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Archive for September 3, 2020

Fun Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day on a Budget

Grandparents Day will be here soon, which might be a problem during the current circumstances. If this year hasn’t made you think about how much your grandparents mean to you, then seeing all of the Grandparents Day ads might make the sentiment set in. This year, it isn’t exactly safe to visit with your grandparents unless they are already living in your home. There are many amazing things you can do for your grandparents on this special day of recognition though. Best of all, many of these ideas won’t cost you a thing and those that do require a bit of money won’t break your budget. So, make sure you take the day to remember how amazing your grandparents are.

1. Video Chat
Talking to your grandparents is one of the best ways you can make them feel loved. However, these days, you can go one step further from just chatting on the phone. If your grandparents are tech-savvy, or they have someone living with them that can help them out, then you might celebrate the day with a special video chat. Not only will your grandparents love to hear from you, but they will also have a chance to see you. This will help them feel special, but might also help to ease some of the worries they are having during this time period. Make sure you catch up with them and tell them all about what has been going on in your life and ask them about their lives. Sometimes, chatting with a loved one can even help to chase the blues away, which many seniors are having to deal with during this time.

2. Window Visit
If you want to take things to the next level and you live close to your grandparents, then a window visit is the next best option. All this entails is going to their home and chatting with each other through a window. You can use the phone to help facilitate this too, especially if your grandparents have trouble hearing. You might bring a chair with you to make the visit feel more casual. If you do live nearby then you might also take this opportunity to see if your grandparents need any help around the yard and so on.

3. Make a Family Meal
At this juncture in the self-quarantine life, many people are going to be sick of cooking meal after meal. Your grandparents probably aren’t an exception. They might also have trouble cooking some of the meals they normally would due to lack of supplies. So, if you really want to show them how much they mean to you then you might cook a meal for them. Of course, one of the best things you can do is to actually cook a family recipe for them. This might be a challenge, but it will show them just how much you care about them and miss your family time.

4. Order Groceries
These days, it isn’t exactly easy to get out and shop without putting yourself at risk. This is especially hard for people of a certain age because they are most susceptible to getting coronavirus and dying from it. So, instead of sending gifts or making a grand gesture, you might actually take the time to just grocery shop for them. If you can, it is best to just order groceries, as this will help to keep you protected. Many stores are doing grocery pick up which will allow you to simply pick up and drop off their items. However, you can also do a grocery delivery order. This is especially helpful if you’re not living in the same area as your grandparents. If you really want to go the extra mile then you might grab them a special meal from a delivery service. You might look into what services they have in their area and their reviews, so you can easily feel confident about your purchases.

5. Send a Photo Book
Grandparents love to look at pictures whenever they get the chance. However, not all grandparents are tech-savvy enough to utilize social media. Thus, they often miss out on what is going on during our lives. Instead of just skipping over their need for pictures, you might make this an important part of Grandparents Day. You should be able to find lots of great deals on photo books around the holiday time frame. If you’re at a loss for deals then the price of a photo book isn’t too high to begin with. You might also consider printing out your own photos and adding them to a book that you make by hand. No matter which way you go, your grandparents will definitely love the pictures that you send their way.

6. Facilitate Hobbies
These days, hobbies are getting a lot of people by. They can help take their minds off of everything going on around us while helping to keep everyone busy while they are stuck at home. However, it might be hard for your grandparents to keep up with their hobbies if they can’t get out to shop. Thus, one great thing you can do for your grandparents is to surprise them with a few supplies that they can use for their hobbies. May it be dropping off some new plants for their gardening or restocking their paint supply. You might also consider leaving some new board games, puzzles, and other activities your grandparents have enjoyed in the past. If your grandparents don’t like surprises, then feel free to ask them what they need.

7. Drive-By Parade
Another great way to show your grandparents how much they are loved is to organize a parade in their honor. This will work a lot like the birthday drive-by parades that are really popular right now. One of the best ways to get the parade started is to talk to all of your family members. Make sure you have your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on join in on the parade to ensure that your grandparents truly feel loved. If you want to add to the charm, make signs and use other party supplies to make the parade loud and fun to watch. Make sure everyone is able to wave and show that they turned up to make the parade something special.

8. Appreciation Video
When it comes to showing some love, one of the best ways to go is to make an appreciation video. You can do this quickly and simply on your mobile phone. All you have to do is share a message of appreciation for your grandparents. You might also consider sharing stories, reminiscing, and so much more. If you want to add to the message then have the children of the house add to the video to you. You can also call for other family members to contribute. It is incredibly simple to string together videos in free software, so you won’t have to worry about spending a penny here either.

9. Interview Them
Your grandparents aren’t going to be around forever. They hold the legacy of your family in their hearts and minds though. So, you might make a point to make a Grandparents Day project. In the project, you work to interview them to learn as much as possible about them. You might ask about their likes and dislikes. However, try to dig a bit deeper. You might talk about their childhood, their parents, their education, and so on. You might also chat about any family stories that they might want to share. There are many websites that can help guide you through an interview such as this. They can also help you to piece together the information into a keepsake that can be passed down from generation to generation.

10. Send a card
At the end of the day, one of the best things you can do is simply send out a card. Without a doubt, cards can be one of the easiest ways to show you care. Older generations are accustomed to getting and receiving cards too so this action will show just how much you care. When you pick out a card make sure to add a special message and have the whole family sign it. You can also add in a gift card if you want the gift to be extra special. If you can’t get out to purchase a card then you can always print one out mail it.

This year, you might not want to skip out on Grandparents Day. If this year has taught us anything, it is definitely that you should value the people in your life. These ten ideas are just a start when it comes to making your grandparents feel special while the world practices social distancing.