How to Celebrate Grandparents Day

The origins of Grandparents Day were slow to start. In 1969, a little boy sent President Nixon a letter suggesting there should be a day to celebrate grandparents. It was declined for the time being, but that wasn’t the end of things. For nearly ten years, activist Marian McQuade fought for a day recognizing our older family members, and in 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed it into fruition. He was determined the first Sunday following Labor Day would be known as “National Grandparents Day.”

Though a nationally recognized holiday, it often passes by unnoticed. This should not be the case. Grandparents shower their grandchildren, and their children, with love and wisdom throughout the year, and they deserve to receive the same attention.

If you’re left wondering how to celebrate Grandparents Day, don’t spend too much time agonizing over it. Below are a few ways for grandchildren of all ages to celebrate the holiday with their grandparents.

Ideas for Younger Grandchildren

Just because children don’t have the monetary resources to show their grandparents love and appreciation, it doesn’t mean they can’t do it in their own way.

Make a card

Store-bought cards are always sweet gestures, but hand-made cards from one’s grandchildren are the fastest way to melt a senior’s heart. Whether decorated with drawings, stickers, or any other crafty materials, grandparents will appreciate the effort their loved ones put into the gesture. Bonus points if the inside contains a heartfelt note.

Make a coupon book

Instead of buying grandparents a helpful service, grandchildren can offer up their own helping hands. Kids can create a “coupon book” of services and activities that their grandparents can “cash in” whenever they please. The booklet could contain chores, like yard work and dishes, or fun events, like a movie night or a walk together.

Create something together

Whether a master woodworker or skilled painter, many grandparents have craft skills to share. Grandchildren can enjoy an afternoon creating something together—whether it’s a shared painting or a birdhouse. Their grandparents can then display their creations in their homes and cherish the physical reminder of their time spent together.

Ideas for Adults

While grandparents would appreciate any expression of love, handmade cards are a little less sweet coming from an adult. If you’re looking for a special gift to celebrate Grandparents Day, start with these options.

Make their favorite treat

For many seniors, cooking and baking aren’t as easy or pleasant as they once were. As a result, their favorite meals or sweets are enjoyed far and few between. Think about whatever meals or treats your grandparents enjoy, and make them for them. It is an inexpensive way to show you care that they’ll most certainly treasure.

Buy matching DNA kits

On average, seniors love sharing stories about their family history with their loved ones. Give them a better insight into their history by purchasing matching DNA kits. There are a variety of options at different price points, so you can find the option that is best for them. In buying matching kits, you can see where your culture lines up, and where it differs between generations.

Host a family reunion

More often than not, your grandparents only get to see one side of the family at a time. Family gatherings, if they occur, mainly happen around the holiday season. Bring the whole family together on Grandparent’s Day by hosting a family reunion.

Even if the whole family roughly lives in the same area, this will require a great deal of planning. However, your grandparents will be blown away by the gesture. Consider making the event a surprise, so long as your grandparents aren’t opposed to them.

Make your grandparents feel appreciated every day

While having a set-in-stone holiday to show our fondness for our grandparents is fantastic, it shouldn’t be limited to one day. Throughout the year, do little things to make your grandparents’ lives easier. This could mean running the occasional errand for them, doing dishes, or helping with meal preparation.

As they age, however, they may need more help than they once did. If that’s the case, it may be time to call upon the help of a qualified caregiver. At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our caregivers can help with all of your loved one’s non-medical activities of daily living, including:

• Personal care
• Meal preparation
• Medication reminders and management
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Errands
• Brain games and activities
• Companionship and social interaction

If you think your elderly loved one would benefit from the help of an in-home caregiver, call us at 773-274-9262.