It’s National Grandparent’s Day, Let’s Celebrate!
Although it’s not a public holiday, one of the most important events of the year falls on Sunday, 13 September – National Grandparent’s Day! For families across the country, this is a great opportunity to bond with grandparents, celebrate everything they’ve achieved and sacrificed, and have some fun in the sun. Here’s some insight into the history of this special day, as well as ideas for celebrating this National Grandparent’s Day in New Jersey.
Fun Facts About National Grandparent’s Day
Marian McQuade is considered the founder of National Grandparent’s Day. She ran a campaign in 1970 to raise awareness about seniors and have it officially recognized by the federal government. In 1978, she achieved her goal and President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday of September after Labor Day to be recognized as National Grandparent’s Day. The tradition is kept alive by each president, who issues a similar proclamation each year.
The pretty blue forget-me-not is the official flower for the holiday and the official song is Johnny Prill’s “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa.”
How to Celebrate National Grandparent’s Day
You can celebrate this holiday any way you like – it’s all about spending quality time together with family – especially grandchildren! This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many of the events you can usually share with your grandparents are sadly cancelled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. Just remember to keep to COVID-19 guidelines to protect the health of your grandparents, especially if they have underlying health conditions.
Picnic in the park – The weather is beautiful outdoors, so it’s a perfect opportunity to pack a picnic and enjoy a day together. Fill a basket with all your favorite snacks and goodies (remember to pack sunscreen, hats and plenty of water), grab a picnic blanket and head to your local park for a day of playing catch, fishing, and catching up together.
A special treat – If your grandparents are high-risk for COVID-19 or are isolating, then chat to the supervisors or home health aide to see if you can do something special for this holiday. Whether it’s a family video chat, a limited contact visit, or sending a lovely hamper filled with goodies, handmade cards and little gifts, it’s sure to be a wonderful surprise.
Storytime – For many of us (me included!) some of our fondest memories are story time with grandma and grandpa. Whether you can gather together or prefer to use a video chat, it’s a great experience to pass on to younger kids. Pull on your pjs, climb into a blanket fort, cuddle up to grandma or grandpa and listen to a story of adventure together! Here are some great story books to inspire your selection.
Get crafty – Another fun idea is to craft handmade gifts for grandparents, whether they are loving cards, photo albums, painted pictures or even homemade cookies, it will keep the kids entertained and show their grandparents how loved they are. If you are able to craft with your grandparents, then it’s a fun family activity – but you can also do a live video link or surprise them with a delivery at home.
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