Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.
Alex Haley
Grandparents hold a special place in our hearts, and for good reason. The connection we have with our grandparents is, in a way, even stronger than the one we have with our mom and dad. Grandparents are always happy to see us, always make time for us, and will invariably say “Yes” to (almost) anything just to make us smile. Let’s face it: Grandparents make us feel loved and adored beyond measure. Who doesn’t have fond memories of getting spoiled with gifts and treats from grandma and grandpa? That’s what grandparents do best.
And grandparents are such a big deal that there’s even a nationally recognized holiday dedicated to them — National Grandparents’ Day!
In honor of this special day, let’s learn more about how it came to be along with some ideas for showing our grandparents how much we treasure them.
A brief history of National Grandparents’ Day
Two individuals are mostly responsible for the establishment of National Grandparents’ Day: Jacob Reingold and Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade.
In 1961, Reingold helped facilitate the first Grandparents’ Day at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, in the Bronx. Two years later, the borough recognized Grandparents’ Day as an official holiday.
McQuade, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, started a campaign in 1970 to establish a special day of recognition for grandparents, and her idea caught the attention of Sen. Jennings Randolph of West Virginia. Largely through their efforts, Grandparents’ Day was established as a statewide holiday in 1973 and a national holiday in 1978.
National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day.
Why do we celebrate National Grandparents’ Day?
The proclamation making National Grandparents’ Day a national holiday declares it as a time to “honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
While the day is dedicated to thanking grandparents for their love and support, it is also a time to make children aware of the great wisdom their grandparents and other elderly community members have, and how they can learn from them.
7 ways to celebrate National Grandparents’ Day
There are so many things you can do on National Grandparents’ Day to show grandma and grandpa your appreciation for how much they’ve shaped your life. Just the simple act of setting aside some time for them and letting them know you care has numerous benefits, for young and old alike.
Here are seven simple yet heartwarming ideas they’re sure to love.
1. Send them a hand-written note
Can’t make it in person? Surprise grandma and grandpa with a heartfelt letter written by hand. Include a photo of you together to really pull at their heartstrings.
2. Tend to their yard or garden
Show an interest in their prized garden by giving it some TLC! Whether it be simply watering the plants, pulling the weeds, or actually planting some seeds, grandma and grandpa will surely appreciate the thought and effort.
3. Take them out to lunch
Cater to their favorite cuisine, or surprise them with a unique dining experience they have never tried before. If you want to be a little more hands-on, you can cook them a meal or have one delivered to their home.
4. Bond over the arts
Does grandpa love to watch classic films? Or maybe grandma loves to paint. Find out their favorite artistic activity and indulge in a day discussing favorites, swapping masterpieces, or embarking on a new artistic venture together.
5. Ask them to share stories and photos of their youth
Grandma and grandpa have a long history together, most of which you probably don’t even know about. Serve up some coffee and desserts and ask them to share some of their fondest and most interesting memories — you may be surprised at what you learn!
6. Spend time doing their favorite activity
Be it baking, fishing, or even dancing, join them in partaking in their favorite pastime. You may find you enjoy it just as much as they do!
7. Surprise them with a framed photo
Enlist the help of family members to dig up old photos of the two of them together. Then, gift them this photo framed and ready for hanging.
Gift ideas for Grandparents’ Day
For National Grandparents’ Day, you can find creative and unique gift ideas for grandparents they’ll truly appreciate, from practical items they can use to stunning keepsakes they’ll never forget.
1. First Grandparents’ Day gift ideas
Grandparents will always remember their very first Grandparents’ Day, whether they just welcomed their first grandchild or are still awaiting the baby’s arrival. Commemorate this special occasion with a set of ceramic coffee mugs they can use every day that proudly proclaim their new titles of Grandmother and Grandfather. These adorable mugs with heart-shaped handles can be customized with any title, such as Nana, Papa, Gram, Gramps, Grammy, Granddad, or any variation you choose, along with an established date or future “to be” date.
2. Grandparents’ Day gifts from baby
Every new grandparent wants to show off and brag about their sweet grandchild, and a personalized picture frame gives them the perfect way to do just that. This unique design features the loving quote “When a child is born, so is a grandparent” and can be customized with baby’s name, birthdate, and choice of colors. Simply add baby’s adorable photo to complete this sweet and memorable Grandparents’ Day gift from baby.
3. Gifts from toddlers & preschoolers
What better way to ensure even more cookies and treats from grandma and grandpa than gifting them the perfect place to stash them? This personalized cookie jar is big enough to hold sweets for all the grandkids and can be customized with up to 21 names featured in a word art heart design. Choose from different color options and pre-fill the jar with sweets to get your grandparents started.
4. Gifts from multiple kids or cousins
This soft and warm photo blanket makes a great gift for grandparents from kids. It can be customized with a variety of color options along with your own text and photos. Get the kids involved by having them choose the nine photos featured in the photo collage and come up with a fun saying for grandma and granddad to enjoy, or simply include all the grandkids’ names.
5. Gifts from tweens & teens
As Nana and Papa get older, they might start to become forgetful, especially if they have a lot of grandchildren to remember — and all their birthdays! Your creative teens and tweens can help their grandparents remember all their blessings with a canvas print listing their grandchildren’s names and birthdays. This unique model can be personalized with up to 30 names and dates along with an established year, creating a beautiful and memorable piece of wall decor they can enjoy and boast about.
6. Gifts for grandmas
Surprise grandma with a keepsake she’ll treasure always with a custom engraved photo necklace you can personalize just for her. This delicate photo pendant will hold any photo you choose and is engraved with a loving message or the names of her grandkids.
7. Gifts for grandpas
Make grandpa feel special with his very own pocket pillow to hold his reading glasses, TV remote, favorite snacks, book, magazine, e-reader, and more. This manly designed throw pillow declares his spot on the sofa or chair, giving it a practical use he can appreciate.
8. Long-distance Grandparents’ Day gifts
For those who won’t get to see their grandparents this year, a special keepsake gift is the perfect way to share your love. This unique wooden postcard can be customized with any message, making it a personal gift that comes straight from the heart. Include it with a photo album filled with recent family pictures or digital picture frame that will help your grandparents feel close even if they’re far away.
Bonus: First Christmas as grandparents
The holidays are just around the corner, so don’t forget to honor their first Christmas as grandparents with a personalized ornament they can cherish each year. This unique design can be customized with an optional photo on the back along with their titles and year on the front.
