September 11th is Grandparents Day.
It is a holiday that may seem a little "Hallmark" to you, but an important day nonetheless. Grandparents are there for the spoiling that us parents refuse, the weekend trips for mom and dad only, and the last minute "I need a babysitter!!" calls. They deserve a special day, and we are here to help you plan it.
When it comes to brunch, who knows better than Dr. Breakfast? Nick Dekker, of Breakfast with Nick shares his top picks for brunch with the grandparents. Visit his site or join him on a breakfast or brunch tour to get your next Columbus breakfast fix.
Farmer's Market basket
Take a basket or a cute tote to a farmers market (or the North Market) and fill it with amazing produce and snacks that grandma and grandpa can enjoy all weekend long. Bonus if you include a bottle of their favorite wine from House Wine (part of the Worthington Farmers Market).
Goodmakery
Stop in the Grandview studio to use the fun engraving machine and create a keychain or other item for grandma and grandpa. In a pinch, you can email handwriting samples to be made into gifts.
Red Giraffe personalized jewelry
Grandma might love a personalized "Nana" or "Mimi" cuff or bar necklace from this Columbus favorite. Stop in their store in the Short North or email sales@redgiraffedesigns.com to place your order ASAP.
Storge ideas
Andi has the perfect little store in Powell (right by the railroad tracks with perfect public parking). Stop in one day soon to pick up some of her favorite gift ideas, and hang out with her for a while...she is the sweetest! (The Powell Street Market is on 9/11, so that is the perfect day to stop in!)
And my favorite, a Photo Session WITH grandparents, using a local Cbus photographer (If you're a long-time reader, you'll remember why this idea is near and dear to my heart. I will never regret this gift.)
Grandparents Day Tailgate, Westerville
For the Buckeye families, this could be a fun way to spend a few hours together!
Franklin Park Conservatory Columbus Zoo animal visits
What a fun day you could have. Walk around the grounds outside, the conservatory inside, and visit with the animals.
Free Sundays, The Columbus Museum of Art
If the grandparents haven't been to the art museum, this could be the perfect chance to go as a family. Spend time playing in the Wonder Room as well as visiting the exhibits upstairs. And if it is nice outside, it is a short walk to the Topiary Garden (grab some snacks from the cafe inside the CMOA or the Main Library).
Kids' Fishing at Homestead Park, Hilliard
The quintessential activity for kids and grandpas: fishing! Combine that with a fun playground and pack a picnic for the gazebos and shelters, and you have a perfect summer day with family.
Reasons why I love Nana card (Come on, anyone can make this, and they will keep it on the fridge for 26 years).
Personalize, download, print art from Etsy (one of my favorites when I am short on time!)
Grandparents Day Printable (free) (Your older child can fill it in independently, and you can dictate your little one's answers and let them illustrate).
My personal favorite is simply taking a nice photo and framing it. Always classic, always loved. Pinterest tends to make us overthink or go out and buy unnecessary stuff. You could make a sign, use chalk on the porch or driveway, or just pick your favorite photo from this summer. Tip: Make it worth your while and please print on matte paper instead of glossy!
I hope this motivates you to make Grandparents Day special this year. Enjoy!
It is a holiday that may seem a little "Hallmark" to you, but an important day nonetheless. Grandparents are there for the spoiling that us parents refuse, the weekend trips for mom and dad only, and the last minute "I need a babysitter!!" calls. They deserve a special day, and we are here to help you plan it.
Sunday Brunch
When it comes to brunch, who knows better than Dr. Breakfast? Nick Dekker, of Breakfast with Nick shares his top picks for brunch with the grandparents. Visit his site or join him on a breakfast or brunch tour to get your next Columbus breakfast fix.
