This is the time of year when many activities organisers are getting into top gear to plan an action packed Christmas period.  As you prepare to get out the tinsel and the Santa hats, we thought we might offer you some helpful ideas to get you thinking about this year’s winter festivities.

• Many people find Christmas a hard time and a painful reminder of those who are no longer with them.  There is nothing worse than feeling under pressure to put on a jolly face, when inside you are feeling the  opposite. Care workers in homes need to tune into the non verbal signs that someone just isn’t in the mood for the party spirit, and to respect this.
• Large parties with lots of noise, platefuls of food and lots of silliness can be some people’s idea of heaven, and other’s worst nightmare!  For many frail residents, smaller gatherings for shorter periods of time can work a lot better. 

With these thoughts in mind, think about the following:

1. If you are hiring an entertainer, consider one who has the skill to move round the home a bit and give impromptu and shorter moments of music and fun for individuals, rather than just a long performance in the main lounge.
2. Avoid packing too many parties and events into just the Christmas period.  Think about doing something a bit alternative, like having a Twelfth Night party for example in January, when everyone can be feeling a little flat and need a boost.
3. Think about including celebrations related to other cultures and countries – Thanksgiving, Hanukkah (starting 12th December), Eid (starting 27th November).  If you have staff from those cultures and religions, invite them to share some aspect of those celebrations or rituals with residents.

Some specific activity ideas

Preparing and making a Christmas pudding or cake - you can either do this as a real cooking activity involving residents, OR you can create an imaginary cake.  The facilitator will need to be skilled enough to create an atmosphere of ‘Imagine this…’ with a pretend mixing bowl in the middle of the group.  Ask group members to put in an ingredient of their choice and don’t be surprised or put off by any crazy suggestions offered! 

Encourage everyone to have an imaginary stir.  Discuss what coins would normally be put in a cake, and any memories of those who had bitten into one in their childhood!  Ask each person to make a wish for the year ahead to put into the cake mix.  This can sometimes be quite a poignant opportunity to reflect on the end of the year and what lies ahead.

Imagine a favourite meal - pass round an empty plate to individuals in a small group and invite them to tell you what they would like to see on that plate, or you could ask them what would be their worst meal!  
Have a Lucky winter dip for reminiscence - Fill a bucket (or a wheelbarrow as done in one home!), full of the white polystyrene foam balls used for packaging as your pretend snow.  Put in items in the bucket or barrow relating to the theme of winter and keeping warm… a hot water bottle, longjohns, scarf and hat, packet of hot chocolate, picture of a Red Robin, a Christmas bauble, a pretend snowflake etc.  Each person puts their hand in and takes an item out of the bucket and memories are then shared relating to the items.   If you are feeling very creative, you could write down what people are saying and write a poem or a story.

Help an individual resident to send their own cards or messages to friends and family.   Being able to still give in this way, is something very special and harder to achieve with arthritic fingers and/or less freedom to go out and choose cards, buy stamps etc.   You could help some residents to make their own cards using photographs or artwork.   For those who have access to email, the website www.jacquielawson.com produces the most beautiful animated and musical cards which can be sent to as many people as you want for a very modest subscription.  Looking at and choosing these can give lots of pleasure especially for animal and nature lovers!

USE the internet to give you some ideas  for discussions, quizzes, recipes, songs etc.   For example, you can make a simple edible Cornflake Wreath by checking out the recipe at www.cooks.com or www.allrecipes.com.

Have a discussion about the origins of the Christmas tree, as well as involving residents in putting up and decorating the tree. For those who are less able, just holding a piece of tinsel or a bauble in their hand might give pleasure.  For more information about the reasons we have a tree, go to www.christmasarchives.com.
Think about fun questions which might prompt people’s memories of songs or facts, e.g. ‘what were the names of Santa’s reindeers?’  ‘According to the song, what happened on the fifth day of Christmas?’ (Use the internet again to find the answers to these!)   

Many homes invite children to come in and sing carols at Christmas. Consider a residents’ carol singing group who could even make a short tour of either other residents’ rooms or the local neighbourhood, if you are brave enough!

Make contacts with local choirs or amateur dramatics group and ask if they would be willing to come in and give a free performance as part of their rehearsals!

Make links with local shops or department stores who might consider an extended opening or special provision for those using wheelchairs to go and do some Christmas shopping,  (for example by allocating an area in the café for refreshments).

Consider supporting a local charity which does something for those who are disadvantaged at this time of year, whether it is homeless people or unwanted pets.  Think about simple fundraising ideas and inviting someone from that charity to give a talk. 

Sally Knocker
NAPA Director of Communications

NAPA, the National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People produces regular Seasonal Inspirations Bulletins for their members packed with practical ideas like these.  For more information about how to join, please do get in touch at www.napa-activities.co.uk or phone 020 7078 9375
We would also be very pleased to hear about how you have survived and even enjoyed the winter months, as we like to share the good news to help look forward to a healthy and active 2010. 

Picture credit: Warwick de Winter © NAPA