With the flurry of holidays soon approaching, it can be tough to remember some of the modern days of celebration.  From trying to keep family birthdays and anniversaries from not being forgotten, Grandparents Day can often fall though the cracks. 

In 1978, former President Carter proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day would be celebrated as National Grandparent’s Day.  Since then, retail and specialty stores have worked to market Grandparents Day into a profitable way to honor the generations of our families.

Grandparents Day doesn’t have to be another day that generates pressure to purchase gifts and cards.  Getting your children involved in recognizing their grandparents is a great way to ensure this day doesn’t go unnoticed or become overly expensive.

Ask almost any grandparent what they hold dear in their heart and they’re sure to answer “family.”  Incorporating creativity and heartfelt sentiments that highlight your child’s relationship with his grandparents will send a grandparent’s spirits soaring this Grandparent’s Day. 

1.  Give the gift of time – With the hectic schedules and routines or practices, homework, play dates and extra curricular activities, it can be hard for you child to find time to spend with his grandparents.  Let this year be the year that starts a Grandparents Day tradition of your child spending an afternoon with his grandparents.  Whether they’re enjoying a walk through the park, taking in a movie, or rummaging through the attic the time spent together gives them both insight into each other’s lives and strengthens the bond that busy lives can sometimes erode.

Kids can take it one step further and make a coupon book to give at Grandparents Day.  Giving certificates that entitle the holder to weekend together,

2.  Honorary is important too! – Unfortunately, fate and distance might make it impossible to spend Grandparents Day together.  Whether your child’s grandparents are their guardian angel or live out of state, spending the day reflecting on their life, family legacy and love for your child helps celebrate the day.  If there is a special ‘adopted grandparent’ or extended family member in your child’s life, spending the day with that person offers the benefit of sharing a loving and supportive relationship.

3.  Book the day – The chance to author and bind a family heirloom book is a wonderful opportunity for children.  Help younger children connect written words to language as they dictate their story.  Older kids can chronicle their favorite moments spent with their grandparents or share how their grandparents have helped to shape the person they are.  Incorporate personalized illustrations that show your child’s love for his grandparents.  You can take your book to a local office supply and copying outlet to bind or laminate the pages for your child to give his grandparents. 

4.  Showcase his school work - Another option is compiling some of your child’s art work, spelling tests and homework pages and binding them into a coffee table brag book to give to his grandparents.  You’ll find a way to reduce the clutter on your refrigerator and his grandparents will love to browse through his work.

5.  Hand in hand – Help your child draw around her Grandparent's hand and then place her own hand inside the larger outline.  Together, they can embellish the prints with finger or puffy craft paints, beading or whatever your child and her grandparent choose.  Another idea is to make the grandparent's handprint in red or yellow paint.  After it dries, overlap child's handprint using blue or green finger paint.  You can also cast both hands side by side in 3/4" deep plaster and add decorative beads or stones to make a garden stone or decoration to set next to the fireplace.  Adding the date and place they made this masterpiece ensures it’ll be an item to treasure forever.

6.  Sow the seeds of love – Instead of sending a plant or bouquet to mark the day, why not suggest your child start an aromatherapy window garden to give to his grandparents.  Planting seeds of lavender and mint into a pot adorned with flower thumb prints, or hand written phrases of admiration is sure to be appreciated on any grandparent’s window ledge or counter.

7.  Pass on the secret family recipes – We’ve all tried -- often in vain -- to replicate a favorite dish made immortal by our own grandparents.  Giving your children the chance to create their favorite meals with their grandparents provides the chance to admire their grandparent’s culinary abilities and perhaps even learn what the secret ‘Grandma ingredient’ in the meal is. 

8.  Know your family tree – Do you know where your grandparents were born?  Do your children know their ethnic heritage or what country their family originated in?  Use this day as an opportunity for the current generations of your family to learn about each other and your ancestors.  Purchasing a subscription to an on-line database found at www.geneology.com or www.ancestry.com for your child and his grandparents to research together is a gift to build upon.  You’ll all enjoy sharing information and learning about your family together.

9.  Then and now – Leaf through old family photos to find a picture of previous generations.  Have your child and his grandparents pose in a situation similar to the old photo and frame them side by side.  Make a collage of family photos for your children to note and admire their resemblances to all of their grandparents.

10.  Frame it – If compiling letters and collecting thoughts to fill a book is too overwhelming for your child, suggest he write a letter to his grandparents.  Selecting stationery and a colored pen or pencil that suits your child’s personality add genuine touches to the letter.  Consider matting and framing the note to sit upon a nightstand, bureau or hall table and constantly remind the grandparent how much they’re treasured. 

Realizing that occasions such as Grandparents Day offer a wonderful chance to spend time with your family relieves some of the holiday pressure.  However your family opts to celebrate Grandparent’s Day, you’ll all certainly add beautiful memories to cherish for many years just by taking the time to honor each other. 

For additional historical information or craft ideas please visit:  National Grandparent’s Day www.grandparents-day.com.