Maybe you’re visiting your parents during the holidays. Maybe you’re a caregiver who wants to bring the holiday spirit into your senior’s home. Whatever the reason, the cold weather, Christmas and New Year’s bring a wealth of ideas with them for how to create and entertain.

Reading
The poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” was written in the 1800’s, so chances are that everyone has heard the verses at least once in their life. Don’t be afraid to turn the lights low and grab a blanket and just enjoy reading out loud. And there are always religious texts and passages to read that are specific to this season.

Hot Cocoa Tasting
The next time you’re at the store, grab a few different types hot cocoa. Don’t worry, you’ll use it up before the weather warms up. Brew up a few cups and each and split it between the group. See if people can tell the difference (you can always throw in some Quik or other distinct flavored cocoa). And you never know which flavors may bring back a memory to talk about!

Music
While you may well be tired of Christmas music by this point, the senior (who hasn’t been out and about much) may not. So find some tunes they’ll recognize and you’re not totally exhausted of and put them on. Perhaps you can listen while decorating the house – or even stringing popcorn! The intricate stringing may prove too difficult for an elderly person, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy the site, smells and tastes of you doing it.

Cooking
Speaking of making popcorn … do you know what your senior’s favorite meal is? It may not be easy, it may be unhealthy, but during the holidays, with businesses closed and unhealthy food everywhere already, now might be the perfect time to cook that dish.

What are your favorite holiday activities? Do you have to modify them to adapt to your senior’s lifestyle, or do they fit perfectly? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!