At this time of year, it’s easy to get swept up in consumerism and forget the meaning of the holiday season. While giving and receiving presents is part of the festivities, sharing quality time with friends and family should be at the top of your Christmas list.
Bringing the family together is not always the easiest task. With Christmas parties, relatives living at opposite ends of the country, and busy work schedules, reconnecting can be a challenge. However, it’s worth it when you put in the effort to see the smile on children’s and elderly relatives’ faces.
Starting meaningful Christmas traditions is one way to include all family members in the celebrations. Incorporating these traditions as part of in-home care for seniors ensures that no one is left out.
Why Christmas Traditions Matter for Older Adults
The holiday season is a happy time for most. However, for lonely elderly adults, the prospect of spending Christmas alone can fill them with feelings of dread. That’s why upholding Christmas traditions can give older adults something to look forward to.
Social engagement, such as talking to family members, and physical movement, like going for winter walks, offer older adults numerous benefits. There’s also the cognitive boost the elderly benefit from when recalling memories and telling stories of Christmases gone by.
In addition to these benefits, older adults experience the feeling of belonging when they are included in festive family events and activities. No one can put a price on that.
Start These Meaningful Christmas Traditions This Year
To inspire you this Christmastime, here are a few ideas for traditions you can start with your whole family this year. Young or old, anyone can give these activities a go.
Crafty Card Making
Whether you are a family of artists or can barely draw a stick figure, getting crafty is a fun way to spend a few hours together. The best-case scenario is that you end up with handmade cards or aesthetic gifts to give to friends and loved ones in the festive season. The worst-case scenario is that you craft some hilariously hideous creations and have a good, old laugh about it.
There’s also something satisfying about getting all your craft supplies out, messing about with glitter and sequins, colored card, and pens. The tactile appeal of crafting allows you all to stay in the present and enjoy this sensory activity together.
Deck The Halls
Another creative activity that’s fun for the whole family is decorating the home. This is especially important for older relatives who live alone, as helping them decorate their home can lift their spirits and get them into a Christmassy mood.
Instead of each household decorating its own place, make a party out of it. You can all get together and have a decorating party, taking turns to host, with festive foods and tipple to fuel your evening.
Winter Walks
Now this one is a lovely tradition, provided that you consider all abilities when organizing the winter walks. If you are unsure of how far an older or less physically able relative can walk, plan an easy and accessible route. If they take this walk in their stride, you can extend the walk next time.
Choosing a spot with a nearby cafe and public restrooms is also a good idea, as individuals can stop to catch their breath if needed. You can all meet up at the end of the walk at a local eatery or coffee shop to refuel, warm up, and rest your legs.
Christmas Karaoke
Perhaps your family is blessed with angelic voices, or they just put in a reasonable effort. Either way, a Christmas-themed karaoke evening is a fun way to spend some quality time with your family. The beauty behind choosing only Christmas songs is that most generations will know the classics. Rather than leave grandma bored to tears with a rendition of an avant-garde pop hit.
Resource: YouTube
Holiday Movie Marathon
For some quiet time, you can all get cozy in front of the TV and watch your favorite Christmas movies together. Settle down with some more-ish snacks and enjoy a relaxing movie marathon. It’s the perfect antidote to busy, action-packed days during the holiday season.
Volunteer Together
For a meaningful tradition that will help you count your blessings and connect with those less fortunate than you, consider volunteering as a family. Soup kitchens and homeless shelters often require extra hands on deck at this time of year, and if you are all physically able to help, this is a heartwarming tradition to start.
Not everyone can stand for long periods of time serving Christmas dinners to those in need, but that doesn’t mean that giving back to the community is out of the question. Sedentary activities, such as knitting blankets or compiling gift-filled shoeboxes for children, are thoughtful ways to spend time together.
Board Games Night
An old-fashioned idea, but a classic – host a family board game night. Board games transcend the ages, so importantly, no one will feel left out. Not only is it an excuse to get together, but participating in a strategic board game can offer social and cognitive stimulation for older adults.
While Christmas is a great time to start new traditions, there is no reason why some of these can’t be carried out more frequently than once a year. Older adults who live alone will benefit in many ways from regular family gatherings. Craft sessions, weekend walks, or even a family film club with a critique afterwards, whatever the activity, it’s important to make time for one another.
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