8 Holiday Activities to Inspire Your Senior Living December Calendar

As December approaches, it’s the perfect time to plan activities that bring your senior living residents joy, creativity, and community spirit. These eight festive ideas are designed to inspire your activity calendar and offer fun, accessible ways for residents to connect, create, and celebrate together.

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1. Holiday Craft Workshop: DIY Ornaments

Nothing brings a personal touch to holiday decorations quite like homemade ornaments. Set up a simple workshop where residents can craft their own festive decorations to hang on their trees or display around their rooms. Provide materials like pre-cut felt shapes, ribbons, beads, and glue, allowing for a range of creative options. Residents can decorate with their initials, festive designs, or glitter for added sparkle. This activity encourages residents to tap into their artistic side while giving them something tangible to take home or gift to loved ones. Play soft holiday music in the background to set the festive mood.

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2. Holiday Movie Marathon & Discussion

Create a cozy, theater-like atmosphere for a holiday movie marathon. Line up heartwarming holiday classics such as *It’s a Wonderful Life*, *White Christmas*, or *Miracle on 34th Street*, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Set up comfortable seating with blankets, pillows, and dimmed lights to enhance the experience. Prepare movie-themed snacks like popcorn, gingerbread cookies, and hot chocolate with marshmallows. After each movie, facilitate a discussion, encouraging residents to share their thoughts, favorite moments, or memories these films may evoke. For added excitement, print “movie tickets” for residents as a fun keepsake.

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3. Gingerbread House Decorating Competition

A gingerbread house competition can quickly become a highlight of the holiday season. Provide gingerbread kits, icing, and a variety of candies like gumdrops, peppermints, and licorice, and let the residents’ imaginations run wild. Whether it’s a classic cottage or a winter castle, each gingerbread creation will reflect the resident’s unique style. This friendly competition not only sparks creativity but also encourages lighthearted interaction and teamwork. Create categories such as "Most Creative Roof" or "Best Winter Scene" and offer small prizes for winners. Afterward, display the houses in a common area for everyone to admire.

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4. Winter Storytelling Circle

Gathering around to share stories is a wonderful way to evoke the warmth of the season. Create a cozy circle with comfortable chairs, blankets, and soft lighting, and invite residents to tell their favorite holiday memories, traditions, or childhood stories. For those who prefer to listen, have a staff member read classic holiday tales such as *A Christmas Carol* or *The Night Before Christmas*. Offer warm beverages like spiced apple cider or herbal teas to enhance the sense of comfort. This activity not only fosters connection but also gives residents an opportunity to reminisce and share pieces of their personal history with the group.

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5. Holiday Sensory Experience

Create a multi-sensory holiday experience tailored for residents with mobility issues. Set up a festive atmosphere with soft holiday music, twinkling lights, and fragrant scents like pine or cinnamon. Provide tactile experiences like soft fabrics, textured decorations, or sensory bins filled with holiday-themed items like pine cones, ornaments, or glitter. Encourage residents to explore the sensory stations at their own pace. This activity can stimulate the senses, promote relaxation, and evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia, even for residents with limited mobility.

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6. Holiday Card-Making for Loved Ones and the Community

Spreading holiday cheer through hand-crafted cards can brighten both the giver and the receiver’s spirits. Set up a card-making station with cardstock, stickers, stamps, markers, and festive embellishments. Residents can create personalized cards for family, friends, staff members, or even local community centers. Encourage thoughtful messages and holiday wishes, and help residents with writing if necessary. Collect the cards, and deliver them to those who may need a little extra cheer this season. This activity fosters creativity, encourages gratitude, and strengthens the bond between residents and the wider community.

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7. Winter Wonderland Indoor Stroll

Transform a common area into a magical winter wonderland with festive decorations such as twinkling lights, faux snow, holiday garlands, and snowmen cutouts. Organize an indoor walking tour where residents can “stroll” through this enchanting environment, enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. Along the route, set up themed stations, such as a mini Christmas tree farm or Santa’s workshop, with short stories or fun facts about holiday traditions. This low-impact activity promotes physical movement while delighting residents with the festive scenery. Residents can even participate in decorating the space beforehand, enhancing their sense of ownership.

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8. December Birthdays & Festivities Celebration

For residents with December birthdays, combining holiday cheer with a birthday party can make the celebration even more special. Host a party where the decorations blend holiday motifs with birthday themes—think snowflakes, winter candles, and birthday cake all in one place. Sing both holiday carols and birthday songs and present the birthday residents with gifts that celebrate both occasions. Include festive party favors such as holiday crackers or personalized ornaments. This event provides an extra layer of joy for December-born residents and strengthens the sense of community as everyone joins in the festivities.

Want more innovative activity ideas for your community? Explore Welbi's Program Idea Portal! Our carefully curated selection of activities is designed to inspire and support your efforts in delivering exceptional resident experiences. Head over now to discover something new!

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