9 Best Free Ways to Spend Mother’s Day with Your Grandmother

It’s not the things that can be bought
that are life’s richest treasure,
It’s just the little “heart gifts”
that money cannot measure…

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-Helen Steiner Rice

I don’t think there will ever be enough days or ways to celebrate grandmothers. These selfless women have mothered generations of their families. The sweetest thing about grandmothers is that they don’t expect anything in return. That’s why Mother’s Day is the perfect time to let these special loved ones know just how important they are. And like Helen Steiner Rice’s poem so beautifully states, the heart gifts that can’t be bought are truly priceless. With some creativity and some family cooperation, you can give your grandmother gifts of love that will touch her heart. If you want to make your grandmother feel special this Mother’s Day, keep reading.

Treat Grandma to a Home Cooked Meal

A lot of grandmothers are the main and best cooks of the family. They’ve given years of sacrifice in their kitchen. So, on Mother’s Day, treat them to a day of relaxation. Of course, cooking is hard work, so it might take some organization. Rally the troops (also known as, other family members) to bring some of Grandma’s favorite dishes and desserts. Agree on a time and make the meal special by bringing a spring tablecloth and a freshly picked bouquet. Don’t forget to clean up—and that many hands make light work.

Make Your Grandmother the Guest of Honor

Do you remember the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts? Well, this is kind of similar—with a sentimental twist! Have each grandchild write something they love or admire about your grandma. Then ask them to share their very favorite memory. You could also have them share their favorite trip or special gift she once gave/made them, or their favorite food she makes. During dessert, tell her she is the official guest of honor on this special day and surprise her with this heartfelt tribute. Be sure to bring along some Kleenex!

Serenade Your Grandma 

Do you have a singer in your family? We have several. In fact, Nana and two younger generations would record Christmas songs, in harmony, at our local mall. The youngest grandchild was six! Musical grandmothers always have favorite songs. Sing it back to her or with her. Do you know your grandmother’s favorite hymn? Gather around the piano or get out the guitar and have a sing-along. If all else fails, do what we do: tell Alexa to play some of your grandma’s favorites and sing and even dance along. It’s a wonderful memory-maker!

Play Games Together

My grandmother’s favorite Mother’s Day activity was a given. She loved to play Scrabble. She was a tough cookie to beat. An English and French teacher who wrote for two local newspapers after she retired, made her a walking dictionary and a tough opponent. Of course, she went easy on the younger grands and eventually passed her love of the game to four generations. My children’s grandmother loves puzzles. She has a sunroom with a table set up for the time she spends each day working them. If your grandmother has a passion for puzzles, buy her a beautiful spring puzzle and start it with her. Whatever your grandmother’s favorite, Mother’s Day makes for a wonderful game day with Grandma.

Plant a Propagated Memory Garden

If Grandma has a green thumb, create a family memory garden with a transplant of each grandchild’s favorite flower from your or their home flower garden. Have small children create homemade plant tags with their names penned on popsicle sticks to help Grandma remember which child belongs to each floral gift. Mother’s Day is the perfect time for transplanting and it is much easier than you think. 

Prepare Grandma’s Flower Beds for Summer

My grandmother had a huge flower bed. Planted in the style of her British heritage, it was truly an English garden that flanked an entire side of her farmhouse.  She also had a round-shaped rock planter in the front yard and flower boxes across her porch. As a child, I remember working in those beds with Grandma. On Mother’s Day, bring rakes, pruners, sheers, and garbage bags. Let your grandmother be the foreman while you rake, blow, and mulch her garden into spring readiness. Ask her to tell you about her flowers.  She will appreciate sharing her passion for all things floral. Most of all she will appreciate the extra sets of hands for her spring cleanup.

Give the Gift of Spring Cleaning

Whether it is running the vacuum, dusting knick knacks, polishing the wood floors, or washing and ironing curtains, Grandmothers are accustomed to spring chores. What a wonderful way to surprise your grandma on Mother’s Day by showing up ready to dive in and take the “chore” out of her spring cleaning. Grandsons can head outside to do things like power wash the siding, paint shutters, trim hedges, and mow the grass. Old lawn furniture can be repainted or spayed down so it is spic and span for another season. Grandma’s heart will swell with pride and gratitude.

Take Your Grandma to a Mother’s Day Banquet

Does your church or organization host a Mother’s Day banquet each year? Many do. Share an afternoon with Grandma. It gets her out of the house and gives her time to socialize with old friends or new acquaintances. Most banquets have a form of entertainment–whether it is a recitation, a devotion, or live music. Some banquets have a special gift for each Mother at each place setting. Games are always fun, as well. A photoshoot is a wonderful way to remember your special day. A Mother’s Day banquet is a wonderful way to celebrate your grandmother! 

Take Your Grandmother to Church 

Mother’s Day is one of the highest church attendance days of the year. When mothers and grandmothers attend a Mother’s Day service, so do many of their children. Oftentimes, mothers are recognized with drawings for beautiful hanging baskets at our church. Sometimes, winners are based on the oldest mother or the mother with the largest family. To avoid the same yearly winners in these categories, some churches do random drawings where every mother takes a numbered ticket and winners are drawn out at random. At the close of the service, each mother is given a flower for their garden. Sermons are about the Biblical love and value of mothers and their importance. It’s a great way to remind your grandma of how special she is!

Takeaway

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate your grandmother this Mother’s Day, keep Helen Steiner Rice’s poem in mind and remember that the best gifts can’t be bought. If you’re still looking for more great articles like this one, be sure to visit our Retirement Lifestyle Blog before you go!