Christmas is right around the corner. If you’re a retirement home resident, you must have already gotten into the holiday spirit. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in your retirement home, whether with family and friends nearby or with those who live in other parts of the country. Here are some exciting crafts you can try this Christmas:
DIY Advent Calendar
There are many ways to make an advent calendar. You can use a cardboard box or a wooden box that you’ve painted yourself. If you want to be fancy, you can buy paint and glitter and decorate the box yourself.
You could use one of those calendars with 24 windows opening up—or paper calendars with little pockets for each day in December. Either way, fill them with small gifts or treats that will bring smiles to your fellow residents’ faces!
Holiday Cards
One of the most popular Christmas crafts is a holiday greeting card. Many retirement homes have a craft room where residents can go to make cards, and many others will offer them as a free service.
First, you’ll need to get the materials. You may be able to find all of them at your local craft store or dollar store—or you can raid your closet! You’ll need paper and pens/pencils to write your message on the inside of your card before decorating it with paint, glitter glue or other decorations.
Decorating Picture Frames
Decorating picture frames is a great activity to engage in as you get older. You can use any old frame, and they make cheap and cheerful decorations for the home. There are many ways to decorate a picture frame and make it on your own. Choose what theme you want, or let the seasons dictate which materials you will use in your creation.
You may paint the back of your frame with an abstract design or floral pattern, then hang it on the wall like art. Or, if your home has more room for multiple photo collages, try taking pictures of friends and family members together at Christmas time (or whatever holiday you prefer) and adding them to each frame from last year’s collection! This adds extra meaning to each picture. Now everyone who looks at them knows where they came from.
Pinecone Christmas Tree Ornaments
You’ll need pinecones, googly eyes, yarn or string and hot glue gun. This is a super easy craft and can be done in just a few steps. First, take your pinecone and eyeball it for the top of your tree. When you’re confident that you’ve found the perfect spot to stick on those googly eyes (or any other embellishments), it’s time to start gluing! Once all of them are attached, string some yarn through one side of your tree and tie it off at the back for the perfect pinecone ornament.
Snowball Wreath
This is a super easy craft you can do with your retirement home friends. All you need is some green and red paper (or construction paper), glue and some twine to hang on the wall. Cut out a circle of green paper large enough to cover most of the wreath’s frame, then cut out another circle in red and glue them together, so they overlap in the middle. Wrap twine around the outside of this wreath, securing it at both ends with tape or hot glue before hanging it on your wall! You can also add a Christmas ribbon if you want something extra pretty.
Conclusion
These ideas are great to get started with crafts in your retirement home. The best thing is that you can use any supplies around the house, such as wrapping paper, glue and yarn. These crafts are also an excellent way to spend time with other residents interested in creating something festive this holiday season!
