The solution?
Plan an inter-generational Mother’s Day celebration. One that ensures you’ll see everyone who matters to you. Here are some ideas to help you plan a Mother’s Day to remember.
1. Host a tea.
Young or old can all enjoy a family tea party, complete with herbal tea and finger sandwiches on rye or whole grain bread (a healthier choice for diabetics).
“I invited daughters, moms, aunts, grandmothers, and even one mom-to-be, ranging in age from 4 to 74,” says Melissa Mazzarella, a mother-of-five from Patchogue, NY, who hosted her first Mother’s Day tea last year and hopes to do it again.
Mazzarella kept it simple, encouraging guests to catch up and re-connect through conversation.
To entertain a less chatty bunch, consider leaving conversation prompts in the form of interesting questions at each place setting. A few suggestions might include:
- What did you want to be when you were growing up? / What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What’s your fondest childhood memory / best day ever?
- What was/is your favorite subject in school and why?
- What’s the most exotic place you’ve ever visited or your best vacation?
You might also collect childhood and current photos of attendees beforehand and create a digital slideshow to share during the party.
2. Organize a multi-generational photo shoot.
Don’t have many photos of all the generations of your family together?
Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to schedule a photo shoot. Glam it up by scheduling a spa day right before the Mother’s Day photo shoot. You can help one another coordinate the perfect outfits.
“Ask the eldest family member to dress in something that will set her apart as the matriarch of the family,” says photographer Jennifer Mercurio of Lasting Impressions Photography in Bay Shore, New York. “You may put everyone else in the shot wear white or navy blue, while she wears her favorite color.”
Have the great-grandmother, grandmother and mother of a baby daughter hold their own baby pictures in a photo with the infant, suggests Mercurio. “Putting the infant in the hands of the eldest is very poignant, as well,” she says.
If your mother or grandmother lives in a senior living community, you might want to take pictures right on the grounds. Many of today’s senior communities offer park-like, picturesque landscapes. Then cap it off with a picnic to end your picture-perfect day.
3. Cook or bake together.
Are you a family of chefs? Or bakers? A day of multi-generational cooking could be a great way to celebrate. Younger children can pour and mix pre-measured ingredients, while grandmothers may opt to supervise in the kitchen.
Ask each guest to bring a classic family recipe and a new favorite. Old and young alike are sure to pick up cooking tips from each other.
Building Multi-generational Memories
The bottom line is to think about what bonds your family together.
Do you enjoy playing board games? Watching old movies? Scrapbooking?
Whatever it may be, make it the focal point of your celebration. Add your favorite foods and family-friendly beverages. Then don’t forget to take lots of photos to commemorate your multi-generational Mother’s Day celebration!