February 26 – Letter to An Elder Day

Letter to an Elder Day is Today!

Download the 38 Hertz Celebration Book with 365 days of celebrations.

HOW TO CELEBRATE LETTER TO AN ELDER DAY

Read about the Love For Our Elders organization. Nominate an elder!
Write a letter to an elder.
Spread the word on social media by using the hashtag #lettertoanelderday
Purchase a supply of cards to have on hand for more letters to elders (cards available in all designs).
Get some new stationery to write a good old-fashioned letter to an elder.
If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR LETTER TO AN ELDER DAY

Letter to an Elder Day can also be an opportunity for people of all ages to learn from one another. Everyone has a unique story and perspective which can help bridge generations and create greater understanding. Celebrating Letter to an Elder Day is one way that we can show our gratitude, deepen relationships, and foster intergenerational community connections.

HISTORY OF LETTER TO AN ELDER DAY

Jacob Cramer had an unbreakable bond with his grandpa, however it was tragically cut short. In honor of him he began volunteering in a local senior living community and gained the nickname “Bingo Boy” due to his lively approach when hosting bingo games there – something any regular will tell you! While aiding elderly people at this center Jacob noticed that many suffered from loneliness as hardly anyone ever visited or sent messages their way.

So he decided to make use of technology to bring some light into seniors’ lives by writing letters full of love for them; hoping these would brighten up each day and remind our elders how much they are still loved. Jacob’s letter-writing journey began when he found grace and love in his relationships with the senior citizens of his community. Fueled by this warmth, Jacob decided to take it beyond local boundaries and make a global impact – giving birth from Bingo Boy To Letter Boy.

This nonprofit organization rallies people from around the world in order to spread comfort, hope, joy and companionship through letters which are sent directly into homes across all corners of society – young or old alike! Since 2013 some 50K+ individuals have put pen onto paper for this very special cause; recently expanding their efforts during COVID-19 pandemic times by collecting video messages as well as conducting public awareness campaigns that engage class rooms & businesses alike.

