Christmas Crafts for Seniors: Best Ideas to Keep Your Loved Ones Busy and Entertained

Christmas is almost here, and for many seniors in your life, it can be a difficult time of the year. If you’re searching for something to do with that grandparent or elderly neighbor, we have compiled a list of 12 fun and easy Christmas crafts for seniors that will keep them entertained.

This collection is so easy that it can be done while they are watching TV, using the computer, or even doing housework! 

The Impact of Loneliness and Boredom on Seniors

If you are a caregiver, you’re probably aware that a lot of your time is spent on activities designed to keep your senior active and entertained. Seniors are just like the rest of us—they can get bored or lonely if they have too much time to spare.

As people age, they lose the ability to do some normal day-to-day activities. They might not be able to see as well as they once did or take care of themselves as well as they used to. It’s not just about the physical challenges of aging—there can also be mental or emotional issues that make life more difficult.

The end result is that seniors might find themselves bored, lonely, and even depressed. If you are a caregiver for a senior, it’s important to try to help keep them active and engaged. As you think about how to keep your senior busy, one of your first thoughts might be crafting. Crafting is something that most people enjoy, and it’s something that many seniors can do.

Physical Benefits of Crafting for Seniors

Whether it’s making a quilt or stitching a vintage fabric patch to a pillow, crafting can be a beneficial activity for seniors. 

• Helps Stimulates The Brain: Doing crafts requires focus, hands-on work, and planning. For example, making a cross-stitch pattern is a great way to stimulate brain activity, especially for seniors who might not have as much mental energy.
• Improves Dexterity: Handiwork and crafting both require that you use your hands in certain ways. They help improve fine motor skills, which will help your senior hold utensils or guide needles with more accuracy and confidence. 
• Improving Circulation: Crafting also involves using hand muscles to squeeze glue bottles or cut out shapes. The more movement seniors do with their hands; the more their circulation is improved over time. 
• Helps With Insomnia: Sleep is important for seniors. If your senior has trouble sleeping, crafts can be a great way to help them relax before bedtime. 
• Strengthens The Immune System: Our bodies’ natural ability to fight infection is not performing well as we age. This makes seniors more vulnerable to illness. Crafting is known to reduce stress levels; it can also boost a senior immune system. 

Therapeutic Benefits of Crafting

Not only is crafting a great way to entertain your senior but there are also therapeutic benefits. 

• Reduces Anxiety And Depression: When seniors are crafting, they feel relaxed, focus on the project at hand, and shut everything else out of their minds. This can help seniors who are suffering from anxiety and depression. 
• Improves Self-esteem: Seniors who are engaging in self-care activities like crafting have a new sense of confidence in themselves that helps them feel better about themselves. This is important because it will also help them be more independent. 
• Reduces Restlessness And Irritability: Older adults who are becoming less mobile or no longer live independently can become bored or lonely. This can lead to restlessness and irritability, which isn’t healthy for anyone. Crafting is a great way to help them combat this. 
• Builds Bonds Of Friendship: Friendship is important at any age, and crafting with your senior gives you an opportunity to form a bond with them. Crafting is a good way to maintain a relationship with your elderly family member or friend. 

10 Best Christmas Crafts for Seniors

So, whether your senior is bored, lonely, and looking for something new to do, or you’re looking for a simple craft project that will keep your senior busy, these craft ideas are sure to help! 

1. Cupcake Liner Christmas Tree Ornament

This is a fun Christmas craft that your grandparents will love! It isn’t too difficult, and it only uses a few supplies that you probably already have on hand. The best part is that they will only take a few minutes to create, which is perfect for when you’re in a rush. 

What You Need:

• Scissors
• White Card Stock
• Glue
• Cupcake Liners
• Ribbon or Yarn
• Foam Star Sticker

It is a great way to create memories by working with your grandparent’s hand in hand. And it helps your elderly loved ones improve their fine motor skills and dexterity. ABC’s of Literacy provides complete instructions to make this easy Christmas craft.

2. Christmas Tree Mason Jar Craft

Candles strongly affect the holiday season ambience, and you can create your own holding candles out of mason jars. It’s a great project for seniors, who are likely familiar with mason jars, and it’s also a useful craft that can be used year-round.

What You Need:

• Medium-sized Mason jars
• Multi-surface paint (red, green & gold)
• Christmas tree stickers
• Candles
• Paint brushes

The process of making this craft is simple and easy! Just follow this link to learn more about the step-by-step process of making this jar.

3. DIY Angel Ornament

Angels are best known for the part they played in the Christmas nativity story. So this project is a great way to bring the story of Christmas to life with your senior. This gorgeous angel ornament gives your Christmas tree a personal touch this year.

What You Need:

• Three small pieces of felt 
• Wire, cut about fourteen inches long
• Embroidery thread
• and a pattern

Not only will it make a great Christmas ornament for your loved one, but you can also use this as a gift for your friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers! It is easy to make and not expensive too. You can find the complete instructions at Crafti Staci.

4. Waterless Snow Globes

Snow globes are a favorite holiday decoration, but what if you can make your own without filling the globe with water? Waterless snow globes are one of the most fun holiday crafts for seniors and young children alike. What’s great about this craft is you only need to have a few simple supplies on hand.

