Our grandparents hold a special place in our hearts. They’re a source of comfort, love, and encouragement throughout many stages of our lives. So, with National Grandparents Day quickly approaching, now is a perfect time to honor and celebrate the grandparents in our lives.
National Grandparents Day was first declared a national holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The idea for a holiday celebrating grandparents came from senior rights advocate, Marian McQuade, whose goal was to keep older and younger generations connected. Now, the holiday is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day (this year, it’s Sunday, September 8th).
If you’re looking for fun and memorable things to do with the grandparents in your life this Grandparents Day, here are five great suggestions:
Share a meal
Breaking bread is a powerful way to build a sense of community and connection with those around you. This Grandparents Day, invite loved ones to share a meal and make new memories together. You could prepare a favorite family recipe at home, or if your older loved one lives in a senior living community, you could take them out to a local restaurant. Some senior living communities even have on-campus restaurants so families can enjoy a gourmet meal together without the need to travel.
Make a video montage
Show Grandma and Grandpa your appreciation this Grandparents Day by creating a one-of-a-kind video montage. This could be a video featuring special moments of just the grandchildren or of the entire family. If you don’t have many video clips, you can make a slideshow using still photos with text overlays. Add background music for an extra touch. The best part about a video montage is that grandparents can watch it over and over, whenever they want!
Create a DIY gift
Store-bought gifts are great, but there’s something so wonderful about receiving a gift that was made just for you. Put your DIY (do it yourself) skills to the test by creating something entirely original for the grandparents in your life. It could be a handmade card, poem, or even a knitted sweater or home-baked treats. You can even recruit grandchildren (or great-grandchildren) for arts and crafts projects. The grandparents in your life are sure to cherish anything your family creates for them.
Listen to music together
Ask the older adults in your life about their favorite music. What genres do they enjoy best? Do they have a favorite artist or song? Create a playlist and spend the afternoon listening to tunes together. If you like to sing or play an instrument, you could even learn some of their favorite songs and play them in-person. Music is a universal language that can bridge gaps between older and younger generations. There will always be timeless songs that resonate with people young and old!
Interview your grandparents
Grandparents Day is an ideal occasion to sit down with an older loved one and learn more about their life. You don’t have to conduct a formal interview, although it can be a good idea to record the conversation to preserve their stories. Make a list of questions to ask your grandparent that will spark meaningful conversation. What was their favorite part of their childhood? How did they meet their spouse? What was their first job? What advice do they have for you? For more great questions to ask an older loved one, check out this list from StoryCorps.
When it comes to celebrating Grandparents Day, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. The most important part is spending quality time with the grandparents in your life. Try some of these suggestions, and maybe you’ll start a new family tradition for years to come!
Happy Grandparents Day from all of us at Bethany Village!
