The Christmas holiday is usually a time where families will gather together and spend time together as a family. It could be a very stressful time for our elderly loved ones, who might not be able to keep up with the rest of the family anymore. They would feel left out, bored, and maybe even sad if they were only sitting around doing nothing the whole time. Christmas activities for seniors can help them stay occupied, engaged, and active throughout the day, so your loved ones will have a happy holiday that doesn’t leave them feeling bored or lonely.

In order for your loved ones to be engaged and excited on this special day, you must choose some fun activities for them to do and make a schedule for them to follow. It’s better if you start preparing now so that you can relax from all the busy Christmas rush. However, selecting meaningful activities can be a little tricky. At Serenity Senior Care, it’s our goal to make the lives of the elderly as comfortable as possible. We have compiled this list of engaging activity ideas you and your loved one can enjoy on this special holiday.

Why Need to Ensure Our Loved Ones Stay Engaged And Active?

It is important that seniors are not just kept at home for Christmas time, but rather given activities to do which will keep them from getting bored. As the elderly are prone to falling sick or having some condition that could make it difficult for them to leave the house and go out with you, it is important to find ways to stay healthy and engage.

Christmas activities for seniors are a great way to keep the elderly’s body and mind active. Keeping their minds active will help slow down their memory decline and keep their brain healthy. While keeping the body in good shape will keep them away from unwanted falls and injuries.

To ensure your loved ones are engaged, you need to choose an activity that they will enjoy and at the same time feel happy about taking part in. If it is physical activity such as running, playing sports, walking on the treadmill, etc., you may have to set time limits for the elderly so that they can get the most benefit from the whole workout.

15 Fun Christmas Activities for Seniors

1.) Organize a Craft Party With The Family

It is an excellent way for older adults to be around others and occupy their time in a festive way. Christmas crafts are colorful and bountiful, so you are sure to find something that will interest your elderly loved one. You can pick out crafts that the whole family can learn together and make to give as presents at Christmas.

Some of the simple but fun crafts for seniors to make this Christmas are:

2.) Plan A Special Holiday Dinner

What could be better than planning a special dinner with your elderly loved one on Christmas Day? You and your family can cook so many interesting recipes together and some festive holiday main courses that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds. You can even make plans for dessert and have the whole family pitch in with ideas for Christmas cookies or cakes to make.

3.) Remember A Special Holiday Memory

There’s nothing like talking about happy memories from the past with someone you love to bring them joy during Christmas Day. Your elderly loved one will love being reminded of special times with their family, like when they first met your father or mother. They’ll appreciate it if you share some of your favorite stories as well. It is indeed one of the best Christmas activities for seniors.

4.) Play Cards Or Other Games

Another good way to get your family member involved in fun activities is by playing games with them. There are so many card games that you can play, and you’ll be able to share a family bonding moment with your senior loved one. Some good Christmas party games include Apples To Apples, Balderdash, Pictionary, and many more.

5.) Watch Movie Together

Nothing gets our family members to engage as much as watching a good movie. You can choose a classic movie to share with your loved one and see if they remember it, or if you can make a new favorite. You can also get your senior loved one to teach the rest of the children a special activity they used to do, like putting on their shoes or combing their hair.

6.) Sing Together

Singing together is regarded as one of the most ancient forms of bonding and expression. Rather than singing Christmas carols, it’s also fun for them to sing along with classic Christmas songs, such as “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”

7.) Learn a New Skill

There are many different crafts your loved one can learn that will give them something to show off once done. Encourage your loved one to try learning how to crochet, knit, paint, or even woodwork. If you are busy planning and preparing for the Christmas holiday or don’t have the time to attend to your loved one’s needs every time, you may hire a home care aide to assist them in their daily routine. At Serenity Senior Care, we can provide you with a reliable home care aide to ensure the safety of your loved ones.

8.) Read A Book Together

Aside from sharing some good memories with your loved ones, reading a book together is also an excellent way for them to keep their minds active and engaged. You can choose to pick out a new story or one from your childhood so that you can see if your senior loved one remembers the book at all.

9.) Play A Musical Instrument

Playing an instrument is one of the best Christmas activities for seniors. It is ideal for keeping their hands and eyes busy. Luckily, there are many instruments you can play, including the guitar, piano, and violin. You can also ask them to learn a special song together with you as a family for all to sing.

10.) Take A Stroll Through The Neighborhood

Get your older adults out of the house and into the fresh air. You can get them to join you in your walk and teach them how to share the joys of the holiday spirit with strangers.

11.) Get Creative With Paint or Clay

Another way your loved one can stay creative is by using paint, clay, or other similar materials. You can choose to make your own personalized Christmas decoration and give it as a gift to your loved one.

12.) Go For A Drive

The Christmas holiday is such a busy time that sometimes we tend to forget the important things in life. Going for a drive is a way to remind your family members of the simple pleasures in life, and you can even have them work on their crossword puzzles while they’re at it.

13.) Take A Holiday Photo

Taking a holiday photo with your elderly loved one can be a wonderful experience for everyone! This is not only an opportunity to remember the wonderful special times you spent together but also to capture some happy memories for all generations to enjoy.

14. Organize A Secret Santa Gift Exchange

One way to have your family bond this Christmas day is through a secret Santa gift exchange. This is a fun Christmas activities for seniors to take part in because it gets them to participate in the holiday. By having a secret Santa gift exchange, you’ll be able to keep your family members involved on Christmas Day.

15.) Make Decorations for the Christmas Tree

Many seniors like to decorate their Christmas trees with special ornaments. However, you might want to put a bit of your spin on the decorations by making some homemade decorations.

At Serenity Senior Care, we care deeply about our clients and families. We realize that Christmas can be a very daunting time for our seniors. As you can see, there are many fun activities you can do with your elderly loved one during Christmas Day to make the celebrations more memorable and festive. We hope this piece will give you some inspiration on how to make your loved one’s Christmas wishes come true. To learn more, don’t hesitate to call us at 973-338-0124.

15 Fun Activities For The Elderly To Do On Christmas Holiday