BY KERRY BYRNE, PH.D.
The key, perhaps not surprisingly, is to personalize it.
Consider the difference between writing to a grandchild:
I am so thankful to have you in my life.
vs
I am so thankful to have you in my life because you make me laugh with your funny jokes and silly faces. I’m grateful we got to…[insert moment shared here].
It makes a difference.
Hallmark will include one in a card, and the other says, I know you, I’m noticing the many wonderful things about you, even from a distance, and I love the time we spend together.
More GRANDmark than Hallmark is the goal!
Try using these prompts and personalize them to your grandchild.
Top Tip: For little ones, write with crayons! This is what they are used to and what they use to write with, so it feels like, ‘Wow, this is for me if it’s in crayon!
But for any aged grandchild, pick up some colorful or gold/silver markers to make your message stand out on the card. Make little hearts and decorate the card and envelope with stickers. Heck, draw them a picture if there is room!
Here are some messages to get your grand creative juices flowing:
- You hold a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful every day for your presence because you are….. [curious, loving, kind].
- Even though we’re miles apart, please know that my love for you knows no distance. You bring joy, and I love watching you work so hard at….
- Though we can’t share a Thanksgiving feast, I’m sending you a virtual hug and a plate full of love. I’m so thankful to be your nana because you are….
- Our family may be separated by miles, but our love travels as far as it needs to. It is now traveling [insert miles/kilometers] to be with you, even if we cannot be there in person! When my love arrives, it is giving you a big hug and reminding you how much fun we had when we……[share a memory, can be in-person time together or video chat time].
- Thanksgiving reminds us of the people we hold dear, no matter the distance. You are always in my heart, and I’m thankful for you every day because you are growing up to be [insert any adjective]. I see this in you when you [insert example].
- I’m thankful I saw you…[insert something like play soccer, roll over, graduate, etc.]. I cherish our time together!
- I’m thankful for technology that allows us to stay connected across the miles. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the moments we’ve had and the moments we’ll create in the future. I’m thankful we got to….[insert anything from reading a book together online to swimming together in the ocean!].
- My heart is filled with joy and gratitude because I have a grandchild like you. I see how kind you are to your friends, and I’m thankful you have such a great group of people to go through life with.
The possibilities are endless, but I hope these get you started. It’s so important to find your grandparenting voice, and I do hope these help!