What You Need:

• Glass jars (different sizes look best for a collection)
• Artificial Snow (you can use Snow Flakes and Twinkle Flakes)
• Assorted mini Christmas Trees and mini snowmen
• Hot glue gun and glue
• glitter (optional)
• Spray Adhesive (optional)
• Krylon Glitter Blast (or white spray paint)

They are perfect for a centerpiece, on a holiday table, or hung on your tree for Christmas. It is way better, cheaper, and prettier than you can buy at the store. You can find the complete instructions to make this easy holiday craft here.

5. Crochet Snowman Family

Snowman families are an excellent way to get in the holiday spirit. This is a great holiday decoration and a fun project to make with your senior loved ones. It will keep them busy and help them to focus on the task at hand, which is important as we age. 

What You Need:

• Handicrafter Cotton
• Crochet Hook
• 1 orange button for a nose
• Two black buttons for the eyes
• 2 yds or 1.8 m of black worsted weight yarn for embroidery
• Orange, red, and green felt for scarves

This Christmas crochet idea will surely melt your senior’s loved ones’ hearts and put a smile on their face. For the full instructions and complete materials list, go to  Fave Crafts.

6. Candy Cane Crochet Wreath

Whether you’re expecting family, friends, or carolers, providing a holiday welcome at the front door is always great. This candy cane wreath is a great way to welcome those who come to see your elderly loved one this holiday season.

What You Need:

• One package of Chenille stems
• Four balls of yarn in White and Red
• 12” Styrofoam wreath
• Florist U shape pins
• Size H crochet hook

This is easy to make, and it is a great way for your loved ones to commemorate the joy and happiness of Christmas. The complete instructions are at Fave Crafts.

7. Pine Cone Wreath Fall Craft

This is another great fall craft and Christmas decoration your elderly loved ones will love. Pine cones are a great way to make a wreath that is rustic and classic. This fall craft is simple to make, but it will give you plenty of time to spend with your loved one making memories together.

What You Need:

• Pine cones
• Leaves
• Some ribbon 
• Hot glue gun
• Grapevine wreath

Your senior loved ones will love this fall craft and this Christmas decoration as a way to reflect on their past and welcome the new year ahead of them. The instructions are available at All Free Holiday Crafts.

8. Craft Stick Christmas Tree

Popsicle sticks are an easy craft supply that’s great when you’re looking for a quick project. These Christmas trees are a great way to not only create an inexpensive holiday decoration but also showcase your loved ones’ artistic talent. And it provides the perfect opportunity for seniors to use their hands in a fun and productive way.

What You Need:

• Popsicle sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Paints (Shades of greens)
• Beads
• Glitters
• Pipe cleaners
• Pompoms

When you have these materials available, you and your senior can spend time together. This is a great Christmas craft for seniors to participate in. And it is also a good way for them to experience the joy of working within a team, which is important as we age. Check out the instructions for this easy Christmas craft at Meaningful Mama.

9. Easy Quilled Christmas Card

Quilling is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are shaped, rolled, and glued together to make beautiful and decorative designs. You can introduce this idea to your loved one and allow them to create beautiful Christmas cards for someone they truly love.

What You Need:

• Quilling paper strips
• ]Heavyweight card stock
• Craft glue
• Slotted quilling tool
• Scissors

Giving someone a handmade Christmas card is an excellent way to show your loved ones how much you care. This is a great craft for seniors to participate in as an opportunity for them to be creative and interactive. The Soccer Mom Blog is where you will find the tutorial for making this easy Christmas craft.

10. Jingle Bell Flowers

Jingle bell flowers are the perfect Christmas craft for seniors. These little decorations are easy to make and add a fun flair to any Christmas tree or gift bag. You can use these flowers as centerpieces on your tables during holiday dinners or hang them from your tree for a festive touch. 

What You Need: 

• 10″ piece of green yarn
• Red, green, and brown acrylic paint
• Cardboard egg carton
• One jingle bell for each flower
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Needle with a large eye
• Dish of water

If you love this craft idea, check out the full instructions and materials list at The Crafty Crow.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few great Christmas projects for seniors; some are easier than others, and it is easy to find the instructions for each of these crafts. Of course, if you need more ideas for Christmas crafts for seniors, you can go online and find much more. But these lists are a great way to start. You can also have seniors engaged in Fun Christmas Activities if they need something a little more active.

Sometimes due to challenges brought on by aging and other illnesses, seniors’ capability to create cool and creative things they used to do in the past may have been affected. So having someone to help them do this kind of activity can be extremely helpful. However, as someone with other responsibilities and work, you may not have enough time to help your loved one with their Christmas craft projects. So what can you do? 

Well, hiring a home health aide or a caregiver may be your best bet. A caregiver can help your loved one do their Christmas crafts while you’re busy with other things. They can also provide them with the necessary assistance and supervision, so they don’t get injured while doing this activity. Serenity Senior Care provides home health aides and caregivers who can assist and supervise your loved one. You may contact us to learn more about our caregiver services.