Having Mother’s and Father’s Day on the calendar each year guarantees that we make time to thank and honor our parents, but what about our grandparents? It seems like the older I get, the more thankful I am for my extended family and for my grandparents. September 11 is Grandparents Day, which is usually a holiday I forget about, but not this year. This year, I think it’s time we celebrate grandparents.
Many of us grew up with our grandparents being an important part of our lives. It was their houses we went to for sleepovers and holidays. And, in some cases, grandparents have an active role in raising their grandkids.
I am so blessed that all four of my grandparents lived long enough to see me get married, and my grandmothers are both still living today. Though I live across the country from both of them, I am grateful I can still stay in contact through the cards I send them each month.
But, this year, I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. Are you with me?
Before deciding what to do for your grandparents, I think there are a few questions to consider:
How often you see your grandparents?
You may see your grandparents often, you may see them only once or twice a year, or you may not have seen them in a long time. That makes a big difference in deciding what they would appreciate most from you.
What is your relationship with your grandparent like?
If you have an estranged relationship with a grandparent, sending them a card would likely be a big step for you. But, if you are very close to a grandparent, you know them very well and know exactly what they would like. A small gift would probably be appropriate.
Who are you including in this list of grandparents?
You get to choose who and how you want to celebrate. There are your grandparents, your husband’s grandparents, your children’s grandparents and even godparents. I know the list can start to get really big and may effect this next area. Keep in mind, you don’t have to spend the same amount of money or do the same thing for each group.
What is your budget?
Though I’m sure your grandparents would love to be gifted a cruise, most of us don’t have that kind of budget. And, a big budget is certainly not necessary for showing someone you love them. Either way, decide ahead of time how much you would like to spend on each grandparent and try to treat them equally even if you have closer relationships with some.
After answering those questions, it’s time to decide what to do. Here are a few ideas to think about.
7 Gifts to Celebrate Grandparents
1. Time
This gift is first for a reason. I honestly believe what our grandparents would like most is for us to spend time with them. Not to be a downer, but we don’t know how long our grandparents will be with us, and once they are gone, you can’t get that time back.
2. Practical gifts
Who doesn’t love a practical gift? Think meals, housecleaning services, lawn mowing or chauffeuring them around town. If you are close with a grandparent, you may know their favorite foods, activities or hobbies and be able to choose a gift they would us.
3. Sentimental gift
Admittedly, sentimental gifts are never my first thought. But many grandparents would love a gift that is sweet, like a framed photo of you together, a family photo session, a personalized gift with all the grandkids’ names.
4. Gift from the past
Often, grandparents look back on the past with fondness. A slower, simpler time. If this describes your grandparent, consider getting them an Ancestry.com membership, a book that has facts from the year they were born, or a print of the family tree.
5. Card
Sometimes, the simplest gifts are the most meaningful. It doesn’t cost much money or take a lot of time to write a short note in a greeting card saying that you love and appreciate your grandparent.
6. DIY gift
This is a great idea for young grandchildren to do, but even adults can make homemade gifts. Turn whatever your hobby is, from soap making to vinyl printing to painting, into a gift for your grandparent. And, even if you aren’t crafty, you could put together a photo collage of family pictures.
7. Phone call
Even if you have a grandparent who is tech savvy enough to email and text, there’s nothing like hearing a person’s voice. A phone call costs nothing but shows that you care.
I’d love to hear what memory is of spending time with a grandparent. Email me or message me on Instagram and share your story with me.
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