Newsflash, babes: Tomorrow is Grandparent’s Day. It doesn’t
matter if you’re across the country or right down the road. We have five
awesome ways to make grandma and grandpa have the best Sunday ever. And hey,
while you’re at it, why not make,
every day
grandparent’s day? We’re betting they totally deserve it.
If they live right
down the road…
Chances are, all your grandparents want is some of your
time. Tell your buds you have plans this Sunday, finish your homework early and
go spend the afternoon just hanging out with Gram and Grandpa. Go see a movie,
learn how to make a prized family recipe, flip through old photo albums, play
old-school board games. It doesn’t matter what you do; it’s that you’re
spending time with them—that’s what
counts.
If they live far
away…
Even if you only see them once or twice a year, hearing your
voice on the phone (or seeing your face on Skype, if they are tech-savvy or
have a tech-savvy friend who can give them a hand) will bring smiles to their
faces, guaranteed. Hint: Don’t just call on holidays. Give ‘em a ring anytime,
even if you only have a few minutes to talk. Call just to say “hi” and “I love
you.” Write letters, send postcards, enclose photos. Trust us, they’ll treasure
them.
If a nice older
person down the street doesn’t have any family close by…
Swing by to see if they need any help. Bring fresh-cut
flowers from the garden, or freshly baked treats. Send a card, say hello. The
goal is to bring a little sunshine into their life, so take a second to
consider what they’d really appreciate and then do it. Maybe it’s a little
assistance at the grocery store, or a jar of local honey for sweetening an
afternoon tea ritual. It takes little time or effort to make a difference in
someone’s life—go to it.
If you can get your
crew to visit a nursing home…
A lot of people in nursing homes don’t have regular
visitors. They’re lonely. And while they might seem like old fuddy duddies,
they are great company. Go and ask them questions about their lives—you’d be
amazed by what they can tell you. Play games, sing songs, read favorite books
or new bestsellers.
If you don’t have
grandparents…
Sometimes when family members pass, it’s easy to think that
cease to exist. But they do, corny as it sounds, live on within you. Take a
moment out of your day and consider your grandmother or grandfather, or another
elderly family member or family friend who is no longer living. Remember the
values they lived by that you agree with, the things they taught you, and do
your best to incorporate those things into your life.
What’s your favorite
way to spend time with your grandparents?
BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 9/8/2012 11:37:00 AM
POSTED IN fun stuff, holiday, family, weekend fun