Holidays are an opportunity for loved ones to get together and enjoy. This could be public holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or something that is more specific to your culture or religion. Whatever it is, holidays have deep significance for all but sometimes your loved ones may feel excluded when they can’t participate in the holiday activities. This could happen due to various health reasons, mobility issues, allergies, medication effects, and more. Exclusion can lead to feelings of negativity and can put a dampener on the holiday mood. You can easily adapt holiday activities so that everyone can enjoy them. Here’s how!
Sprucing Up the House with Holiday Decorations
There’s no holiday without decorations after all. Most people love to celebrate by putting up holiday-appropriate decorations. For those with mobility issues, however, they may be unable to stand up for long periods, stretch, use ladders, or reach inaccessible places to put up the décor. However, this is far from being the only way to decorate. Get your loved ones involved in arts and crafts that require folding or cutting paper and that can be done whilst sitting down.
Wrapping Gifts for Children
Children love gifts and there’s no one that they love it more from than their grandparents, aunts, or uncles who endlessly spoil them! Wrapping gifts is a great way to contribute to the holidays. Even for seniors who may not be especially skilled with their hands, they can still unleash their creativity and feel like they are a part of the traditions.
Playing Indoor Games Together
Families all over the world love to stay inside for Christmas. This is understandable because in many places the weather outside is harsh and cold. But even if your holiday doesn’t fall during the colder months, there is no harm in staying inside and playing board games, card games, Pictionary, or trivia quizzes. Games are a great way for one to showcase their hidden talents and have a lot of fun too!
Baking and Cooking A Family Meal
Every holiday around the world has its own special food – and truthfully, that’s the main reason we look forward to them after all! Eating the delicacies means that someone has got to be cooking them. Usually, traditional recipes are passed down from our parents and grandparents so it’s likely that they are extremely familiar with those. Encourage them to help in the preparatory stages even if they can’t stand over the stove for long periods. Alternatively, seek their input in key stages of the cooking process.
Volunteering or Donating to Charities
People of all ages can and should volunteer. This can be done in numerous ways. For example, your loved ones can donate their preloved items to charities. This has the added benefit of clearing out their own items. They could also volunteer their time by cooking food or making craft supplies for people living in homeless shelters, for example. Whatever it is, giving back to society can fill one with purpose and make them feel needed.
