In 1970, a Fayette County, West Virginia housewife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother by the name of Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade (1917-2008,) came up with the idea that there should be a day that was set aside for honoring grandparents.

She didn’t just come up with the idea. She launched a crusade to make it happen. The idea must have appealed to the people she approached, hoping to enlist their help because she got the support of local businesses, churches, civic groups, and one politician in particular – Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WVA.) Interest spread throughout the state, and in 1973, West Virginia Governor Arch Moore made a declaration about the first observance of Grandparent’s Day.

In 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a resolution in the United States Senate, hoping that the senate would create legislation to establish an official National Grandparent’s Day. The bill languished in Congress for the next five years.

Mrs. McQuade wasn’t going to accept the possibility that nothing would happen. She decided to approach the media. She wanted to make people aware of the idea in the hopes that widespread public support would force the U.S. Congress to take the resolution seriously.

In 1978, Congress passed the legislation and President Jimmy Carter signed a bill, creating an official National Grandparent’s Day observance. In so doing, National Grandparent’s Day became an annual observance that would occur on the Sunday after Labor Day. The date for the 2015 observance is Sunday, September 13.

When she came up with the original idea for a Grandparent’s Day, Mrs. McQuade suggested that there were three purposes for having the day, and she wanted every annual observance to fulfill those purposes.

1.To teach children (obviously grandchildren,) about the gifts they could get from older people as long as they allow themselves to be open to accepting the strength, guidance, and knowledge that their grandparents so lovingly share.

2.To set aside a time on a designated day, just to give grandparents the opportunity to spend time with their grandchildren and shower them with love.

3.To demonstrate the extent to which we honor our grandparents.

We hope our customers intend to spend some quality time with their grandparents on National Grandparent’s Day. If you’re looking for a token gift to show your thoughtfulness, we’ve come up with some suggestions. Feel free to use these, or ask us to help you come up with a personalized gift.

Our Butterfly European Garden is a delightful way to bring the outside in, and to allow your grandparents to enjoy a self-contained garden in a delightful lined wicker basket with a handle. We combine some easy-to-care-for green houseplants and flowering plants. A purple butterfly adds a decorative touch.

Customize a floral arrangement or plant of your choice by having us attach a Happy Grandparent’s Day Mylar balloon.

Be sure to allow plenty of time for Schaaf Floral to prepare, deliver, send, or customize your National Grandparent’s Day floral gifts.