Easy Ways to Say Thank You on Grandparents Day

Unlike Mother's and Father's Days, Grandparents Day does not get a high level of media or commercial attention, but Grandparents Day on Sept. 9, is still a day of recognition of the important role grandparents play in the life of children. Whether they are part of their daily life, provide primary care giving responsibilities, or love the children from afar, grandparents have a special relationship with their grandchildren. Saying thank you isn't hard, and will mean a lot.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Whether it is a picture drawn by your child, a painted foot print, or other artwork, grandparents will love some original work from their grandchild. Accompanied with a note, whether transcribed by a parent or totally written by the child, a picture is the perfect thank you.

Use snail mail. The phone is great for catching up and daily contact, and e-mail provides instant gratification, but actually getting something in the mail other than a bill or junk mail is a wonderful thing. Whether you write a letter, or send a card, when a grandparent opens up the mail box and finds something that says you were thinking of him or her, they will feel loved.

Pick up the phone. Have your children call their grandparents, or dial for them. Just knowing you are thinking about them will brighten their day. Even if they don't care about "Grandparents Day," they will still love hearing from their grandchildren.

Share an old memory, and say thank you. Every family has traditions, whether it is baking cookies together, going back-to-school shopping, or reciting a special prayer together before every dinner. Give your grandparent a call, or have your children do it, and tell them a story about a special memory from childhood that reminds you of them. Reminiscing together can start a wonderful memory and spark a conversation about previous times.

Frame a photo. Take an old photograph and frame it. It can be from when they were young, a picture of them with your children, of you when you were young, a picture you know they love, or a current picture of their grandchildren. The more thought you've put into the picture the more they will cherish it.

Grandparents Day is not about gifts and material items, but instead an opportunity to cement the relationship between generations, and say thank you for all they have done. Whether through word or deed, celebrate grandparents on Sept. 9.