Christmas

Card Puzzles

We are all shut in, wondering what to do next, although it is a long time to Christmas in July, or Christmas in December! This is a competitive and mentally stimulating game for groups or individuals.

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Christmas or Any Holiday Wreaths

This was a huge hit and was so rewarding for these ladies to see the end result!

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Chocolate Holiday Trees

We like to have our residents work together, it's fun to talk and laugh and have a cup of tea or coffee, along with eating some chocolate kisses so get enough!

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Make Your Own Snow Globe Craft

Try this snow globe craft with residents in a group or try it as a family night activity or even an intergenerational project.

Festive Placemats

Using Christmas colouring templates  (or templates from another occasion), colour, collage, decorate as you wish. Laminate and Use to decorate trays, or tables during mealtimes.

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Draw St. Nicholas Dice Game

This is a fun intergenerational activity! The festive season often brings children into care homes and this is a great way to celebrate the season.

Special Messages on Paper Link Garlands

Construction paper linked garlands are traditional decorations in many countries and many of your residents will fondly remember making them. You can make linked garlands even more interesting in your community by making each link more meaningful.

How to Plan a Caroling Party

Hosting a Christmas Caroling party is a fun and festive way to celebrate Christmas. It should be a casual party where everyone enjoys themselves! For obvious reasons these carolers are not going to walk down the street and sing at every house. It’s an in-house party!

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Holiday Movie Characters Word Search

Find the movie characters in this holiday movies themed word finder!

8 Tips to Make the Most of Carolers

Does it seem like everyone starts calling to schedule a time for their organization to carol to your residents throughout November and December? Here are a few ideas to make the most of your carolers this season while keeping your own sanity during this very busy season.

Alice in Wonderland Christmas Pantomime

"Our residents had a fantastic time, rehearsing, organising costumes etc...They performed it for their families and friends while feeling nervous but they all did a great job. A fantastic day was had by all!"

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Christmas Jeopardy Questions

Christmas Jeopardy questions and categories. Fun twist: Instead of having trivia for Christmas music, play an instrumental version of the song and have the residents guess the name of it for points!

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Christmas Lights Tour

We took our Hospital and Lodge residents on a Christmas light tour. With lollies on board as an extra treat they thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and plans are in place to do it again next year.

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How to Plan a Festival Of Lights Family Night

Planning a Family Night event right in the middle of the holiday season can feel extra stressful. However, you can pull off a beautiful Festival of Lights celebration by using some of these ideas. Take and adapt what works best for you and your seniors, making your event tailor-made for your community.

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8 Ways To Spread Christmas Cheer in Nursing Homes

Make Christmas is as joyous an occasion as possible! We can act as a surrogate family for residents; comforting, encouraging and providing reasons for them to be happy.

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True or False Christmas Traditions

Test your knowledge of Christmas traditions from around the world!

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Christmas Songs - Sing the Next Line Quiz

Get into the Christmas spirit with this music quiz featuring over 20 well known Christmas carols, hymns and songs.

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Pick Your Topic

Have an empty jar or container to put your questions in for your residents to "pull out".

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Unscramble Words - Holiday Theme

Try and unscramble the following holiday themed words. First letter provided!

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The Story of Saint Nicholas

The story of a Christian Saint, whose life inspires compassion and charity.

Christmas Bingo

Christmas themed picture bingo! Calling cards start on page 17. 

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Christmas Pantomime: Snow White & the 3 and a half Dwarfs!

Snow White & the 3 and a half Dwarfs is a two-act pantomime to entertain your clients and guest this festive season! A perfect addition to a Christmas Party in assisted living facilities. Loads of fun for staff and residents!

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Snowball Garland

Make a snowball garland with embroidery thread and cotton balls.

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Christmas Poster #3

Another beautiful Merry Christmas poster!

Christmas Jokes & One-Liners for the Elderly

Be merry this Christmas with some silly one-liners and laugh-out-loud jokes!

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Christmas Carols Quiz

A fun Christmas carols themed quiz to enjoy!

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The Birth of Jesus (A Christmas Story)

Here is a short story about the birth of Jesus to share.

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Christmas Poems

Some lovely Christmas themed poems to share!

Christmas Rephrase It

This is a fun game that some may find very challenging, but others may find humorous!

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All Occasions Bag

This idea was given as a valentines bag, could be used for any occasion.

2 Comments Member Activity

Christmas Bulb Dice Game

A simple, Christmas Game for small groups.

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Recycled Beer Cap Christmas Snowmen

Make these gorgeous recycled snowmen to hang on the Christmas Tree!

Christmas in Australia Word Search

A Summer themed Christmas word search

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Winter Christmas Word Search

A Winter themed Christmas word search!

