For many, this time of year is filled with beautiful decorations, delicious food and quality time with family and friends. It is important to remember that for some, the holiday season can be a difficult and emotional time. Some seniors may even feel more lonely and isolated than usual for a variety of reasons. We’ve put together a few ideas to help spread some holiday cheer to all of the seniors in your life!
Decorating their living space – We love heading to the dollar store during the holidays to buy window decals, streamers, and other festive knick knacks to liven up a senior’s living space. Feel free to do this as a surprise for them or include them to make the activity a fun outing.
Bring them festive hats – Nothing encapsulates the light and cheery mood of the holiday season like some festive hats! Antlers, Santa hats, or even hanukkiah hats are silly and can bring an easy smile to anyone’s face!
Bake some treats – We love simple sugar cookies shaped with cookie cutters into dreidels or reindeer! Again, feel free to turn this into an activity that you can do together.
Make time for face-to-face – A visit or an outing can sometimes make all the difference. If your loved one lives far away, you can also do a video call with them. Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for seniors to find some tools that make it extra easy to have a video call with the less tech-savvy seniors in your life.
Include them in your holiday plans – This one might go without saying, but keep in mind that holiday planning goes beyond the celebrations! Going out shopping? Give yourself a buffer of time to bring your loved one along with you. Planning a trip? Make a stop at your loved one’s home before heading to the airport.
Create a personalized care package – If you really want to make someone feel special during this time of year, a personalized care package is a perfect idea! Create a package of any size including things that your loved one will truly appreciate or need. Our Holiday Gift Guide for Seniors has tons of ideas for things you can include!
Go for a drive to look at the holiday lights – We love this activity! It is an outing that provides stimulation for the senses without requiring too much physical effort for those who may have reduced mobility. Pick up some hot cocoa for your drive to make it extra festive (Be sure to let it cool down before drinking)!
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