My children are always excited to see their grandparents. And I know all their grandparents want to see them. But after the first few minutes, they often don’t know what to do with each other. After a day of traveling the grandparents are often tired and just want a rest. Instead they are watching three boys running through the house shouting how many days are left until Christmas.
The challenge is to keep the visiting grandparents busy and happy without wearing them out.I want them to have a memorable Christmas, too. But I also want my loud and busy boys to have fun. I schedule some quiet activities that the grandparents can opt of, or just sit and enjoy like short Christmas movies, making an easy ornament, playing a board game, or Whoonu, or coloring a holiday picture. One year my boys helped their grandmother decorate a small tree for her room. Grandparents may also enjoy a walk around the block with the children, or a trip to see their schools. They also may like looking through photo albums.
I think an important part of having relatives visiting is the chance to hear family stories. What did their parents do for a living? What did your family do for Christmas? Did you have a tree? Lights? Ornaments? What presents do you remember getting? What presents do you remember wanting? What were your favorite Christmas foods? If Grandmother is an expert on green beans or pecan pie, let her make it. Even better let one of the kids help. Grandmother will love passing on her knowledge and cooking techniques to her grandchildren.
At our house, I help Santa out and make stockings for the grandparents. I like to find old-fashioned candy like Mary Janes, Candy Buttons, Kits Taffy, Beaman’s gum, Teaberry Gum, Walnettos, Cinnamon Toothpicks, Chick-o-sticks. You can find old candy like this in import or tourist stores, online, and sometimes at small, locally owned groceries or drug stores. Old toys are fun too, penny whistles, harmonicas, yo-yos, and jacks.
Don’t forget to take pictures of the children with their grandparents. And try to capture some of those family stories on your video camera.
More on Multi-Generational Fun:
Multi-Generational Holiday Traditions
The Art of Crafts – Family Time Well Spent