6 Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day

by Victoria M. Johnson

Grandparents Day became a national holiday in 1978 and is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day.  For 2018 that day is September 9.

According to a post on the Very Well Family website, the holiday came about when a West Virginia mother, Marian McQuade, "while helping to organize a community celebration for those over 80, became aware of the many nursing home residents who were forgotten by their families. She wanted a holiday to bring attention to these forgotten individuals and to honor all grandparents."  And McQuade intended the holiday to be noncommercial and more about family and celebrating generational connections.

The Holidays Calendar website states the purposes of Grandparents Day is: 1) to commemorate and pay respect to grandparents, 2) to recognize the importance that older people can have on the lives of the young, and 3) to give said grandparents the opportunity to show love and support for their children’s children.

 

It all sounds good to me!  So what can we do to celebrate the grandparents and grandchildren in our lives? 

photo by Thais Morais

Here are a few ideas:

1.  Call or visit

This one is obvious.  Grandparents love to hear from their children and grandchildren any time of the year.

2.  Take a walk

It doesn’t get any simpler than this.  A stroll around the neighborhood, the beach, or anywhere in nature is good for exercise and bonding.

3.  Complete a puzzle together  

This sounds fun.  Visit while you all put your heads together to assemble the pieces.

4.  Make a video together

You don't need an expensive camera to make a movie.  Just use your smart phone to record, edit, and watch.  The video can be anything you like: a How-to, an interview, cooking demonstration, singing, etc.  Keep it short, three or so minutes, so you can finish and watch it in one visit. 

5.  Cook for your grandparents

Instead of grandma cooking for you, cook up a special meal for your grandparents.  The kids can help prepare or bake the dessert ahead of time.   Or grandma may want to cook with the kids.

6.  Start a new tradition together

Grandparents can take the lead on this and create a simple, meaningful, and fun new tradition.  On the GaGa Sisterhood website, Donne Davis says, "Rituals don’t have to be big. But they should have a purpose and be personal. Make them direct and active as possible and fun is always a plus." 

Finally, here is a link to 25 adorable DIY gift ideas on the Dating Divas website.

These craft projects can be made as a gift or they can be a fun activity for children to make with their grandparents.  The ideas for handprints and footprints are my favorites. 

In the words of Alex Haley, "Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children."  And Grandparents Day is a day to show our appreciation for them. (Actually, it is a day to honor any elderly person who you appreciate).  What will you do?  Let us know in the comments below.

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma.  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.