50 Ways to Bring Seniors Comfort and Joy this Season

Posted on

Nov 24, 2021

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This holiday season promises to look different than any before it for many families. But it can be refreshing and fun to shake up the routine by incorporating new ideas, especially when some of the go-to activities may not be possible this holiday season.
While it is important to keep safety in mind during the holidays, there are a number of ways to bring connection, purpose and hope to seniors even when we cant see them in-person.
These fun ideas for families focus on activities to do with seniors, including grandparents, older parents, and elderly neighbors. Some are free or affordable, others may require some planning ahead, but all ideas can be done together or apart to bring joy and make new memories. Some of these can be done in person, for those in the same household, or activities can be facilitated by a caregiver to ensure both fun and safety. Others are intended to bring joy to those that cant spend time together in person. While this year may not allow some of our usual seasonal traditions, there are still ways to find joy in the holiday season together.


Bake cookies or a favorite holiday treat
Make an ornament or cute holiday decoration as a gift
Help a senior shop for holiday gifts online
Wrap gifts on behalf of a senior and deliver them to loved ones
Have a drive-through holiday parade outside of a seniors home
Gather everyone in your household and go caroling for seniors
Put together a gift basket of hot chocolate, baked goods or favorite holiday snacks
String lights outside of a seniors home
Make a wreath for a seniors door
Print photos of holiday memories and share them
Send cards, letters or notes of encouragement
Run a holiday errand for someone that is isolating at home
Snap a few photos of your friends, family, and pets to send by text or email
Plan a surprise meal for a senior, either by cooking for the senior in your household or arranging meal delivery if you cant be in-person
Draw a picture and send it in the mail
Lend a senior a favorite book or movie and explain why you love it
Take a senior in your own household for a sunset car ride
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by sending a senior gifts and treats.
Color a page from a coloring book and give it as a gift
Surprise a senior by playing or singing their favorite song over the phone or on a video call
Paint a picture and give it to a senior
Make and send a handmade card
Post sticky notes with uplifting messages around the house
Make origamis and present them as gifts
Tell a senior what you admire about them
Create a book of holiday memories for someone special
Thank someone that you appreciate
Listen to a senior reminisce about the good old days
Surprise a senior by dancing to a favorite song on video or dance with a senior in your household!
Write a poem and give it as a gift
Bring coffee from their favorite coffee shop
Frame a seniors favorite quote give it to them
Decorate for the holidays, either outside of their home or inside if youre in the same household
Read a favorite holiday book together over the phone
Send a senior a poinsettia or other seasonal plant for their garden
Gift an indoor garden to someone that cant be outside due to weather
Order supplies from an online crafts store for your loved ones favorite hobby or something fun and new
Have your senior narrate parts of their life for you. Write down the memories and create a booklet with photos for you all to cherish.
Have a fashion show showcasing silly holiday looks over video or with a senior in your household and dress up in themes from your loved ones favorite era
Watch a favorite classic movie with a senior in your household
Ask your senior loved one to gather items to donate, and take them to a charity drive for them
Have family phone or video calls
Record a voice journal and share it
Create a family holiday recipe book
Play Bingo online
Create a collage and gift it to a senior loved one
Play charades in-person with those in your household or over video chat
Find a senior pen pal and send letters and notes on a regular basis
Share a favorite podcast or audio book
Make a family tree and gift it to a senior

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