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE LETTER TO AN ELDER DAY

Write a Handwritten Letter: Craft a heartfelt letter to an elder, sharing updates and fond memories.
Create a Photo Album: Compile photos and create an album to send with your letter.
Record a Video Message: Film a personal message expressing gratitude and love.
Send a Care Package: Include favorite snacks, books, and personal care items along with your letter.
Craft Handmade Cards: Design and decorate personalized cards for elders.
Organize a Zoom Call: Set up a virtual meeting to connect and read your letter aloud.
Write a Poem: Compose a poem dedicated to an elder, highlighting their impact on your life.
Share a Recipe: Include a recipe of a favorite dish or dessert in your letter.
Create a Scrapbook: Assemble a scrapbook filled with memorabilia and anecdotes.
Plan a Surprise Visit: Coordinate a visit to deliver your letter in person.
Send a Book: Choose a book you think they’ll enjoy and write a personal note inside.
Compile a Playlist: Curate a playlist of their favorite songs or relaxing tunes.
Make a Memory Jar: Fill a jar with notes of special memories and kind words.
Organize a Letter-Writing Party: Host a gathering where friends and family write letters to their elders.
Send an Art Piece: Create a piece of art or craft and mail it along with your letter.
Conduct an Interview: Write a letter asking questions about their life stories and experiences.
Share Family News: Include updates about family events, achievements, and milestones.
Send a Journal: Gift a journal for them to document their own memories and thoughts.
Create a Family Tree: Draw a family tree and send it with explanations of each branch.
Write a Song: Compose a song and send the lyrics or a recording.
Prepare a DIY Kit: Assemble a kit for a simple DIY project they can enjoy.
Send a Puzzle: Choose a puzzle or brain game to include with your letter.
Compile Quotes: Gather inspirational quotes and sayings in a small booklet.
Share a Movie List: Recommend a list of movies or TV shows they might enjoy.
Write a Story: Pen a short story or anecdote about a cherished memory you share with them.
Letter Scramble: Mix up letters from a memorable word or phrase and have them unscramble it.
Memory Match: Create a matching game using pairs of old family photos.
Story Cubes: Roll dice with pictures and craft a story together based on the images.
Crossword Puzzles: Solve a crossword puzzle focused on family history or shared interests.
Trivia Game: Play a trivia game with questions about family history and fun facts.
Charades: Act out favorite family memories or well-known stories without speaking.
Word Search: Create a custom word search with names of family members and significant places.
Name That Tune: Play snippets of favorite songs from their era and guess the song titles.
Scrapbook Scavenger Hunt: Find specific photos or memorabilia to include in a scrapbook.
Bingo: Design bingo cards with family-related words and memories.
Pictionary: Draw and guess family-related words or phrases.
Telephone Game: Whisper a phrase through a line of players and see how it changes by the end.
20 Questions: Guess a person, place, or thing from family history by asking up to 20 yes/no questions.
Flashcard Quiz: Create flashcards with questions about family history or general knowledge.
Two Truths and a Lie: Share two true facts and one false one about family stories, and guess which is false.
Scrabble: Play a classic game of Scrabble focusing on words related to family and letters.
Photo Caption Contest: Write funny or touching captions for old family photos.
Who Am I?: Stick a name of a family member on someone’s forehead, and they have to guess who they are by asking questions.
Jigsaw Puzzle: Put together a jigsaw puzzle made from a family photo.
Family Feud: Play a family-themed version of Family Feud.
I Spy: Use family photos or a familiar environment to play I Spy with clues.
Family Tree Quiz: Test knowledge about the family tree and relations.
Alphabet Game: Go through the alphabet, taking turns naming family-related items or memories for each letter.
Pass the Parcel: Wrap a gift in multiple layers, with each layer containing a family-related trivia question or task.
Guess the Baby: Match current family members with their baby photos.
Handmade Greeting Cards: Create personalized cards with heartfelt messages and decorations.
Photo Collage: Assemble a collage of family photos to evoke memories and joy.
Scrapbook: Design a scrapbook filled with pictures, notes, and memorabilia.
Memory Jar: Decorate a jar and fill it with written memories and positive messages.
Pressed Flower Bookmarks: Make bookmarks using pressed flowers and laminate them for durability.
Decorated Envelopes: Personalize envelopes with drawings, stickers, and calligraphy.
DIY Stationery: Create custom stationery sets with matching paper and envelopes.
Family Recipe Book: Compile favorite family recipes into a beautifully decorated book.
Hand-Painted Mugs: Paint ceramic mugs with special designs or messages.
Quilted Letter Holder: Sew a quilted letter holder to organize correspondence.
Embroidered Handkerchiefs: Hand-embroider handkerchiefs with initials or small designs.
Handmade Candles: Make scented candles and add personalized labels.
Decorative Boxes: Craft and decorate small boxes for keepsakes or letters.
Knitted or Crocheted Items: Create scarves, hats, or blankets with soft yarn.
DIY Magnets: Design magnets using family photos or special messages.
Personalized Calendar: Make a calendar with family photos and important dates marked.
Photo Frames: Decorate picture frames and insert meaningful photos.
Beaded Jewelry: Create necklaces or bracelets with beads and personalized charms.
Calligraphy Art: Write a favorite quote or poem in calligraphy and frame it.
Hand-Painted Flower Pots: Paint small flower pots and plant herbs or flowers.
Memory Box: Decorate a wooden box to store letters and mementos.
DIY Coasters: Make coasters with family photos or creative designs.
Patchwork Blanket: Sew a blanket using fabric squares with different patterns or family themes.
Homemade Soap: Create scented soaps and wrap them in decorative paper.
Wind Chimes: Assemble wind chimes with beads, shells, and other meaningful items.
Heart-Shaped Sandwiches: Make sandwiches cut into heart shapes to symbolize love and appreciation.
Grandma’s Apple Pie: Bake an apple pie using a cherished family recipe.
Homemade Jam: Prepare a batch of homemade jam with their favorite fruit.
Vintage Lemonade: Brew a refreshing lemonade, reminiscent of old-fashioned recipes.
Custom Cookies: Decorate cookies with messages or initials using icing.
Elderberry Syrup: Create a syrup from elderberries, known for their health benefits.
Personalized Cupcakes: Bake cupcakes and decorate them with personalized messages.
Memory Lane Salad: Make a salad using ingredients that bring back fond memories.
Handwritten Recipe Cake: Bake a cake from a handwritten family recipe passed down through generations.
Storytelling Stew: Prepare a comforting stew that you remember from childhood.
Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls: Make sweet and sticky popcorn balls, a nostalgic treat.
Heritage Bread: Bake bread using traditional techniques and recipes from their heritage.
Memory Muffins: Create muffins with ingredients that evoke special memories.
Photo-Decorated Sugar Cookies: Use edible ink to print family photos on sugar cookies.
Custom Cheese Board: Assemble a cheese board with their favorite cheeses and accompaniments.
Nostalgic Candied Nuts: Prepare candied nuts similar to those enjoyed in their youth.
Grandpa’s Pancakes: Make pancakes following a beloved grandparent’s recipe.
Handcrafted Truffles: Create chocolate truffles with personalized flavors.
Family Recipe Meatloaf: Cook a meatloaf using a treasured family recipe.
Memory Lane Lasagna: Prepare a lasagna that reminds you of family gatherings.
Vintage Ice Cream Floats: Make ice cream floats with classic soda flavors.
Handwritten Recipe Biscuits: Bake biscuits from a handwritten family recipe card.
Remembrance Fruit Tart: Create a fruit tart using their favorite fruits.
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread: Bake gingerbread men or houses with an old-fashioned recipe.
Ancestral Soup: Make a traditional soup recipe from your family’s cultural background.