Maybe you call her Nana. Maybe you call her Granny. Maybe you call her when you’re in trouble because you know she’ll be there for you at the drop of a hat. Whatever the case may be, today is her day. But it’s not just Grandma Day—oh no. This July 23, we celebrate National Gorgeous Grandma Day. Today’s the day to tell ol’ Granny just how stunning she really is. She looks fly for an eighty year old, you have to admit. We bet all the grandpas are dying to get with her.
When is National Gorgeous Grandma Day 2024?
National Gorgeous Grandma Day is celebrated annually on July 23.
History of National Gorgeous Grandma Day
National Gorgeous Grandma Day is celebrated annually on July 23. As the name of the holiday suggests, our dearest, cuddliest grandmothers are celebrated. Grandmothers endlessly love and treasure their families, and typically have an infectious love for life. They have experienced a lot and have the best words of wisdom for us. With all the aches and pains of old age, most grandmothers have positive attitudes and amazing energy, which radiates into our lives. The day aims to celebrate women over the age of 50 and encourages them to defy society’s standards and live it up a bit.
We love our grandmothers but, most of the time, we see them in a stereotypical old-fashioned way. Grandmothers are expected to be calm, collected, have an outdated style, and spend their days baking and knitting. Society’s narrow perception that women shouldn’t dress up, wear bright colors, and go on dates after the age of 50 is primitive. National Gorgeous Grandma Day intends to dispel this mindset and encourage people not to frown upon ladies over the age of 50 who are not ready to retire to a quiet life yet.
Alice Solomon graduated at the age of 50 from Wellesley College in 1984. She realized that society saw her and other women of her age as senior citizens, regardless of whether or not they were actual ‘grandmothers.’ Determined to challenge this thinking, she came up with the idea of ‘Gorgeous Grandma.’ Women who were apparently ‘beyond their expiration date’ and no longer relevant are termed as ‘grandmas,’ so Solomon decided to embrace the term, but amped it up with the use of the word ‘gorgeous.’ Gorgeous Grandma is all about presenting an edgier image of older women and eliminating stereotypes confining them in a limited box.
National Gorgeous Grandma Day timeline
1984
Get Gorgeous
Alice Solomon creates Gorgeous Grandma Day.
1985
Television’s Trendiest Grandmas
“The Golden Girls” airs on television, revolving around the lives of older women.
2011
Grandma Makeover
Kris Jenner gets a makeover on a segment of “Rachael Ray.”
2018
World’s Hottest Grandma
Gina Stewart is declared the ‘World’s Hottest Grandma.’
Traditions
If you are a grandmother or a woman who is in the age bracket that can be considered a grandmother, the traditions for the day is to make yourself the priority. Grandmothers spend most of their time loving their children and grandchildren, and looking after others. So the priority of the day is to pamper yourself and do something exciting that you normally wouldn’t on a regular day. Try a new class, make a Tik Tok video, blog, or even skateboard (if your body allows it).
Those who have a grandma or know an elderly female family member or friend, making the day exciting for them is a tradition. Spend time with them, pamper them, have fun, and get them to try something new. Think out of the box, and defy assumed age limitations!
Gorgeous Grandma Day By The Numbers
50 – the age at which Alice Solomon graduated from Wellesley College in 1984.
60 – the age at which Flo Meiler took up track and field.
65 – the age at which Flo Meiler tried pole vault for the first time.
10% – the percentage of grandmas who have tattoos.
43% – the percentage of grandparents who exercise and play sports regularly.
34 – the age at which Whoopi Goldberg became a grandmother.
85% – the percentage of grandmothers who bake cookies.
40% – the percentage of grandmothers who have intercourse at least twice a week.
75% – the percentage of wealth in the U.S. controlled by grandparents.
National Gorgeous Grandma Day FAQs
How do you celebrate Gorgeous Grandma Day?
Get personal. Forget phone calls and video calls, spend the day with your grandmother and engage her in activities like bicycling or dressing up. You’ll be surprised at how cool your grandma really is!
Why is Grandma special?
A grandmother’s love is a special kind. It is pure and unconditional, and overlooks all faults and flaws of her children and grandchildren.
Do you celebrate grandmas on Mothers Day?
Grandmothers ARE mothers, so when celebrating our parents, we also celebrate their parents!
National Gorgeous Grandma Day Activities
Take her shopping
When’s the last time you treated your grandma to a date? Today is the day to pamper her and treat her the way she deserves. Take this time to go shopping with her. Spoil her. Give her a modern day makeover and make her feel like the young fox she once was. (Well, is, really. Did we mention our grandmas are gorgeous yet? Grandma, if you’re reading this, you’re a foxy babe.)
Send her a card
Leave FaceTime, texting, and phone calls behind in the past. Do something out of the ordinary, with more meaning, that will make your gorgeous grandma smile from ear to ear. Purchase a blank card from your local convenience store, and let her know what she means to you. Send her flowers with the card! Just like One Direction would say “[Your grandma] doesn’t know she’s beautiful, oh oh.” It’s your job to remind her. So go get em, tiger!
Join the conversation – #GorgeousGrandma
Let the world know how gorgeous your grandma truly is by posting pictures of you two having a blast. Use the hashtag #GorgeousGrandma to see other Nanas out there. Have fun! But remember—yours is always going to be the hottest. She says so.
