We love our Grandmas and Grandpas! After all, who doesn’t want a visit from Pop-Pop and Mimi (or whatever fun nicknames you have for them)? It’s a bundle of hugs, surprises, and special memories. And on Grandparents Day it’s your chance to shower them a little extra love and appreciation.
If you’re looking for some fun and unique ways to celebrate, we’ve got a few ideas. Here are 10 ways to show them how much you care on Grandparents Day.
Treat Them to a Meal
Sitting down to a meal made with care is a great way to show them how much you care. Treat them to our Grandma’s Sampler to celebrate. It comes with two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, a sampling of Thick-Sliced Bacon, Smoked Sausage, and Sugar Cured or Country Ham. Served with Fried Apples or Hashbrown Casserole. (They may even have leftovers to enjoy later).
Even if you can’t be with them on Grandparents Day, you can still make it memorable. Gift them a delicious meal like our Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast that they can enjoy at their local Cracker BarrelTM or in their own home. Order a meal online and have it delivered or purchase a Cracker Barrel gift card and personalize it with a message straight from the heart.
Interview Them
Your grandparents are a living history book and a treasure trove of information. While you’re treating them to their favorite meal at Cracker Barrel, ask them about what life was like when they were young. What they envisioned the year 2023 would look like when they were kids and what is left on their bucket list.
Learn about your family tree. Discover stories about your relatives you never knew. Grab your phone, hit record, and soak it all in. Chances are they’ll love telling you about it all, and you’ll end up with an archive that’s absolutely priceless
Take a Road Trip
Feeling adventurous? Why not hit the open road! Remember the bucket list question we told you to ask? Pick a destination they’ve been longing to go to and make plans to spend some time together seeing the sights.
Or visit our locations page and pick a place neither of you has been, and map out your route, picking landmarks, activities, and stops along the way. And when you start getting hungry, make sure you look for that Cracker Barrel sign along the interstate for a pit stop so we can serve you a meal made with care.
Create a Care Package
Walking into one of our Country Stores is like taking a trip back to the past. It’s like a time machine from the old-fashioned candy sticks to the cast-iron Lodge cookware to the nostalgic games. Assemble a care package for Grandma and Grandpa with some of their favorite treats, mementos, activities, or games from their past and make a plan to open it together – either in person or virtually.
Offer a Service
A little bit of help goes a long way. Raking the yard, driving to an appointment, and running errands are all simple ways to show your grandparents you care about them. Plus, it will give you a chance to spend some quality time together. When you’re done trimming the bushes or organizing that closet, pause for a lunch break and stop in at your local Cracker Barrel. Grab a sweet tea and some biscuits and cap off one productive day as the ultimate helper.
Chat in a Rocking Chair & Play a Game
Relax and enjoy a thoughtful conversation with your grandparents on our Front Porch. Challenge them to a game of checkers (but be nice and let them win- after all, it’s their day). Ask them about their favorite pastimes growing up. Who knows, maybe they even remember the times they went to eat at Cracker Barrel back in the day.
If you’ve ever been in our dining room chances are you’ve played the iconic Peg Game at your table. Here’s your chance to show off that big brain of yours and show them what a genius you are when you only have one peg remaining. (Luckily, we can show you how.)
Or pick up a puzzle in our County Store and spend the rest of the day putting it together. Just make sure you let them fill in the last puzzle piece to complete it!
Plan a Sleepover
Chances are Grandma and Grandpa would love a little company, especially some Grandchildren-Grandparent bonding time. Coordinate a sleepover with the grandkids at their house, order a delicious hearty Family Meal Basket, and let the fun begin. Make sure to pack some cards and some games to create some fantastic memories for their kids.
Try a New Recipe
Stay in and have a tasty Grandparents Day in the kitchen. Try recreating a secret family recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation, or take a stab at creating something brand new. You may even want to use our Cracker Barrel pancake or biscuit mix to really zero in on that “made from scratch” flavor. Browse our pantry for more ideas and supplies, and have fun recreating that old family dish or experimenting with something new.
Craft Something With Care
Nothing says from the heart better than something you create yourself. Browse our online store for some of our unique home décor finds, and then put your own creative spin on them by sharing what you love about them on it. Then your Grandparents will have something special they can display in their home, and they’ll be reminded of you every time they pass by it.
For example, grab a recent photo and put it in a frame that you can personalize with a special message. Or select a box or wall sign with something that speaks directly to their style and personality.
Create a Virtual Family Get-Together
If you can’t be with them on their special day because they live far away, here’s a great alternative.
Get Grandma and Grandpa on Zoom or Teams and have other family members surprise them with a guest appearance during the call. Plan ahead and surprise them with a meal delivery from CrackerBarrel.com just before the call so you can all enjoy a virtual meal together. They’ll be super surprised at your creativity and thoughtfulness. (Just be sure to throw in some dessert for a super sweet ending.)
For more gift ideas, you can visit our online shop. If you’re stopping in to see us during Grandparents weekend, make sure you use our online waitlist feature so you can skip the line and start celebrating sooner.
No matter what you decide to do for Grandma and Grandpa, remember to say thanks and tell them how much you appreciate them.
