Most seniors love the holidays. They cherish spending time with friends and family, giving gifts, enjoying special meals, and observing holiday traditions. Some seniors can initiate and carry through with events during this special time of year; other seniors need assistance with preparations and attendance in holiday festivities.
Regardless of their capabilities, seniors enjoy special times, and they greatly appreciate being kept in mind during the holiday season. Here are five things you can do to have the holidays feel special for your senior.
1. Spend Time With Them
Many seniors believe the greatest gift you can give them is your time. The holidays can be an especially lonely time for them as they think about loved ones that are no longer there, or watch movies featuring families enjoying the holidays together.
If you are in close proximity to the senior in your life, spend time at their residence and bring them over to yours, if possible. It’s a sure way to pick up their spirits and help them fight the loneliness they may be feeling.
If you can’t be with them physically, give them a call. Seniors love getting calls from friends and loved ones, and they often enjoy it as much as if you were physically present with them. Just the fact that you’re thinking about them makes them feel special.
2. Send Them a Holiday Card
Seniors grew up sending and receiving cards for the holidays. They love picking out the cards they’re going to send, putting a note inside them to the recipient, and even licking the stamps when they’re done addressing the envelope.
Even more than sending cards, most seniors love getting them. During the year, most of the mail they receive is advertisements and solicitations. They’re thrilled when they see a greeting card in their mail, and they are very appreciative. It’s an inexpensive way to give them joy during the holidays.
3. Help Them Decorate
One of the joys of the holiday season is decorations that foster a festive atmosphere. Whether it be a fall wreath at Thanksgiving, multi-colored lights in December, a Christmas tree put up, or a Menorah set out, seniors enjoy special decorations they only get to see once a year.
Most everyone enjoys a Christmas tree. Putting the bulbs on the tree is something that many seniors want to participate in, and many of the ornaments have been in their family for years and are associated with treasured memories. If they’re not physically able to help you decorate, they’ll still enjoy the decorations during the holidays.
4. Take Them Shopping
If they have the budget available, seniors love to give gifts to those close to them. It’s their way of showing appreciation for all that’s been done for them throughout the year, and they take pride in picking out something they think will be appropriate and appreciated.
If they’re not physically able to get to the stores and shop, getting online with them and browsing websites with gifts they can select from is still fun for them. Many online merchants will gift wrap the items to be shipped and include a card from the gift giver.
5. Bake With Them
Just about all seniors enjoy eating, and many enjoy baking. They love preparing the ingredients, and they love the aroma of freshly baked cookies and pies that are fresh out of the oven.
Whether they’re going to be taking their baked goods over to someone’s home for a holiday celebration or having guests over to their residence, setting out the goodies they’ve baked makes them happy that they’ve contributed to the festivities and prepared something that everyone can enjoy.
These are some things you can do as you’re keeping your senior in mind for the holidays. They’ll sincerely appreciate what you’ve done for them, and you’ll be creating special memories as you spend time together.
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