Grandparents’ Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of October, this year being 3rd. It isn’t a holiday that is celebrated much in the UK as it has only been an official holiday since 2008. Nevertheless, this is a great day to appreciate and have your grandparents in your memory if not by your side, a holiday that should be celebrated more often!
Grandparents are so important for all of us to keep grounded, feel true care and love from and tell us all the crazy stories of their lifetime. For many of us, we wouldn’t be the people we are without them.
Grandparents are the head of the family and deserve the upmost respect, here are some ways in which you can make Grandparents’ Day extra special:
- Get them flowers to plant in their garden
- Spend valuable time with them
- Eat their favourite food with them
- Help them with their shopping/cleaning/ironing
- Ask them questions about when they were younger
- If able to, try a form of their favourite exercise with them such as walking
- Buy a nice bottle of their favourite liquor (if they drink)
- Create a quiz for them related to pop culture or topics they enjoy from the era they grew up in
- Show them appreciation for what they do and highlight what they have achieved no matter how big or small
- Bake a cake/cook some dinner with them
If you are suffering a loss of one of your grandparents are, here are some ways to light up yours/their day:
- Get out the photo books and re-live the memories!
- Buy a candle of their favourite scent and light it all day
- Reminisce on great holidays/days out you had together
- Learn a recipe that your grandparent used/enjoy a meal they loved
- Go to their favourite place
- Learn to celebrate their life and happiness they brought to you all
- Talk about them
- Plant a tree or dedicate a bench to them
- If their belongings can’t be used for something, turn them into something else that you will use e.g., turning a piece of clothing into a bear’s outfit
- Don’t dwell on unpleasant memories; it’s not worth agonising over what could have been
- Put on some music and dance, sing or create something to remember them by
- If the loss is too recent and still raw, don’t feel bad for not celebrating. Your mental health is important and should not be overlooked
For many of us, Grandparents are the backbone of our family, they set the tone for the future generations and can bring balance to families due to them growing up in a different era, gaining different knowledge, seeing amazing and iconic moments and learning to have patience and gratitude that comes with being older. We can learn so much from them and they give us hope for a better future whilst sill reminding us of the “Good old days!” And for some people, Grandparents may be the first people who showed them what love really was or what it looked like. It can remind you that true love still exists and the beauty within growing old together, whilst watching your family grow too.
In my experience, my grandparents love has taught me so much over the years, but most of all it teaches you kindness and patience on another level to what parents are sometimes capable of. Their lives aren’t so fast-paced, they’re older and have learned more life lessons, they have intense love for grandchildren and the classic “I can send them home once I’m tired of them!” – jokingly said, but honestly those factors make such a difference when it comes to feeling heard and cared for, they just have that extra bit of knowledge and time that is priceless.
To all the fantastic Grandparents out there, we appreciate you! Grandkids, keep doing your thing and living life, but remember to show your Grandparents what they mean to you in the way in which you know best. For those missing someone this year, our thoughts are with you and their love will be with you always!
Chloe is a junior account manager and content writer with a passion for beauty.
Jennifer is a content creator and a SEO Executive.
