Christmas 2022 is fast approaching and appears to be the first Christmas since 2019/20 without national lockdown restrictions affecting the way we celebrate Christmas, hooray! So, with a somewhat normal Christmas ahead, what activities can we host that are fun and festive for everyone regardless of age and ability!
Christmas Crafts
Christmas is a great time for creating festive crafts. There are many simple and meaningful crafts you can make with the people you support to get in the festive spirit.
Wreaths – create a Christmas wreath with the people you support to hang on the doors of the people you support’s rooms. There are many options depending on capabilities and your risk assessments from coloured wreath to fresh wire wreaths.
Card making – decorate Christmas cards with the people you support to send to their families or for a card swap within your service. The cards can be as simple as a Christmas photo taken of each person with a message on the back.
Centrepieces – if you’re planning on having a Christmas meal with the people you support, decorate centrepieces for the tables. These can be as intricate as decorated logs or snowy mason jars with LED candles in.
Food
Food is a huge and important aspect of Christmas for many people and activities centred around fluid and nutrition can be beneficial to those living in care.
Treat tasting – try all the Christmas goodies from mince pies to fruit cake, to sherry and eggnog. Did anyone have a sweet table just for the Christmas period and if so, what sweets did they have?
Cheese & wine (or wine alternative) evening – throw a special event for the people you support with cheese and wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative) and, if appropriate, invite their families to join the festivities. You could even hold a raffle and ask local businesses to donate prizes.
Baked goods decorating – there are many different baked goods available at Christmas time at varying levels of difficulty. Gingerbread houses are more difficult than they look while covering cookies and cakes with icing and sugared decorations are a little easier.
Making Memories
Reminiscence – Using reminiscence packs or information from the internet, discuss the Christmas traditions the people you support engaged in with their families. Are there any you could implement into your care service?
Movie showing & snacks – make Christmas Eve special with a showing of a Christmas film with hot chocolate and snacks.
Choir singing – spread the Christmas cheer by having a sing along. Instead of printing out songbooks, why not utilise YouTube and put the lyrics on a tv screen for everyone to see.
Check out our December activity planner for more ideas on what to do throughout the festive period. We’d love to see any photos of the activities you participate in, please send them to caring@nourishcare.co.uk or tag @NourishCare on social media.
