Grandparents are incredible people full of wisdom, generosity and warmth. So why not celebrate Grandparents Day on September 13 here in Lynchburg, Virginia? Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy time with them with these creative, outside-the-box ideas.
Have A Physically Distant Picnic In the Park
(Image Via Gilded)
Putting together a picnic in the park for your grandparents is an excellent way to show them you care, and you can include more than just food in a picnic basket. Lynchburg is full of places to pick up some unique and wonderful gifts and picnic items. Gilded on Church Street is the perfect place to start. Pick up a card at this chic boutique and grab some fresh, responsibly sourced coffee from Nomad Coffee Co. while you’re there. Ask the staff for help picking something out and they’ll be thrilled to guide you to just the right products for your basket!
Once you’ve finished up at Gilded, hop a block over to the Lynchburg Community Market on Main Street. Here, you can pick up your grandparents’ favorite dessert or some fresh-baked bread. Then pay a visit to Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats on Commerce Street and include some of the delicious goodies this popular sweet shop offers.
Finally, stop by The Farm Basket for some more food items and small gift ideas at their boutique, gift shop and cafe. This store sells classy accent gifts, accessories and candles that are perfect for brightening up a room. Additionally, they offer fresh treats, snacks, sandwiches, soups and salads, so you can put together a full meal to share with your grandparents. Their handmade pimiento cheese spread is delicious, as are their fresh fruit plates and masterfully crafted sandwiches. Once you’ve picked up the items you need, you can take this picnic basket to your grandparents at Riverside Park and share a physically distant meal with the food and goodies you just purchased. When you’re finished, they can take the gifts that you included in the basket home with them!
Take A Stroll
If quality time with your grandparents is what you desire most and you’re able to be near them safely, take a long summer walk with them and look for falling leaves and their favorite flowers and trees. This is also a great thing to do after you’ve finished the aforementioned picnic. Old City Cemetery’s impressive flower selection is sure to brighten their day, as will the trellised garden area and reflecting pool of the Anne Spencer Garden. Pick up a self-guided tour pamphlet at the entrance to the garden and see if you and your grandparents can spot all the different varieties of plants that provided inspiration for this famous Harlem Renaissance poet!
Do A Virtual Activity Together
Even if you’re unable to see your grandparents in person this Grandparents Day (we know, it’s tough), you can still do activities with them over a video or phone call. You can set up a Google Meet or Zoom call on a computer, phone or tablet and watch one of their favorite movies at the same time as them, or you can set up a computer screen on a dining room table and eat dinner with them virtually.
(Image Via Academy Center of the Arts)
Also, many virtual activities are still available through local organizations. Seaquest offers video tours of some of their popular animal exhibits, so you and your grandparents can meet some of their cutest critters together by watching these videos simultaneously. The Academy Center of the Arts offers online art classes for painting, drawing, photography and crafting that you can do together over a video call. And the Lynchburg Museum has online exhibits so you and your grandparents can learn about historic events together (your grandparents may even have some insight on events that occurred before you were born!).
No matter how you choose to celebrate your grandparents this month, Lynchburg is here for you to enjoy quality time together, and we hope you have a wonderful experience doing so. And to all grandparents, have a happy Grandparents Day!!