Holiday Activities for Seniors to Enjoy With Family

With festive music, glittering decorations and treats galore, there is so much to do and see during the holiday season. These special moments help brighten the lives of those young and old, providing many ways to stay connected with loved ones near and far.  

Celebrate the season with these holiday activities for seniors, which range from yuletide crafts to merry gift exchanges. Whatever you and your loved one choose to do together, we’re sure that these activities will bring joy to all.  

The Best Ways to Find and Spread Joy  

Immerse yourself in the wonder of the holiday season with exciting activities that encourage togetherness, allowing seniors and their loved ones to both embrace old traditions and create new memories.  

Make Ornaments for the Tree One way to embrace the holidays for the elderly is to create something new that can bring cheer to the home. Whether your loved one has a full-size Christmas tree or a tabletop iteration, designing something in your own style is a great way to introduce some holiday spirit.  

Bake Tasty Treats Connecting with family in the kitchen is always one of the most popular holiday activities for seniors. Instead of putting together a feast from scratch, opt to do your baking together. Craft sugar cookies shaped like trees, reindeer, bells or even Santa Claus, then use vibrant frosting and colorful sprinkles to finish your masterpieces—together. For seniors in need of less sugar during the holiday season, these 10 tips for making cookies healthier are also helpful!  

Host a Themed Movie Night With a vast number of Christmas movies being released every year, hosting a movie night with friends or family can be a great way to bond during the holidays. Heat up some popcorn, cuddle up with some cocoa and indulge in films the whole family can enjoy, such as The Santa Clause, It’s a Wonderful Life or Elf. 

Decorate and Fill Stockings Those looking for activities to do with elderly parents need look no further this holiday season. Get ready for Christmas Day by decorating your own stockings to hang by the mantle with care. After you’ve completed your festive designs, work together to fill the stockings with items like candy, beauty or hygiene products, fuzzy socks and more.  

Listen to Holiday Music A popular pastime that can be combined with nearly any other activity is listening to holiday tunes with those you hold dear. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, have some festive songs playing in the background. Talk about the songs and artists you like the most then compile them into a playlist to enjoy all season long.  

Take a Drive to View Festive Lights Another one of the best holiday activities for seniors is light viewing. While many wander up and down suburban sidewalks seeking the most decorated houses, this activity can easily be done from the comfort of your own car, with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa in hand. After you’ve had your fill of lights, talk about which houses were your favorites.  

Exchange Gifts With Loved Ones Giving presents to those you love is one of the most thrilling activities during the holiday season. Families can get together to share their gifts with one another or, if you’re in search of gifts for elderly parents who have everything, host a white elephant party with silly gifts to laugh over for years to come.  

New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors 

Setting goals and intentions for the new year is a wonderful way for seniors to look at the future optimistically. Many older people feel their best years are behind them, and struggle to see the future as an opportunity. 

Talk to the seniors in your life about what they are looking forward to in the new year. Is there an activity or hobby they’ve always wanted to try? Is there a health or fitness goal they can work towards? 

Setting both practical and fun goals not only helps older people break out of their routines, but it can also help families have deeper conversations about the future. 

A Lasting Impact  

There are several reasons to make plans with your senior loved ones this holiday season. Many people who receive companion care in their home don’t see their loved ones as much as they’d like to. Family get-togethers are especially important during the holidays as they help to combat loneliness and encourage social interaction. Holiday activities for seniors don’t have to be elaborate or expensive, the joy is in being together and having fun. 

Participating in Festive Activities Can: 

• Boost mood and emotional well-being 

• Offer social connection 

• Create positive memories 

• Give a sense of purpose 

• Provide gentle movement and cognitive stimulation 

Home Care for Families During Holidays and Special Occasions​ 

 Holidays and special occasions can be stressful enough without adding caregiver responsibilities to the mix. There’s no shame in needing some help during these times! A professional home care worker can take on caregiving duties, including: 

• Providing transportation 

• Meal planning and preparation 

• Medication management 

• Household chores 

• Help navigating general and holiday safety for seniors 

• Senior holiday travel planning and companionship 

Home for the Holidays  

If you need help setting up holiday activities for seniors that will keep everyone entertained and safe, enlist the help of FirstLight Home Care. Our professional in-home caregivers are eager to help and can make staying home for the holidays a truly wonderful experience. Contact us to inquire about a personalized quote for in-home senior care or call (866) 985-4031 to speak with your local FirstLight Home Care team today!