: Finish Community Center bundles early for easy points.
What Do the Candles Mean?
The shrine’s candles show your score:
- 0–3 points: 1 candle.
- 4–7 points: 2 candles.
- 8–11 points: 3 candles.
- 12+ points: 4 candles.
Check the shrine anytime to see your progress. Four candles unlock a special reward!
How to Ace Grandpa’s Evaluation
Want all four candles? Try these tips:
- Focus on Easy Points: Earn 1,000,000g for 7 points. Complete the Community Center for 3 points. That’s 10 points already!
- Befriend Villagers: Chat daily and give gifts. Reach eight hearts with five villagers for 1 point.
- Pet Your Pet: Pet your cat or dog every day. Five hearts earn 1 point.
- Get the Rusty Key: Donate 60 items to the museum. It’s an easy 1 point.
- Start Early: Plant high-value crops like Cauliflower in Year 1. Save money for house upgrades.
- Avoid Joja: Choosing Joja Warehouse skips Community Center points. Stick with bundles!
- New players: Don’t stress. Focus on farming and friendships first.
What’s the Reward?
Light all four candles? You get the Statue of Perfection! It’s a lucky cat made of iridium. Place it on your farm. It gives 2–8 Iridium Ore daily. Interact with the shrine to claim it. Pro tip: Save ore for tools or sell it for cash!
Can You Redo the Evaluation?
Missed four candles? No problem! Place a diamond in Grandpa’s shrine. Stardew Valley Grandpa returns the next day or season. He rechecks your progress. Keep improving your farm. Try as many times as you need. Diamonds are rare, so mine in the Skull Cavern to find them.
Grandpa’s Story and Pelican Town
Grandpa’s letter isn’t just a plot device. It’s his heart. He left city life for Pelican Town. He valued community, hard work, and nature. His farm was his legacy. Did he know Pierre’s family? Was he friends with the Wizard? We don’t know, but his spirit ties you to the town. Light those candles to honor him.
Mods and Grandpa’s Shrine
Love mods? Stardew Valley Expanded (SVE) changes things. Grandpa’s Shrine hides behind a waterfall on Grandpa’s Farm map. The evaluation stays the same. Most mods don’t affect scoring. Check your mod’s notes to be sure. Modders: Share your Grandpa Stardew Valley tips in the comments!
FAQ’s | Grandpa Stardew Valley
Conclusion
Grandpa’s evaluation is your chance to shine. Light those four candles. Show Pelican Town your hard work. Grow crops, make friends, and build a legacy. The Statue of Perfection is awesome, but Grandpa’s pride is better. What’s your best tip for impressing Grandpa? Share below!