Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September after Labor Day, and it is the perfect opportunity to spend time with the grandparents we love so much!
Grandparents Day History, Activities, and Gift Ideas
Grandparents Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, that’s Sunday, September 10! While we honor our grandparents every day, take an extra moment to appreciate all the joy and wisdom that grandparents bring to our lives.
Why Do We Celebrate Grandparents Day?
The History of Grandparents Day
Marian McQuade hoped to establish a national day that would honor grandparents, and in 1970 she began a campaign to do so. McQuade raised awareness about senior citizens throughout the 1970s. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. Each year, the president issues a proclamation to keep the tradition going.
Grandparents Day has both an official flower and a song. Both were chosen by the National Grandparents Day Council.
Read Next
- The official flower is the forget-me-not.
- The official song is Johnny Prill’s “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa.”
Grandparents Day Dates
Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day (the first Monday in September).
| Year | Grandparents Day |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Sunday, September 10 |
| 2024 | Sunday, September 8 |
| 2025 | Sunday, September 7 |
| 2026 | Sunday, September 12 |
Grandparents Day Activities and Gifts
Most grandparents don’t care what activity they do—they just want to spend time with their grandchildren.
If you have a grandparent, ask them to show you one of their favorite hobbies. Let your grandparents teach you a skill, like how to fish. Or, perhaps they enjoy garden walks or nature hikes. If your grandparent would prefer a calm day, ask them to show you their favorite classic movie.
Or, perhaps it would be fun to make arts and crafts together. We have a bunch of seasonal crafts to try from making hollyhock flower dolls to an autumn nut wreath.
Maybe you can bring them some treats, like Grandpa’s Banana Bread or Grandmother’s Blueberry Cake, both made by talented grandparents. Or, try making one of the dishes that your grandparents usually make for you.
If your grandparent does not live nearby, give them a phone call and make them a card! Even if the card doesn’t arrive by Grandparents Day, they’ll always appreciate a handwritten card which shows your thoughtfulness. Here are a few simple tips on how to write a proper thank you note (We’ll bet your grandparents know this!). You can even make a homemade card (with a potato!).
No matter what, the best Grandparents Day activity involves you and your grandparents together, celebrating your family and each other.
Photo Credit: Crestock
Happy Grandparents Day!
On Grandparents Day, it really is the thought that counts—just make sure your grandparents know that you’re thinking of them.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate Grandparents Day? Let us know below, and happy Grandparents Day!
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Hopefully this will never kick off as a thing.
It's bad enough they hijack Mothers day and expect it to be like a birthday.
My church New Life Presbyterian Church celebrate our grandparents every year, We submit pictures of our grandparents to the church office and a slide presentation is developed and shown during the Sunday church service. We we were worshipping in the sanctuary we had a special program about grandparents, This year we will honor the grandparents with a drive through to pick up a token gift.
Sumitted By Carrie L. Robinson
We the grandparents of G.E.M. - Grandparents Empowerment Movement, WE celebrate Grandparents Day at our churches in giving Lesson on What A Grandparents part in our Life. Thanks,Love & hugs to the grandchildren Celebration All Grandparents, Great Grandparents for 2020
For Families that CARE, LOVE & Help Each Other!!
I have been celebrating Grand Parents Day since I could remember. My grandma was so instrumental in my life and the life-lessons she shared with me were priceless. When my children were born 16years ago I would have them send gifts/cards to my husbands parents and they said they never heard of such a thing, now they’re aware of it and look forward to the day. Thank you President Carter for this beautiful date to show appreciation to our grand parents.
i like this grandparents is a big thing of life
Grandparents day is Special day spending time with your grandmother and your grandfather show them love they like love that and spend time with them for go to the park or Restaurants that’s Mades there day extra Special because you love them give them hugs and kisses full of love you are Special grandson and Granddaughter
My Granddaughter gave me a Big Hug this morning before Church, and she left a homemade card on my Pillow tonight a picture of she and I and a I Love You Nana ! She is a Blessing from God !
Good-Night John-Boy.
How we long to celebrate Grandparents Day!... we got to be grandparents for a short time in our boys lives, and relished it! But then their mother (really our niece, whose own Mom passed) became unable to care for them and we abruptly became parents. It's a whole different thing. No mothers or fathers day because we AREN'T their parents. no Grandparents Day because we ARE.
As more and more grandparents find themselves raising their grandchildren, i grieve for both them and the kids who are missing out on knowing their elders as they really are.
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