10 Christmas Activities for Care Homes
Many people believe that incorporating activities into daily life is more difficult due to the cold weather and lack of outdoor activities which also means residents aren't keeping active during the winter months. However, there are several ways for residents to not only stay active but also get involved in festive fun through a weekly activities programme throughout the winter. The festive season is a truly special time in care homes, offering a wonderful opportunity to create warm, joyful moments for residents, their families, and staff.
In this blog, we will explore our top 10 Christmas activities for you to incorporate into your daily life this Christmas time.
1. Decorate the Christmas Tree Together
Setting up the Christmas tree is a beloved tradition that marks the start of the festive season. You could invite loved ones of residents to come together and help decorate with beautiful Christmas tree ornaments. Take residents out to get a mix of traditional decorations, like baubles and tinsel, and encourage them to add their own decorations from home if they have them—these personal touches can bring back fond memories. While decorating, you could play some classic Christmas songs like Silent Night or Jingle Bells to create a cosy atmosphere full of festive spirit.
2. Host an Arts and Crafts Session for Christmas Cards and Wreaths
Arts and crafts are always a great activity in care homes all year round as they encourage residents to bring out their creative side and there are many different topics you could use to relate the sessions to Christmas. One example includes residents creating handmade Christmas cards for their loved ones or wreath-making using ribbons, pinecones, and holly to make festive decorations that can brighten up their rooms or communal areas.
3. Host a Christmas Carol Sing-Along
Few things capture the holiday spirit like Christmas carols. Hosting a festive sing-along session featuring everyone’s favourite carols, such as O Holy Night or We Wish You a Merry Christmas is a great way to encourage conversation between residents and visitors about their favourite Christmas carols and if they have ever taken part with their family or a local group. If possible, consider inviting a local school choir or members of the local community to join in—it’s a wonderful way to create a sense of togetherness and improve intergenerational connection. For those who prefer to listen rather than sing, the carols are still sure to lift their spirits.
4. Organise a Christmas Jumper Day
Another great activity idea is hosting a Christmas Jumper Day. You can invite residents, staff, family members and even the local community to wear their most colourful Christmas jumpers to celebrate the festive season as it’s an easy way to bring joy to everyone’s day. For extra fun and a bit of friendly competition, you can hold a “best Christmas jumper” contest with small prizes for the most creative or amusing designs.
5. Enjoy a Christmas Quiz or Bingo
Christmas quizzes are a great opportunity to spark lively conversations and memories of past festive seasons. You could include questions about favourite carols, Christmas movies, or festive traditions, which can help with reminiscence and improve cognitive function. Alternatively, decorate bingo cards with Christmas-themed icons such as candy canes, mince pies, or gingerbread houses and throw a Christmas bingo game. Both activities encourage residents to socialise and keep their minds active, all while sharing festive cheer.
6. Go on a Christmas Lights Tour
Use an in-house minibus or car if you have one to take residents on a Christmas lights tour of the local community. Many towns and villages put on stunning displays during the holiday season, and seeing the colourful lights can be a magical experience. For those unable to travel, you could bring the lights to them by decorating the home's outdoor spaces with Christmas lights to create a bright wonderland that everyone can enjoy.
7. Plan a Festive Movie Afternoon with Hot Chocolate
A cosy afternoon watching Christmas movies is perfect for residents who enjoy a more relaxed activity or those who want to wind down after a day out wrapped in their woollies. Ask residents what their favourite movies are and stock up the shelves for the season. To make the experience even more special, you could set up a hot chocolate bar with whipped cream, marshmallows, and candy canes for residents to enjoy while they watch. The combination of a good film, a warm drink, and a comfortable setting is a perfect way to get away from the cold.
8. Bake Mince Pies and Gingerbread Houses
Festive baking is a sensory delight and an activity that many older adults enjoy. Organise a session where residents can help bake traditional mince pies, and gingerbread cookies, or even build and decorate gingerbread houses. This not only is a great opportunity for residents to spend time together and improve their cognitive function, but it also brings some delicious smells throughout the home. Plus, the result is a delicious treat to enjoy or share with loved ones.
9. Celebrate with a Christmas Lunch and Party
Christmas Day is the highlight of the festive period in care homes. Put a twist on a traditional Christmas lunch with roast turkey, stuffing, and mince pies by adding some of the residents' favourite foods around this time of year. To make it even more special, you could host a Christmas party before or after the meal with festive music and dancing. Involving residents in the planning of the day - whether this includes creating and putting up decorations in the dining room or helping to create a menu will help them feel valued and provide them with a sense of purpose.
10. Reconnect with Family Through Video Calls or Visits
For many residents, the festive season is an extra time to reconnect with family members. While in-person visits are ideal, not everyone may be able to make it due to distance or other circumstances. Organising video calls can help residents stay connected with those closest to them and ensure they still feel valued and supported during this time of year if loved ones are unable to visit. Seeing familiar faces and hearing warm holiday wishes can brighten their day and make the season feel truly special.
The Impact of Christmas Activities in Care Homes
Christmas activities have a huge impact that extends far beyond festive entertainment. For residents, especially those who may be living away from family for the first time or coping with health challenges, the festive season can be an emotional time. Thoughtful activities not only brighten their days but also foster a deep sense of connection, belonging, and joy.
Engaging in shared festive traditions such as decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols, or making Christmas cards encourages residents to relive fond memories of past Christmases which creates opportunities for storytelling and reflection. These moments can be particularly meaningful for those living with dementia, as familiar sights, sounds, and smells can evoke cherished memories and a comforting sense of continuity.
On a social level, Christmas activities help build community spirit within the care home. They bring residents, staff, and even visitors and loved ones together in shared celebrations, reinforcing bonds and combating feelings of isolation. For many, the festive season can be a time of loneliness, but a calendar of inclusive, joyful activities helps create a warm and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and included.
Celebrating Christmas at The Ashton Care Home
At The Ashton Care Home, Christmas is more than just a festive season—it’s a time to create cherished memories, foster a sense of belonging, and celebrate the warmth of community. We believe that every resident deserves a Christmas filled with joy, connection, and festive cheer, and our dedicated team goes above and beyond to make the holiday period truly special for those who are part of the Ashton family.
Our calendar is full of exciting and engaging events all month round, held in our beautiful in-house facilities. Whether they receive Nursing Care, Residential Care, Dementia Care or Respite Care, there is something for all of our residents to get involved in.
Come and check out our all-inclusive nursing home in Hinckley for yourself to see what daily life is like, meet our compassionate team and see if The Ashton would be the ideal care environment for you or your loved one.
