Christmas time is here, and friends and family are near! The holidays are the perfect time to include older loved ones in holiday-themed activities. Group activities provide an excellent way for your senior relatives to socialize, which can reduce senior isolation and loneliness that can occur during the winter months. Whether it’s helping plan Christmas dinner or making cute crafts just for fun, your loved one will enjoy participating. You might wonder what fun things you can do to have a holly, jolly Christmas.
Sing Holiday Songs
Whether it’s Christmas carols or your favorite songs, let music fill the air with positivity. For seniors, music can enhance mood and memory, keep the blood pressure in check, and bring relief from any anxiety. Moreover, as seniors recall long-forgotten songs, the younger generation adds their favorites to the mix, making the atmosphere lively and festive.
Cook A Delicious Meal
If your loved one is physically capable, cooking a Christmas meal together is one of the best Christmas activities for the elderly. Ask them to share their traditional recipes or seek their help in preparing for the big Christmas dinner. Cooking is an excellent activity that stimulates the intellect and can make your aging loved one feel involved. If they can’t cook or prep, you could even ask for help in tasting and taking their opinion. Anything that makes seniors feel purposeful is beneficial for their mental wellbeing.
Watch A Holiday Movie
‘Tis the season to be jolly and catch a fantastic holiday movie with the family. Make your Christmas merrier by watching movies that the whole family enjoys together. It is one Christmas activity for the elderly that brings everyone together for a few hours. Select a movie that your aging loved ones would enjoy while making sure others will have a good time too. Watching a holiday movie is a way for seniors to forget their worries and stress about health and other age-related problems.
Unwrap Gifts
The best part about holidays is the gifts! While you could involve seniors to wrap gifts with you, unwrapping them is just as fun. This activity also improves hand-eye coordination and makes them feel loved and cared for. Although they may value family time much more than material gifts, they are sure to appreciate a thoughtful gift that improves their everyday life.