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."
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.
