Grandparents Day: What it is, when it is and how to celebrate

Did you know that nearly 2.3 million grandparents are raising children in the United States? Almost ten percent of grandparents have a grandchild that resides with them, and an even larger percentage have their grandparents as the primary caregiver.

With the prominent role grandparents play in many children’s lives, they deserve national recognition. Grandparents Day has been around for several decades – over 40 years, to be precise. But did you know that it was initially proposed by a young boy, or it occurs in September?

Luckily, we have a must-read article for you! In our guide, we talk about National Grandparents Day history and how you can develop more of a presence on social media by recognizing Grandparents Day. Keep reading on for more information!

What is National Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day is a day dedicated to your grandparents. The history of National Grandparents Day begins in 1969 with a simple request from a young boy to President Nixon. It wasn’t until 1978 that the proclamation was signed, and the first celebrated year was 1979.

The United States isn’t the only country that celebrates grandparents. Other countries that celebrate grandparents day are:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Singapore
• Mexico

So what is National Grandparents Day for? This national holiday has three primary purposes:

1. Honor grandparents
2. Allows children an opportunity to show their appreciation to grandparents
3. Provides an excellent opportunity to have grandchildren and grandparents spend quality time with one another

A couple of other fun facts about the holiday – there is an official flower and song that celebrates the acclaimed day. It is represented by the forget-me-not flower, and the song is called “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa.”

Why should you promote National Grandparents Day?

Businesses can post on social media regarding “national” days as a way to engage with users and build brand awareness. Here’s how you can get started:

• Find relevant holidays
• Identify popular hashtags
• Engage with relevant social users

While many large companies and brands have a prominent influence on social media, small businesses can benefit equally. Digital marketing is invaluable, and many small business owners find that social media is their most successful tool. Approximately 67% of small business owners use social media marketing and advertising.

Promoting National Grandparents Day gives you a chance to engage with consumers who have close ties to grandparents. These population groups also include adults who have children and want to find ways their kids can spend quality time with their grandparents.

Social media analytics can provide valuable insight into metrics and consumer engagement. Instagram is one of the most useful tools for you to celebrate National Grandparents Day. Define your target audience, find user-generated content, and start tracking your performance.

How to promote National Grandparents Day

Now that you understand your target audience and the importance of social media, what should you post? First, it goes back to popular hashtags so that you generate quality search results and exposure.

Next, ensure that your post is aligned with your business’s values and goals. For example, if you have a clothing line, you may want to post a picture of an older couple playing with grandchildren while wearing your clothing. If you have something a bit more out of reach, get creative and use eye-popping captions.

Be mindful that just because you can use a lot of characters on social media doesn’t mean it will benefit your brand. Ideal Instagram posts should be between 1-50 characters.

The same trend was found for Facebook users, with the ideal post being less than 50 characters. If you have an event coming up, tie it back in by mentioning that you should bring along your grandparent(s). Additionally, don’t be afraid to pull in nostalgia with this National Day.

If you have a company specializing in cookware, you could talk about homemade cooking, old family recipes, and more. Lastly, choose prime posting times. Experts found that Wednesdays between 9:00 A.M. and 3 P.M. and Fridays between 10:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. are the best times to post.

3. How can you celebrate Grandparents Day?

One of the best ways you can spend time with grandparents is by asking them about their family history. Try playing a game of 20 questions, where the grandparents can also learn more about their grandchildren.

Some other fun ways to celebrate National Grandparents Day are playing games, finishing a crossword puzzle, cooking, visiting a spa or having a fun movie night. Talk to your grandparents and schedule something that you both enjoy that will foster and build your relationship.

Celebrating National Grandparents Day

Now that you know more about Grandparents Day, its history, and how to enjoy it with your loved ones, how can you boost your presence on social media? Engaging with your viewers through National Days helps you build relationships, promote your brand, and strengthen your digital presence.

The time of day, what you post, and even how long your posts are can make a big difference in brand promotion. If you found this article interesting and helpful, try Sprout Social for free to start seeing a difference in scaling your business.

Grandparents Day FAQ