Compared to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Grandparents Day gets very little attention. Although Grandparents Day may not be as commercialized as other holidays, it is a wonderful opportunity for grandchildren to honor their grandparents and for grandparents to lavish their grandchildren with love.

The roots of Grandparents Day can be traced back to the early 1970s. The day was founded through the efforts of Marian McQuade, a woman who spent her life as an advocate for the elderly. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed Grandparents Day as a national holiday in 1978.

National Grandparents Day is celebrated each year on the Sunday after Labor Day. This year’s observance falls on Sunday, September 9. September was chosen as the date for the observance to symbolize the “autumn” years of life.

Grandparents Day is meant for both grandparents and their grandchildren. According to the statute, the purpose of the holiday is “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”

Grandparents Day is this Sunday. Here are some sweet ways for grandparents and grandchildren to celebrate Grandparents Day together.

1. Gather the family for a meal. Get in the kitchen with your grandkids and share a favorite recipe.
2. Take your grandchildren on a trip to visit the town where you grew up. Drive by the house you lived in, the school you attended, the church where you got married, your first job or other memorable spots. Tell stories about what life was like years ago.
3. Share your favorite hobbies. Spend some time teaching your grandchildren to crochet or play a favorite card game.
4. Create a family tree together.
5. Look through old family pictures with your grandparents. Listen to Grandma and Grandpa tell stories about their past as you look through photo albums together.
6. Interview your grandparents. Make a list of questions and pretend to be a reporter. Record the interview or journal your findings. You may learn a lot about your grandparents, your parents and how times have changed in the past 60, 70 or 80 years.
7. If your own grandparents have passed away, celebrate Grandparents Day by visiting a local nursing home or baking cookies for an elderly neighbor.

Happy Grandparents Day!