Christmas is a special time of year for the whole family. But Christmas for seniors can be a time when they feel lonely and left out. If you have an elderly relative or neighbor, why not include them in the holiday celebrations?
Some of the best ways to spread holiday cheer are very simple. Just spending some quality time with them can make all the difference.
If you’re looking for some gift ideas that will help make Christmas special for seniors, consider getting them something that will help them stay connected with loved ones.
A photo album or scrapbook is a great way to help them keep memories alive, and a digital photo frame is a wonderful way for them to display pictures of their friends and family.
Here are some ideas for Christmas activities for seniors to make sure your elderly loved one has a special holiday season:
1. Bring Christmas cheer to them. If your elderly loved one can’t come to you, then go to their own home! Bring along some holiday decorations and music to help get them into the festive spirit.
2. Start a new tradition. If your elderly loved one is unable to travel or doesn’t have many family members nearby, consider starting a new tradition. This could be something as simple as having a special dinner on Christmas Eve or going for a holiday-themed outing.
3. Make sure they’re included. Whether your elderly loved one is living at home or in a nursing facility, make sure they’re included in the holiday festivities. This might mean decorating their room or taking them to a holiday party.
4. Keep them active. Many seniors become more sedentary as they age, which can lead to boredom and depression. During the holidays, make sure your elderly loved one is getting enough exercise. This could mean going for walks together or participating in an exercise class.
5. Stimulate their mind. Games, puzzles, and other mental activities are great ways to keep an elderly person entertained. This is especially important if they’re dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Get them involved in volunteering. The holidays are a great time to give back to the community. If your elderly loved one is able, consider involving them in a volunteering opportunity. This could be anything from wrapping gifts at a local hospital to delivering meals to homebound seniors.
7. Connect with other family and friends. The holidays can be a lonely time for seniors, especially if they live alone or are estranged from family members. Make an effort to connect with them, whether it’s through a phone call, text, email, or video chat. Even if you can’t be there in person, let them know you’re thinking of them.
8. Christmas caroling. This can be a fun activity, even if you are just doing it indoors as a family with friends gathered. But if you can get out and go caroling through the neighborhood, that can be fun too.
9. Reminisce through photos and videos. It’s wonderful to spend some time with your older adults and hear the stories of how they grew up, family members are long gone, etc.
10. Record their stories. Along with reminiscing, you can also video record them telling their stories and you may even want to “interview” them. Ask them questions about their lives and their parents' lives.
11. Take them on a special outing. Sometimes the best way to beat the holiday blues is to get out of the house and do something fun. If your schedule permits, take your elderly loved one on a special outing like seeing the holiday lights or going ice skating.
12. The best gift can be one that keeps on giving. A subscription to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu would be a great option, or you could get them a gift card to their favorite restaurant or store.
13. Help them stay connected. Social media can be a great way for elderly loved ones to stay connected with family and friends, especially if they live far away. If your loved one isn’t already on social media, help them set up an account and show them how to use it.
14. Plan regular outings. If you live nearby, make a plan to go out on special weekly or monthly outings with them. This could be a Wednesday lunch date or a movie date once a month, etc.
15. Give them the gift of connection. A gift like Amazon’s Echo Show can be used for many different skills but one great skill is video chats. Get yourself an Echo Show and the two of you can connect virtually.
16. Collect some great DVD movies. Make it a regular date night with them to watch some of their (and yours too) favorite movies. Put that DVD player to good use!
17. Play games together. Games are a fun way to spend time with someone of any age. Whether you play cards, chess, or another type of game, you’re sure to have a good time.
18. Do some of your favorite Christmas crafts together. Crafts are a great way to pass the time and can be very therapeutic. If you’re not sure what kind of craft to do, look online for ideas or ask the person you’re crafting with for suggestions.
19. Put together a Gingerbread house! It’s not just for kids, putting together a gingerbread house or even an entire gingerbread village can be a lot of fun for everyone involved!
20. Conduct a donation drive. Start a neighborhood campaign to gather donated toys for a local toy drive.
21. Create some homemade food gifts. You can share these with neighbors and friends! Anything from homemade tomato sauce to Pumpkin Butter, etc. This is always a thoughtful gift to give.
22. Make a meal as your grandparents made. Some of our best memories are of the foods that our mothers used to make. And that doesn’t go away no matter how old you are. So, pull out those recipes or do the best you can to replicate the wonderful meals they made.
23. Read a Christmas classic. Gather friends and/or family in front of a fire (real or fake), serve some hot cocoa and cookies, and read The Night Before Christmas!
24. Make some homemade Christmas tree decorations. It could be stringing popcorn, or creating ornaments.
25. Advent calendar. Create your very own advent calendar filled with your little gifts or things to do for each day of the month.
26. Have conversation pieces around. A game like I should have known that or an interesting knick-knack will do.
27. Christmas cookies are a must! It just doesn’t seem like Christmas without the cookies, right? So pull out your favorite recipes and get baking. This can be a fun thing to do with the younger generation in the house.
28. Get moving with a great activity game. This Angler Ring Toss Game can be a fun Christmas activity that you can play every year!
29. Play some holiday music. Especially if you include the kind of music that your senior loved ones enjoy!
30. For those living in a senior living community. If your senior loved ones are in an assisted living or nursing home, join whatever celebration they are providing for their residents.
Note: If your senior loved one is inflicted with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, take a look at our December Activities For Seniors With Dementia for some activity ideas.
All in all, there are so many special ways that you can show the older adults in your life how much you appreciate and love them.
Christmas activities for elderly adults can be incorporated into traditional family events or new traditions. Either way, they can be fun for everyone.
The Bottom Line:
Old age tends to become a lonely journey. However, if you engage with your parents and encourage them to try new hobbies and explore new things, it can become a fun process!
If you’re looking for elderly care services at home, Decena Home Care is here to help you or your loved one. We are passionate and committed to providing excellent quality in-home service to help seniors enjoy their "golden years" in their own homes. Talk to our caring staff to learn more about how we can help! (571) 508 - 7144.