Festive In-Home Activities: BrightStar Care of Hackensack's Guide to Celebrating Christmas with Seniors
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Festive In-Home Activities: BrightStar Care of Hackensack's Guide to Celebrating Christmas with Seniors

December 13, 2024
Holiday seasons are about warmth, joy, and togetherness, and there's no better way to make it memorable than celebrating Christmas at home with your senior loved ones. 

From helping create cheerful decorations to assisting with planning and participating in heartwarming activities, our dedicated team makes it easy to bring the magic of the holidays to seniors. This set of tips is focused on Christmas: Ho Ho Ho! 

For 15 years, our award-winning care team at BrightStar Care of Hackensack has worked from Montvale to Moonachie, from Palisades Park to Paramus, and all great shopping spots in between to support where help may be helpful every step of the way, ensuring that the season is as stress-free and joyful as possible. Our caregivers, aides, and nurses can help you craft a festive, safe, and joyful Christmas experience. 

Keep It Simple

Start by transforming your home into a cozy holiday haven. String up some twinkling lights, display a cherished ornament or two (does not require a full tree!), and play classic holiday tunes to set the mood. Keep decorations simple, avoiding clutter around walkways to ensure seniors can move safely and comfortably. This is a beautiful way to begin your Christmas day activities for seniors with seasonal cheer

Spend Time Together

Togetherness is at the heart of the holidays. Enjoy decorating cookies together! Share the traditions of your parents with your children. Making simple crafts or sharing their favorite holiday stories with family is always appreciated and doesn’t have to be expensive. These Christmas activities for seniors are a great way to encourage creativity and connection. A marathon featuring classic holiday films or a small, festive puzzle session makes perfect downtime fun. 

Create opportunities to adapt beloved customs into activities everyone can enjoy, including sensory activities designed for seniors with dementia. These can help engage their senses and create comforting, joyful moments. For example, decorating cookies or arranging aromatic holiday spices like cinnamon and cloves can evoke happy memories through smell and touch. If a large Christmas party for senior citizens isn’t possible, consider hosting a smaller gathering at home or even a virtual get-together to include everyone. Singing carols, sharing a favorite meal, exchanging heartfelt gifts, or crafting simple ornaments are all ways to keep traditions alive in a manageable and inclusive way. 

4 Christmas Party Activities for Seniors

Hosting a Christmas party for senior citizens can be enjoyable and heartwarming when activities are tailored to their preferences and abilities. A mix of festive games, creative projects, and interactive experiences ensures everyone feels included and engaged. 

Here are some ideas for activities that will make the celebration truly special: 


1. Holiday-Themed Bingo! 

Use cards featuring Christmas images or holiday phrases, and offer small holiday-themed prizes like ornaments or cookies. It’s a fun way to unite everyone while sparking a friendly competition. 

2. Tree-Decorating Contest (Not a Big Tree, but a Paper Cutout)

Host a mini tree-decorating contest to bring out your guests' creativity. Provide small trees or tree-shaped crafts and decorations like ribbons, ornaments, and glitter. Seniors can work individually or in teams to showcase their creations at the end of the event and vote on the most festive tree. 

3. Storytelling

Invite seniors to share their favorite holiday memories, traditions, or funny anecdotes from Christmases. This activity fosters connection and nostalgia, allowing everyone to reminisce and bond over shared experiences. A cozy setup with warm lighting and festive snacks makes it even more inviting. 

4. New Memories

Set up a photo booth with holiday-themed props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or festive scarves. Seniors can take fun, memorable pictures with family and friends to capture the day's joy. 

Incorporating these Christmas party activities for seniors ensures a festive celebration with laughter, creativity, and meaningful connections. By tailoring the activities to suit their abilities and interests, you’ll create a memorable party for everyone involved. 

How BrightStar Care of Hackensack Can Help 

BrightStar Care of Hackensack understands that the holiday season can be a busy and overwhelming time for families. Lots of things compete for our attention. Let us assist you in your day. Our in-home care services (or care wherever home for your loved one may be) are designed to provide peace of mind while ensuring your loved ones enjoy the festivities safely and comfortably. 

We can: 
Take your loved one to one of the many malls in Bergen County when the crowds are less crazy! That includes getting someone up and ready to go, assisting them while out, and getting 
them back home and inside safely. Those support items are called daily activities, and we major in them and more! 

Our team can help organize activities, prepare party-friendly snacks, and ensure the home is safe and inviting for guests. Whether a small gathering or an intimate family dinner, we’ll help create a joyful and stress-free atmosphere. 

We can fill in where you cannot be! The holidays can sometimes feel isolating for seniors, especially if loved ones are far away. Our caregivers provide warm, engaging companionship, whether sharing holiday memories, singing carols, or enjoying a festive movie. Having someone to share the season with makes all the difference in creating a joyful experience. 

Transportation and Errands with Our Services 

NJ Routes 17 and 4 are not the easiest to navigate on a good day! If seniors need to attend community December events for seniors, visit loved ones, or shop for holiday gifts, our caregivers can provide transportation and assistance. We know the backroads, too. We ensure safe travel and help seniors stay connected with their community during the season.

Personalized Care and Safety 

Our expert team prioritizes your loved one’s safety and well-being. From fall prevention during decorating to monitoring health needs during celebrations, we ensure that every activity is tailored to their comfort and abilities. This attention to detail allows families to relax and enjoy the holidays without worrying about their loved one’s care. 

BrightStar Care of Hackensack is committed to making the holiday season a time of joy, connection, and cherished memories for seniors and their families. Let us handle the details so you can focus on what matters most: celebrating together. 

Contact BrightStar Care of Greater Hackensack Today! 

Looking into caregiving services may be overwhelming, but with BrightStar Care of Hackensack, we make the process much easier for you. We are confident that our team of professionals will assist you in looking for the right caregiver to care for your loved one by keeping you in the loop and more. Contact us today to learn more about our in-home care services. Our office is at Kinderkamack Road, Suite 101, Emerson, NJ 07630. Reach out to us at (201) 483-8490.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!