During these unprecedented times, the holidays are sure to be especially tough on our elderly friends. However, nursing home and assisted living facility residents can look forward to bringing in a bit of holiday cheer to their rooms and common areas through festive decorations. Decorating can be an easy way to bring a socially distanced activity to life with some fun crafts while listening to Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra croon the holiday classics.
Below are some ideas of decorations or craft supplies to donate to an area facility to help brighten these amazing residents day.
Note: before you buy any electrical items, such as the small Christmas trees, make sure to check with the staff of the home to see what restrictions they may have about these kinds of things.
DECORATIONS
- Christmas Stockings And Christmas Stocking Holders
There may not be a mantle in Grandma’s room but a Christmas stocking is a necessary Christmas decoration. Stockings with a 3M hook can make any room Santa ready!
- Holiday Window Clings
One of the very easiest holiday decorations for any home are holiday-themed window clings. Easy to put up and remove (no residue at all), window clings are sure to bring a smile to all who see them.
- Battery-Operated Christmas Lights
One of the easiest way to bring a merry Christmas or Hanukkah spirit to a boring environment is to add in some great lighting. Battery Christmas lights also come with a remote where, in some cases, even the color of the light can be changed!
- Small Artificial Christmas Trees
Taking a hint from Charlie Brown, a small artificial tree can still bring all the fun of the hoidays. Although the pine scent is missing, a small artificial tree might be just what’s needed to brighten up a nursing home room – note: add some of those battery operated Christmas lights and your loved one will certainly be in the holiday spirit.
- Miniature Ornaments
A little Christmas tree means that petite ornaments are in order. These can even be hung on draped garland down a hallway or around a door.
EASY HOLIDAY CRAFTS
Creating something always feels like a productive way to spend time. When your creations can become holiday decorations or gifts, all the better. Some simple holiday crafts can turn an independent living or assisted living facility into a place full of cheery holiday atmosphere and leave residents equipped with items they can give to friends and family.
Here are ten holiday crafts for seniors that are fairly easy to do and produce useful, festive results.
1. A Thankful Tree
Everyone could do with more frequent reminders of all the things we have to be thankful about. A thankful tree gives everyone around an opportunity to add their own items to it, listing off the people and things in life they’re most appreciative of.
It can stay up the whole holiday season and grow as the holidays provide more meaningful moments and forgotten memories come back to mind.
2. Fall Foliage Candleholders
Colorful fall leaves are one of nature’s best decorations. This craft starts with an excuse to get outside and collect some of the most beautiful leaves around, and then gives seniors the chance to turn them into crafts that will let their beauty continue to shine in the months to come.
3. Felted Acorns
Start with some simple acorns and end up with a colorful decoration everyone can enjoy. In October and November, these can be decorated in the traditional fall colors. As you near Christmas, you can switch to red and green. Or you can just let everyone pick their favorite colors as they go.
4. Christmas Candy Containers
Having candy available for visitors and friends is a familiar holiday tradition for many. With this craft the presentation can become that much more impressive. These containers, made to look like classic gumball machines, can be used to hold peppermints, gumdrops, or any sugarless candy that’s recommended for the seniors in your facility.
5. Homemade Christmas Cards
Cards may seem old fashioned these days with so many people switching to email, but if you give your Christmas cards a personal touch, friends and family are that much more likely to appreciate them.
There are a lot of different directions you can take with crafty homemade Christmas cards; here are a few ideas to give you some inspiration:
6. Homemade Heating Pads
Any time you’re faced with aches and pains, heat is a trusty solution. These heating pads are very easy to make and can be made properly festive by choosing a towel with a holiday-themed decoration on it. They make great gifts, or can be something useful to keep around for yourself.
7. Waterless Snow Globes
Making water-filled snow globes is probably pretty tricky, but these waterless ones are much easier and still accomplish the same goal. They’re lovely and give a great taste of the season.
8. Cookie Cutter Ornaments
Start with cookie cutters and then think creatively about how best to decorate them to make them more personal. You can add colors and design or fill them with pictures of beloved family members. Whatever direction you go in, they’ll make a great addition to the Christmas tree.
9. A Christmas Bow Wreath
What do you get when you combine two familiar Christmas symbols? This fun Christmas wreath made out of gift bows. It’s simple to put together and makes for a nice Christmas decoration.
10. Bowtie Pasta Garland
The ingredients are cheap, but the results are festive. Decorate some bowtie pasta and string it up to make an inspired holiday decoration. It can go on the Christmas tree, or add some decoration to the walls or windows.
Crafts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for your residents that love an opportunity to create something, these can definitely brighten the holiday season!
If you have a local facility dropping off items for the residents to make one of the above crafts or decorations to put up can really help brighten their holiday season.
Easy Holiday Crafts by Kristen Hicks for SeniorAdvisor.com. https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2014/11/10-fun-holiday-crafts-for-seniors/