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Christmas Pantomime: The Jungle Book

"What a fantastic resource and well put together for the links to music and sounds!"

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Kindness Advent Calendar

Kindness Advent Calendar

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Photo Christmas Tree

These spectacular photo Christmas trees are so simple to make and will attract clients, visitors and staff and generate lots of social interaction. This is a wonderful activity for seniors in nursing homes.

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Pool Noodle Christmas Wreaths

These wreaths are stunning! They are so simple to make using pool noodles and Christmas balls. This is a wonderful and fun social activity for high functioning residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to enjoy.

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Canvas Creative Group Project

Group art projects are a engaging activity for seniors in nursing homes. Creative group projects should have a theme; each client draws a picture (theme example: Christmas), and the final work is displayed as a group work of art.

Christmas Pomanders

This is a lovely activity to get into the spirit of Christmas! It will bring wonderful scent to the whole facility in the weeks leading up to Christmas!

Snowflake Decorations

Gorgeous glitter snowflakes for Christmas! A lovely activity and decoration for nursing homes.

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Merry Christmas in Different Languages

You may have clients who will be able to teach others how to say Merry Christmas in their language.

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Christmas Poster #1

Beautiful Christmas poster for printing!

Christmas Poster #2

Beautiful Christmas poster for printing!

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Planning a Movie Night for the Elderly

If you don’t already run a regular ‘Movie Night’ at your facility, try it out! All you need is a large screen, some good speakers, and of course popcorn and ice cream to add to the cinematic experience!

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Gluten-free Peanut Cookies

Many years ago when I found myself with 3 celiac (coeliac) clients - all three with a ‘sweet tooth’ - I came across this recipe. Even those without special dietary requirements loved them.

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Gluhwein Gift (Mulled Wine)

Use empty jars from the kitchen or use Mason jars to fill with the spices and sugar needed to make Gluhwein. Tie a little tag around the jar with the recipe for making Gluhwein. A stylish gift!

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Christmas card hangers

Wire coat hanger covered with tinsel, attach pegs with ribbon.
An idea for those residents to hang their cards on.

4 Comments Member Activity

40 Gift Ideas for the Elderly

Here are some ideas for affordable gifts and Golden Carers homemade gifts.

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Photo Booth Funnies

We used existing photographs of residents, copying to all the same size.

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Christmas Stick Frames

A simple and stunning Christmas activity!

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Christmas Cork Reindeer

Have fun creating these lovely cork reindeer! Cork is considered biodegradable and renewable.

Christmas Word Search 2

Some more word search fun for Christmas!

Intergenerational: Colour By Numbers

Despite being associated with children, Colour By Numbers activities can be beneficial to adults as well. Not to mention lots of fun!

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Intergenerational: Spot the Differences

Spot the Differences is a brain game for children and adults alike. It involves identification of objects, spatial analysis as well as short-term memory.

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Trivia: Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Some interesting trivia about the history of mistletoe.

Christmas Trivia from around the World

A list of some of the more unusual Christmas traditions from around the world...

Christmas Pantomime - Aladdin & the Magic Lamp

"We have just presented Aladdin to our residents and family, what fun! I would recommend this as an excellent activity to facilitate interaction on another level between staff and residents, boost self-esteem and have a really great time."

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Gift Jar and Candle Holder

Celebrate Volunteers Day with a lunch or High Tea in their honor. You can make it extra especial if you give them an inexpensive gift; preferably made by the residents.

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Christmas Quiz

Here's a fun Christmas quiz for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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Christmas Kissing Ball

Decorate your facility or home with these beautiful evergreen balls.

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Christmas Word Search

Here is a Christmas themed Word Search.

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Aussie Themed Jingle Bells

Aussie Themed Jingle Bells

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Snow & Winter Quiz

A fun winter themed quiz!

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Christmas Pantomime: Sleeping Beauty

"My Goodness. It was hilarious! Thank You so much for this one! Our fairies were all big burly men dressed in tutus and tiaras and I got to be sleeping beauty."

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Stained glass windows

Lovely stained glass windows for any season.

4 Comments Member Activity

Left & Right Game

A fun game that will generate much laughter! Seat participants in a circle with a ball, read the story and when you say the words 'right' or 'left' they should pass the ball in that direction.

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Felt Christmas Poinsettia

Create these beautiful poinsettias for hanging or to use as table decorations at Christmas. Video instructions included!

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Christmas Tips for Recreation Therapists & Activity Professionals

The key to reducing stress at Christmas time is to get organised and plan ahead!

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Paper Christmas Tree Centerpieces

These cute Christmas tree decorations are suitable for table tops, windowsills or desks. You can also sit them on top of tv's and radio's. Video instructions included!

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Recycled Paper Christmas Trees

Another lovely Christmas activity using recycled materials. Create these beautiful centerpieces with minimal effort! Video instructions included.