5 Facts About National Gorgeous Grandma Day That Will Blow Your Mind
Good influences
Some of the most prominent people in the world, like Jack Nicholson and Barack Obama, were raised by their grandparents.
They are not that old
The average age of a grandparent in the U.S. is around 48.
Definitely not old!
The world’s youngest grandmother is Rifca Stanescu — a 23-year-old from Romania.
It does BEE like that sometimes.
Due to the biological process of haplodiploidy, male bees can only have grandfathers and grandsons but not sons or fathers.
It’s fulfilling
Three out of four grandparents love being one and think it’s “the single most important and satisfying thing in their life.”
Why We Love National Gorgeous Grandma Day
She makes the best. food. ever.
Think about it, who makes the best food in your family? Whose food do you look forward to during the holidays? It’s always Grandma’s, am I right? Now, calm down—this is not an attack on other family members. But we’re just saying, no one in history has ever said, “This Mac’N’Cheese is amazing. Just like Uncle Jim Bob used to make it!” Well, one person out there might have said it, but you know what we mean. Grandmas make the best dishes. Period. Live with it, Uncle Jim Bob. Jim Bob’s probably not as gorgeous as Grandma, either. She takes the cake (see what we did there) for cooking with style and panache. Speaking of which, we’re hungry. Do you think our grandmas would make us some food?
She has (less than) no filter
Most gorgeous grandmothers have the tendency to say whatever comes to mind, no matter who they are around. We aren’t sure what the reason is, but we’ve narrowed it down to two possibilities. They either don’t care, or they don’t know what they are saying is “politically incorrect.” Either way, we’re 100% here for it. It may not fit in with our society’s standards, but it’s entertaining to say the least. Is this a good time to mention how gorgeous our grandmas look while spouting politically incorrect nonsense? No? Well we did it anyway. Our grandmas are beautifuland we don’t care who knows it. Take that, world!
She's a rebel with a cause
Grandmas are badasses set in their ways, and they typically don’t like to listen to rules. Especially rules like, “Do not give Johnny Jr. ice cream, Mom.” Saying that to the average grandma is like telling her not to push a giant red button. Forget about it. Grandmas love to spoil their children regardless of what they are told. And so even though we love our gorgeous grandmas, we suspect our children love them even more. They’re not thinking about things like early onset diabetes—oh no. They’re just reveling in sugar highs all day.
National Gorgeous Grandma Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | July 23 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | July 23 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | July 23 | Thursday |
| 2027 | July 23 | Friday |
| 2028 | July 23 | Sunday |
Let’s get social
Here are some special hashtags for the day.
#GorgeousGrandmaDay #GorgeousGrandma #GrandmaDearest #GorgeousGrandmaDayIdeas #GrandmotherGifts
As a seasoned expert in cultural observances and celebrations, particularly those rooted in challenging societal norms and promoting positive aging, I can confidently delve into the fascinating topic of National Gorgeous Grandma Day. With a wealth of knowledge about the historical context, key figures, and societal impact surrounding this unique celebration, I am well-equipped to shed light on its origins and evolution.
The inception of National Gorgeous Grandma Day can be traced back to the visionary Alice Solomon, a graduate of Wellesley College in 1984. Solomon, recognizing the societal tendency to perceive women over 50 as senior citizens, decided to challenge this notion by embracing the term 'grandma' while injecting it with a fresh perspective—hence, the birth of 'Gorgeous Grandma.' This movement aims to redefine the perception of older women, urging society to break free from outdated stereotypes and appreciate the vitality and wisdom that grandmothers bring to the table.
The celebration, observed annually on July 23, encourages women over 50 to defy societal standards and live life to the fullest. It seeks to dispel narrow perceptions that confine grandmothers to traditional roles, urging them to embrace an edgier image and reject age-related limitations. The day is not just about acknowledging the age but celebrating the positive energy, wisdom, and infectious love for life that grandmothers exude.
To bolster the significance of National Gorgeous Grandma Day, key milestones and events in its timeline are highlighted, such as the creation of the day by Alice Solomon in 1984 and the emergence of influential representations of older women on television, such as "The Golden Girls." Additionally, notable instances like Kris Jenner's makeover on "Rachael Ray" in 2011 and Gina Stewart being declared the 'World's Hottest Grandma' in 2018 further underscore the impact of challenging stereotypes related to age and appearance.
The traditions associated with the day emphasize the importance of making grandmothers the priority, encouraging them to indulge in activities that bring them joy and excitement. Whether it's trying new experiences, making TikTok videos, blogging, or even skateboarding (if their body allows), the goal is to break free from societal expectations and celebrate life.
Furthermore, the numerical insights provided in the article, ranging from the age at which Alice Solomon graduated to the percentage of grandmothers with tattoos, add depth to our understanding of the diversity and dynamism of this demographic. The inclusion of a timeline, highlighting key moments in the evolution of National Gorgeous Grandma Day, serves to underscore the cultural and societal shifts that have contributed to its prominence.
To conclude, National Gorgeous Grandma Day is a celebration that goes beyond the superficial, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the unique qualities, experiences, and contributions of women over the age of 50. The day challenges stereotypes and societal norms, fostering an environment where grandmothers can truly embrace their vitality, wisdom, and, of course, their gorgeousness.
