Old-Fashioned Fun This Holiday Season
There’s nothing like getting together with family over the holidays to celebrate with traditions. While it’s always fun to incorporate new things into the holiday to-do list, such as Drone light shows or doing TikTok dances to Christmas music, there’s just something fun, nostalgic and special about having some old-fashioned fun with family and friends over the holidays. Reviving some of the traditions is a great way for senior loved ones to share stories of the past with the younger generations and to relive some of their most fond memories. As you celebrate the season this year, here are some ideas for old-time fun.
Tea Time
The holidays are a great time to get dressed up and have an old-fashioned Christmas tea. You can head to places such as Wisteria Tea Room in Ft. Myers for a traditional tea. Or, if you prefer, you can get out Grandma’s finest china and make your own cucumber sandwiches at home and have a tea complete with sugar cubes in your cubs. Don’t forget to wear your fanciest holiday outfits and a pretty hat, and hold your pinkies up high for this old-fashioned tradition.
Make Some Decorations
Gather around with your senior loved ones and make some old favorite decorations to brighten up the home for the holidays. Grab a needle and thread and string some cranberries and popcorn for garland on the tree. If you prefer something that is not perishable, try a traditional chain-link garland made from red and green construction paper. Cut giant snowflakes out of paper, and decorate the patio windows to make it look like it's snowing, even if you’re in sunny Florida for the holidays. Crafting can provide togetherness time, as well as laughs over the failures in your designs. You might come up with some special ornaments and decorations to save over the years.
Tell Stories and Read Around the Fireplace
Even if it’s not cold outside, you can gather indoors around the fire and tell stories or read holiday stories aloud. If you want a little Florida twist on the tradition, you can sit on the lanai around the fire and do the same. Tell stories of Christmases past. Read “The Night Before Christmas.” Go around and ask everyone to recount their favorite Christmas memories from childhood. Have your senior loved one share what the holidays were like when he or she was younger and what type of presents they got. Ask questions. Did they open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? What were special treats they got to eat around the holidays?
Make A Visit
To see what the holidays were like in an old-fashioned home, head to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, which is all decked out for the season at this time of the year. The estate holds a special Holiday Nights celebration through December. You will not only see the home decorated but there are also thousands of lights covering the trees around the estate. On a special tour, you can see the home adorned with decorations and gifts as it would have been in the early 20th Century. On certain nights, you will also find carolers on the ground, harkening back to old-time holiday fun.
Bake Up A Storm
Just like families have done for generations, host a baking day to prepare sweets and treats for the holidays. Grab grandma’s old cookie press and gingerbread cutters, and get to work flowering the dough and cutting out shapes. Depending on your senior loved one’s taste, you might either want to bake or skip a fruitcake. But if grandma makes one, have everyone give it a try. Everyone needs a taste of the old-time gooey baked goods at least once in their lives. Make Spritz and peanut butter cookies topped with Hershey Kisses. Try all of the old-time favorites. Then, pack up some tins of cookies and deliver them to the neighbors to spread holiday cheer the old-fashioned way.
Visiting Angels Can Help
If you are looking for someone to help your senior loved one this holiday season or any time in the coming year, our caregivers at Visiting Angels can help. Our compassionate caregivers can provide companionship, personal care and specialty services. Visiting Angels can help seniors keep in touch with friends, prepare meals, remind them to take their medicines, and more. We serve seniors in Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and the surrounding areas. We provide various home care services, including companion care, respite care, fall prevention services and a safe and steady program.
We will come to your home for a free visit to find out what needs you have and develop a care plan tailored to your needs. Call us at (239) 226-1620 for more information or find us online.