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Edible Christmas Trees

This activity offers lots of fun and plenty of opportunities to reminisce. Find out what participants used to cook for Christmas.

Christmas Board Game

Suitable for 2 people, this simple game can alert the mind and entertain.

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Christmas Crossword Puzzle

Get into the spirit of Christmas with this crossword puzzle.

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Fun Riddle - Christmas

The next installment in the riddle series!

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Santa's Visit

I bought an inflatable Santa costume off eBay for $31 and I can tell you it went down a treat.

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Christmas Colouring-in

Christmas and nativity themed colouring-in templates to decorate your facility!

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DIY Christmas Shirts

Make your own unique Christmas polo shirts!

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Aussie 12 days of Christmas

Make you own Australian themed 12 Days of Christmas song to enjoy.
Thanks Joanne!

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Christmas Carol Trivia

This fun quiz is all about well known Christmas Carols.
Thanks Kerry!

3 Comments Member Activity

Paper Petals Christmas Ornament

Another lovely Christmas ornament you can hand-make!

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Recycled Book Pages Christmas Wreath

These recycled book Christmas Wreaths are stunning and easy to make!

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Christmas Trivia

Here is some interesting trivia about Christmas traditions.

Fabric Christmas Ornament

These Christmas ornaments are striking and fun to make!

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Paper Christmas Ornament

Beautiful, easy to make Christmas ornaments!

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Holly Leaves Christmas Wreaths

Another lovely option for creating beautiful Christmas Wreaths.

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The Twelve days of Christmas

Get everyone into the spirit of Christmas with this fun activity.
Thanks Joanne, this is a great idea!

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Evergreen Hanging Christmas Trees

Any of the Arborvitae evergreens can be used; I find the Thuja occidentalis particularly good because the leaves as flat by nature, making it easier to glue the layers.

Popsicle Christmas Stars

Maintenance of dexterity. Promote sense of accomplishment.

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Christmas decorations with Salt Dough

This is folk art and maybe some of your residents will remember playing with it as a child. Video included!

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Xmas chains

Use Christmas cards to create lovely Christmas chain decorations!

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Standing Fabric Christmas Angels

These cute fabric angels are easy to make and very attractive to use on the table or mantel piece, windowsill, shelves or to hang from ceiling.

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Pasta Christmas Wreaths

These beautiful wreaths can also be made with corks, large buttons, shells, and unshelled nuts.

Recycled Christmas Ornaments

Use old cards to make ornaments for your Christmas tree or string them along to make a garland for walls or windows.

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Lovely Christmas Doves

Make a few of these lovely doves and place them on your Christmas table as a container for chocolate, cookies and marshmallows.

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Recycled Advent Calendar

There are dozens of ways to make Advent calendars from recycled material. This is just one of them.

Christmas Quiz IV

What is Santa Klaus called in some European countries?

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Recycled Magazine Christmas Trees

Do your bit to save the planet with this gorgeous recycled Christmas Tree craft activity!

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Recycled Newspaper Christmas Wreath

Use your old newspapers to make this beautiful Christmas wreath.Video instructions included!

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Christmas Pantomime - Pinocchio

"Lots of fun to do and residents, family members, and staff are still laughing about it."

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Cinderella Christmas Pantomime

"Everyone had so much fun and all the residents and staff laughed until they couldn't laugh anymore. The next day residents were asking staff what pantomime were they going to do next year!"

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Christmas Quiz III

Yet another Christmas Quiz!

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Christmas Baskets with recycled Doilies

Recycle old doilies into these cute baskets for your Christmas table. They can be used to hold rum balls, chocolate, homemade Christmas biscuits and anything else you can think of.

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Wooden Branch Christmas Trees

This is a very useful tree to have! It can be used all year around, just change the ornaments on Easter, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Chocolate day, Wish Tree Day.

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Recycled Jigsaw Puzzle Christmas Trees

This is a cute craft activity using discarded jigsaw puzzle pieces to create hanging decorations for your factility at Christmas.

Recycled Christmas Card Tree Ornaments

Lovely Christmas tree ornaments made from recycled Christmas cards

Christmas Angel (Standing)

Here is a lovely christmas craft activity - create beautiful standing Christmas angels!

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Stained Glass Window Christmas Decorations

Here is an activity that will help you with your resolve to become more ‘green’. It is fun to make and requires little skill and yet looks rather striking hanged in walls, doors, windows and shelves.

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Christmas templates for colouring-in

Colouring-in, whether with crayons, coloured pencils or paint is therapy as well as a great way to pass the time absorbed in something creative. It may help to maintain what remains of dexterity and fine motor control.

Christmas Quiz II

Here's another quiz to test your christmas knowledge!