I make a big effort to bring the family together for all holidays and birthdays. we don't really do gifts, but we get together and have a big family meal (we look like the Blue Bloods around a very large table). The grands refer to them as "feasts". Their mom's say they are picky eaters and won't eat much, but the grandkids (ages 7, 4 , 2 and 2wks) sit at the table with perfect manners and say very gracious words like, "this is the best food ever". "this meat is so juicy and tender". "This is a real feast", and things usually only adults say, except they gush. I think the 2 yr old, eats her weight in good food, and the 4 year old always says a beautiful grace. I have Muscular Dystrophy, and can barely walk. I may not be able to cook and entertain much longer, so each holiday i secretly think it may be my last, but I push through the pain because I think family is so important. And each holiday, my kids pitch in more and more. This mothers day, the 7 yr old GD cleared the whole table by herself. WoW, I was so impressed (and told her so). I also hope my kids will get beyond the intense child raising of "babies", and continue the tradition, maybe at their house, where I will be a guest. But everyone loves to come to Meme and PopPop's house, sit on the screened in porch, and enjoy the farm, tractors, animals, and orchard. I will do it as long as I can.