“GRANDMOTHERS’ DAY”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32707, 9 September 1971, Page 7

“GRANDMOTHERS’ DAY”

(By

BETH SAUNDERS)

LONDON. If you were a grandmother living in England, Sunday, October 10, would seem just like: your birthday. You] would be inundated with] flowers, fussed over by your grandchildren, and have your feet up all day. At least you should in theory, because October 10 is the world’s first Grandmothers’ Day. The plan is to make Grandmothers’ Day a permanent Celebration on the calendar all over the world. But from 1972 on, say the organisers,

the event will be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in October.

The organisers are a group of international businessmen. And while the institution of a (Grandmothers’ Day may sound nothing more than another shrewd example of commercial exploitation, you have to admit that it is not a bad idea.

Mothers and fathers have their special days, so why shouldn’t granny have something extra to look forward to every year? She deserves it. And your children will be the first to say so. In a recent poll in America. hundreds of youngsters were asked who, next to their parents and brothers and sisters, did they love best of all? The answer

was “Granny, nearly every time. As Mr Tom Simpson, one of the men behind the organising of Grandmothers’ Day, says: “Grandma is one member of the family who is always there when we need her. She has all the answers, and she gives us comfort and a feeling that al! is right with the world.” Mr Simpson is the marketing director of an international flower firm through which you can send flowers to a “special someone” anywhere in the world. He is also a member of the Special Days Promotion Committee—a body of several British-based business organisations which owe their existence to the sentiment and generosity of the public when it comes to remembering Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and Mothers’ and Fathers’ Days. They represent the florists, the greetings-card publishers, the cosmetics industry and other businesses, some' of which are watching the new idea as “interested observers.” “Grandmothers’ Day, they tell me, will be observed in many other countries. IN NX SOON It will be promoted in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa soon. And it will not be long, they predict, before the United States will be staging a similar national day. t They also point out that thousands of young people have emigrated to many of these countries. The Special Days Committee sees 'Grandmothers’ Day as a reminder to them that granny is still back there at home, and that they should let her know she is still in their hearts. “It is a chance for people to show their feelings,” says Mr Simpson. “I predict confidently that by next year, Grandmothers’ Day will be obsolutely international.” There seems little reason why it should not catch on, he claims, despite scathing criticism at the outset. But complaints that the unfortunate grannies or at least their families will be exploited for commercial gain do not perturb the Special Days Committee. SENTIMENT BASIS “When you look back through the history of trade, most things are based on some sentimental occasion,” Mr Simpson says. “In any case, take Christmas, birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. If you cut them all out, life would be pretty dull and unfeeling, wouldn’t it? There wouldn’t be much left.”

As a starter, the Special pays Committee is suggesting we buy granny a gift. “A nice bunch of flowers, or a pretty greeting card,” is Mr Simpson’s suggestion. “Even if you don’t give her anything at all.” he says, “ati [least go to see her. Make her feel you love her and that; she is a real part of the; family. —Features International. I