Grandparents Day

A Bit of History

In 1970, Marian McQuade campaigned for a special day to honor grandparents in her home state of West Virginia. With the help of state senators, she successfully saw the first Grandparents' Day celebrated in West Virginia in 1973. Word of the event spread, and in 1978, the United States Congress proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day National Grandparents' Day.

Celebrating Grandparents' Day

To some, it may seem like just another "Hallmark holiday," designed to sell cards. However, it doesn't have to be. Consider the following ideas to commemorate Grandparents' Day in a meaningful way:

• Don't just send a card; send a letter, preferably in the grandchild's own handwriting - While a card is a nice way to show you care, a letter with news from your life is even more fun to receive. A letter written by a young child just increases the cuteness factor.
• Send a homemade gift or drawing - Your grandparents will appreciate the time you put in to your creation and treasure it more than any retail trinket.
• Visit - If you live nearby, clear your calendar, and make a point of stopping by. A few hours of your time can mean a lot.
• Call - If you can't visit in person, your grandparents would still love to hear your voice.
• Host a dinner in honor of your grandparents - Your grandparents have provided enough meals for your family over the years. Why not return the favor?
• Plan an outing - Take the grandparents out for a special day at the park, the zoo, or the movies. Make it an event that all generations can enjoy together.
• Create a scrapbook or photo album - Sit down with your grandparents and piles of old photos, and create a lasting memento of your family's history.
• Talk about family history - Dedicate the day to learning more about the past, and listen carefully to your grandparents' stories. Record them on tape, or write them down to create a lasting record of your family's history. If you're interested in genealogy, you can also use this time to expand on your family tree.
• Plan a school or church event - Taking part in a special dinner or presentation can help you honor grandparents on a larger scale.
• Ask your grandparents to teach you about their favorite hobby - Whether they prefer birdwatching or gardening, they'll enjoy the chance to spend time with you, and the chance to share a favorite pastime.
• Don't forget about Grandparents' Day just because you're "all grown up" - Your grandma or grandpa will still appreciate hearing from you even if you're too old to present them with crayon drawings.

These suggestions are all well and good for Grandparents' Day, but who says you have to wait until September? You can use these ideas to celebrate and honor the grandparents in your lives every day of the year.

Additional Resources

If you're looking for more ideas and resources to help you honor grandparents, the following sites can provide helpful information:

• For more background on the holiday and celebration ideas, visit the official site of The National Grandparents Day Council, created by descendents of the day's founder.
• LoveToKnow Crafts offers several suggestions for crafts that are perfect for grandparents.
• In "Ten Great Activities for Grandparents' Day," Education World suggests ways for teachers to incorporate the celebration in the classroom.
• The educational resource abcteach offers printable activities for children, including blank cards, grandma and grandpa coloring pages, and word searches.

• Pictures of Hairstyles for Mature Women
• Short Hair Styles for Seniors
• Hairstyles for Mature Women
• Hairstyles for Older Women
• Baby Boomer Hairstyles

• Women Who Raise Their Grandchildren
• Grandparent Rights Education
• Noncustodial Visitation in Regards to Grandparents
• Good Senior Quotes
• Gifts for Grandparents

• Clothing for Mature Women
• Elderly Hairstyles
• Senior Activity Ideas