Bringing Holiday Cheer to Loved Ones in Care Centers

The holiday season is a time for connection and celebration, but it can also be challenging for those with loved ones in care centers. With some thoughtful planning and creativity, this season can be special for everyone. Here are some ideas for connecting with your loved one during the holidays!

1. Plan Visits and Virtual Gatherings

• Arrange for regular in-person visits throughout the holiday season. Consider creating a family schedule to ensure your loved one has consistent companionship.

• Set up video calls for distant relatives using user-friendly platforms like Zoom or FaceTime. Plan these calls during key moments, like Christmas morning or New Year's Eve countdown, to make them feel part of the celebration.

• Organize a "holiday parade" where family members drive by the care center with decorated cars, holding up signs and waving to your loved one.

  
  

2. Decorate Their Space

• Bring in a small artificial tree and their own ornaments to decorate it together during your visits. Bring their favorite nativity set or special decorations they cherish.

• Create a "memory wall" with holiday photos from past years and recent family pictures.

• Craft a personalized advent calendar with small gifts or notes for each day, giving them something to look forward to daily.

  
  

3. Holiday Activities and Crafts

• Do simple crafts together, like making ornaments, holiday cards, or decorations for their room.

• Play holiday-themed games like bingo, trivia, or memory games that are easy to participate in and involve the whole family. 

• Organize a holiday-themed scavenger hunt in their room or the care center's common areas (with staff permission).

• Bring materials for simple food-based activities, like decorating pre-baked cookies or assembling a gingerbread house.

  
  

4. Music and Entertainment

• Create a personalized holiday playlist with their favorite songs and use a small, easy-to-operate music player.

• Arrange for local school choirs or community groups to perform at the care center (coordinate with staff).

• Host a "holiday movie marathon" over several visits with themed snacks.

  
  

5. Include Them in Traditions

• Find ways to include them in family traditions, such as lighting the menorah, opening presents via video call, or sharing holiday meals.

• Create a "holiday-in-a-box" with elements of your family traditions (e.g., special ornaments, traditional foods, family recipes) to share during visits.

• Start a new tradition of creating a yearly family newsletter or video with your loved one as the "editor-in-chief."

• When possible, take holiday traditions to them and create new ones that are adapted to their current living situation and capabilities.

  
  

  

  
  

6. Personalized Gifts

• Give meaningful and practical gifts, such as warm blankets, photo albums, or a digital frame with family pictures.

• Make a custom photo blanket or pillow featuring family pictures.

• Encourage other family members to make handmade gifts or write letters, adding a personal touch.

  
  

7. Support from Care Center Staff

• Work closely with staff to understand your loved one's daily routine and plan visits and activities accordingly.

• Ask about volunteer opportunities at the care center during the holidays. These opportunities allow you to spend more time there while helping others.

  
  

8. Engage Their Senses

• Use scented candles, essential oils, or potpourri in their room with different holiday aromas like cinnamon, pine, and peppermint.

• Bring in their favorite holiday treats that they can enjoy! 

• Decorate their room so it looks festive and engaging. 

  
  

9. Stay Positive and Flexible

• Keep a journal of positive moments and share these reflections during your visits.

• Practice mindfulness techniques together, focusing on the present moment and finding joy in small things.

• Be prepared with multiple activity options, allowing you to adapt based on your loved one's energy and mood.

  

  
  

10. Reflect on the Past and Present

• Create a "This Day in History" calendar, highlighting family events and historical happenings for each day of the holiday season.

• Reminisce about past holidays and share stories and photos, helping them feel connected to family traditions, but also focus on creating new, joyful memories together, no matter how small.

• Use technology like digital photo frames or tablets to create rotating displays of family photos and videos, sparking conversations about cherished memories.

By incorporating these ideas, you can create a beautiful and joy-filled holiday experience for your loved one in a care center. Remember, the goal is to foster connection, stimulate their senses, and create new, joyful memories together. Your efforts will brighten their holidays and strengthen your bond in meaningful ways. Embrace this opportunity to redefine what the holidays mean for your family and create traditions that honor your loved one's current circumstances while celebrating the season.