Grandparents Day : Celebrate the Love and Wisdom of Our Elders

Introduction

Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in the United States, which means in 2023, it will be celebrated on Sunday, September 10. Grandparents offer immense support and make various contributions to their grandchildren’s lives, both emotionally and financially. It’s about celebrating the love, care, and bond that binds three generations of families together.

Grandparents-Day

Historical Facts About Grandparents Day

The idea for this day came about in 1956. When a housewife in West Virginia, by the name of Marian McQuade, realized that many seniors in nursing homes were somewhat forgotten by their families. McQuade then initiated campaigns to motivate the youth to recognize the contributions made by senior citizens and to “Adopt a Grandparent” for a lifetime.

Russell Capper, a 9-year-old boy, started Grandparents Day. He wrote a letter to President Richard Nixon in 1969, suggesting that there should be a day to honor grandparents. President Nixon liked the idea, and in 1978, President Jimmy Carter made the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.

Grandparents Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a time to show our love and appreciation for our grandparents. We can do this by spending time with them, giving them gifts, or simply telling them how much we love them.

Importance of Grandparents in Our Lives

Grandparents play an important role in our lives. They provide unconditional love, support, and guidance. They can also help us learn about our family history and culture.

Here are some of the benefits of having grandparents in our lives:

  • Unconditional Love: Grandparents love their grandchildren no matter what, which makes kids feel safe and happy.
  • Support: Grandparents can help their grandchildren in many ways. They can take care of them, give them comfort when they’re sad, and give good advice.
  • Guidance: Grandparents can share what they know and teach their grandchildren about life, love, and other important stuff.
  • Family history and culture: Grandparents can help their grandchildren learn about their family’s past and traditions. It’s a way to connect with where they come from.
  • Playmates: Grandparents can be fun to play with because they have more time and patience than parents.
  • Sense of security: Grandparents create a warm and loving space where their grandchildren can relax and be themselves, which makes kids feel safe and happy.

Grandparents Day Statistics

  • According to the American Community Survey of the US Census Bureau there are about 70 million grandparents in the US (almost 1/3 of the adult American population), with an annual inflow of about 2 million.
  • Approximately 5 – 6 percent of grandchildren and 10 percent of grandparents live in grandparent-grandchild households at any given time.
  • According to an AARP, grandparents collectively spend $179 billion per year on their grandchildren, approximately $2,562 per grandparent. 
  • A Romanian woman has been labeled the world’s youngest granny after she became a grandmother at 23.
  • About 40% of grandparents spent more than $500 on their grandchildren in a year.
  • 60% – the percentage of grandparents who work part-time or full-time.

8 Ideas for Observing Grandparents Day

8 Ideas for Observing Grandparents Day

Grandparents Days Around The World

CountryOccasionDate
United KingdomTo honor grandparents and their contribution to families and communitiesFirst Sunday of September
IndiaTo honor grandparents and their contribution to societyOctober 2
AustraliaTo honor grandparents and their contribution to societyLast Sunday in October
CanadaTo honor grandparents and their contribution to families and communitiesSecond Sunday in September
ChinaTo honor grandparents and their love and care for their grandchildrenSecond Sunday in September
FranceTo honor grandparents and their importance in the familyFirst Sunday in March

Theme for 2023

The theme for Grandparents Day 2023 is “His mercy is from age to age”. This theme was chosen by Pope Francis and is based on a passage from the Bible where Mary, the mother of Jesus, praises God for his mercy. The theme is a reminder of the importance of grandparents in our lives and their role in passing on the values of faith, family, and love.

Best Grandparents Day Campaign Slogans

Best Campaign Slogans for Grandparents Day

  • Generations United – Bringing Together the Power of Young and Old
  • Golden Bonds – Creating Memories that Span Generations
  • Forever Grand – Because Love Knows No Generation
  • Grand Voices – Amplifying the Wisdom of Grandparents
  • Legacy Builders – Shaping the Future, One Grandchild at a Time
  • Ageless Love – Where Love Defies Time and Age
  • Wisdom Keepers – Preserving Traditions, Sharing Wisdom
  • Grand Connections – Bridging the Gap between Generations

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Grandparents Day?

    Grandparents Day is a special holiday dedicated to honoring and celebrating grandparents and the important role they play in the lives of their grandchildren.

  2. When is Grandparents Day celebrated?

    In the United States, Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which typically falls in September. However, the date may vary in other countries.

  3. Who founded Grandparents Day?

    Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia, is often credited with founding Grandparents Day. She started advocating for a day to honor grandparents in the early 1970s.

  4. Is there an official Grandparents Day?

    Yes, there is an official Grandparents Day in the United States. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which falls in September. The day was first celebrated in 1978, after a 9-year-old boy named Russell Capper wrote a letter to President Jimmy Carter asking for a day to honor grandparents.

  5. Why is it important that we celebrate this holiday?

    There are many reasons why it is important to celebrate Grandparents Day. Here are a few:- To honor the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.- To appreciate the love, support, and guidance that grandparents provide.- To learn about family history and traditions.- To strengthen intergenerational relationships.- To raise awareness of the importance of grandparents in society.- To encourage people to spend time with their grandparents.

Summary

Grandparents Day is a holiday celebrated in many countries around the world to honor grandparents. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in September in the United States. Grandparents Day is a time to show appreciation for the love and support that grandparents provide. There are many ways to celebrate Grandparents Day, such as spending time with them, giving them gifts, or writing them cards.

How Do you celebrate Grandparents Day? Let me know in the comment section.

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