Double Comfort
Fried chicken for breakfast? I think everyone can get behind that. Double Comfort features crispy and peppery Memphis-style fried chicken, and they put it to good use at brunch on top of chicken and waffles. They feature a number of Southern favorites like their Eggs Sardou or a duck and sweet potato hash. Bonus: Double Comfort donates their profits to groups like the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Valter’s at the Maennerchor
Valter’s was a happy discovery of ours this spring. Valter Veliu, a local restaurateur, was invited to build a German-style pub in the home of the Columbus Maennerchor (a German singing club dating back to the mid-1800s). Valter’s weekend brunch includes American favorites like pancakes and corned beef hash, with some German-themed dishes like a sausage omelet or the Berlin breakfast sandwich. One item of note is the colorful Egg in a Bell, a take on eggs in a nest (or birds in a nest or whatever you call it) using bell peppers instead of bread.
Milestone 229
If you can catch it on a beautiful day, brunch on Milestone’s patio is ideal. The restaurant offers some of the best views of the city skyline and the riverfront. The brunch menu covers everything from French toast to eggs benedict to shrimp & grits, but the real bright spot is a creative kid’s menu. Bonus: you can visit the Scioto Mile fountains or hit up COSI when you’re done.
Hudson 29
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants generally do very well at catering to the whole family. The know how to please kids, and not just by throwing chicken tenders and French fries their way. The short rib hash and smoked salmon may appeal more to the adults, but fun starters like pineapple upside cake donuts should be a hit for any age. Hudson 29 features two locations: Upper Arlington and New Albany.
Third and Hollywood
This and Hollywood serves a Sunday brunch that's both elegant and easily approachable. Entrees range from steak and eggs to burgers to deep dish French toast. Sunday brunch often features live jazz, and if the weather is nice, you can gather on their patio, too.
Local Gift Ideas
Farmer's Market basket
Take a basket or a cute tote to a farmers market (or the North Market) and fill it with amazing produce and snacks that grandma and grandpa can enjoy all weekend long. Bonus if you include a bottle of their favorite wine from House Wine (part of the Worthington Farmers Market).
Goodmakery
Stop in the Grandview studio to use the fun engraving machine and create a keychain or other item for grandma and grandpa. In a pinch, you can email handwriting samples to be made into gifts.
Red Giraffe personalized jewelry
Grandma might love a personalized "Nana" or "Mimi" cuff or bar necklace from this Columbus favorite. Stop in their store in the Short North or email sales@redgiraffedesigns.com to place your order ASAP.
Storge ideas
Andi has the perfect little store in Powell (right by the railroad tracks with perfect public parking). Stop in one day soon to pick up some of her favorite gift ideas, and hang out with her for a while...she is the sweetest! (The Powell Street Market is on 9/11, so that is the perfect day to stop in!)
The Gallery Wall Numbers By Art+Alibi $34 (cute to showcase how many grandkids they have)
Welcome To Our signs....By RJ Creations $40
Candles By Legacy Candle Co. benefit human trafficking victims and come in some amazing varieties (like Sunday Brunch and Cranberry Cider...better stock up!)
The Family Celebrations Wall Hanging By Route 31 Designs $40 (put the family members name and birthday or anniversary on the circle and hang it under the appropriate month).
And my favorite, a Photo Session WITH grandparents, using a local Cbus photographer (If you're a long-time reader, you'll remember why this idea is near and dear to my heart. I will never regret this gift.)
Family Activities
Grandparents Day Tailgate, Westerville
For the Buckeye families, this could be a fun way to spend a few hours together!
Franklin Park Conservatory Columbus Zoo animal visits
What a fun day you could have. Walk around the grounds outside, the conservatory inside, and visit with the animals.
Free Sundays, The Columbus Museum of Art
If the grandparents haven't been to the art museum, this could be the perfect chance to go as a family. Spend time playing in the Wonder Room as well as visiting the exhibits upstairs. And if it is nice outside, it is a short walk to the Topiary Garden (grab some snacks from the cafe inside the CMOA or the Main Library).
Kids' Fishing at Homestead Park, Hilliard
The quintessential activity for kids and grandpas: fishing! Combine that with a fun playground and pack a picnic for the gazebos and shelters, and you have a perfect summer day with family.
Homemade Gift ideas
Reasons why I love Nana card (Come on, anyone can make this, and they will keep it on the fridge for 26 years).
via mamapapabubba.com
via blackstarpress.etsy.com
via gigglesgalore.net
I hope this motivates you to make Grandparents Day special this year. Enjoy!
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