Christmas Day is an exciting time, often spent with friends and family. Unfortunately, many seniors find themselves alone during the holiday. If you’re a solo senior or know one near you, there are several Christmas Day activities available to try, no matter where you are located in the world.
Although Christmas Day alone can be a frustrating experience, there are ample activities to try. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best things you can do as a solo senior, from crafting in your room to looking for presents for the coming year of gifts.
1. Write Christmas Letters
According to one study, writing is an excellent cure for loneliness. Since that’s the case, writing Christmas letters is an ideal Christmas Day activity for solo seniors. You can craft your cards, pick addresses to send them to, and craft creative Christmas notes to get in the spirit.
Christmas letters can be to real people, to yourself, or they can be creative and to random individuals. Provide well wishes, put down your hopes for the next year, or let loved ones know how much you miss them. You can keep the cards or send them out the day after the holiday.
2. Window Shop
If you are able to get out and about, it’s fun to window shop for gifts. Store windows during Christmas are decorated and provide some incredible colors and decor choices, which means window shopping can set the pace for the day.
You can also window shop for gifts if you plan to see relatives in later days of the month, pick early selections for next year, and examine the decorations used by the stores. Window shopping is a simple way to access cozy Christmas feelings.
3. Have a Movie Night
There are hundreds of classic Christmas movies, so a solo senior can have an excellent time with a movie night. Invest in some of the best Christmas snacks, get a holiday cup of hot cocoa, and settle in for a warm winter night.
Those who live in an assisted living home may have access to movie nights in the building. Alternatively, consider inviting others over on the floor to enjoy the films together for a comfortable holiday evening or day. It could be an exciting way to get to know the women and men in your living space, growing closer together over Christmas.
4. Bake Delicious Cookies
Cookies are undeniably one of the best treats for a Christmas event. A solo senior could have an excellent time accessing old family recipes and baking everything from sugar cookies to classic peanut butter.
Bake cookies for yourself, or put them on cute plates to share with others in December. You can also eat a few and freeze them for later months. You can have Christmas sweetness year-round!
Related: 10 Recipes for Grandkids
5. Swap Gifts With a Loved One
Social ties and human connections are critical, offering emotional and physical well-being, according to one study. If a solo senior has a loved one living nearby, it could be exciting to swap gifts with them and connect over the season.
The gift swap can happen in person, or it can occur over the mail if there is enough distance between both parties. Gift-giving and receiving is one of the most magical parts of Christmas.
Related: 11 Best Gifts for the Cook in Your Life
6. Connect Virtually With Loved Ones
Maybe a solo senior has loved ones, but they are hundreds of miles away. In that case, spend some time on Christmas day using applications like Zoom to connect virtually. It’s a unique, modern invention that makes coming together more possible.
Consider calling and opening gifts together or reading a story to grandchildren. Distance no longer has to keep conversations at bay – virtual connection is the future.
Related: How to Stay Connected with Grandkids
7. Create a Delicious Feast
Who says a delicious feast must be reserved for a large crowd? If solo seniors enjoy cooking, it might be a fun activity to create an upscale dining event for one on Christmas Day.
Cook all the classics, such as mashed potatoes and turkey. Ensure the portions are enough for one, or prepare to have leftovers. Also, consider inviting over neighbors to share in the food with you.
8. Volunteer
One study shows those who help out can lower their chance of early death. For solo seniors who are still physically capable, it could be an excellent task to volunteer on Christmas Day instead of spending the event inside. There are plenty of locations searching for volunteers to assist in the busier months.
Solo seniors could help out at soup kitchens, assist with sorting donations, and more. There are ample Christmas Day activities for seniors who want to give volunteering a shot.
9. Enjoy a Christmas Walk
A walk is always a classic choice for Christmas Day activities, opening opportunities to get outside and smell the fresh air. Walking around at Christmas is an excellent way to feel less alone and be kind to your body.
A Christmas walk can be around the neighborhood, through a city, or wherever else walking paths are present. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors.
10. Have a Christmas Cleaning Day
Christmas Day is for relaxing and enjoying the spirit of the season, but it might also be an excellent time for seniors to go through their belongings and clean out their homes. One study shows that keeping the home clean can dramatically improve air quality over time.
It can be something as small as dusting the windows or as large as rearranging all the furniture in your home. A Christmas cleaning day is an excellent task for seniors who are more detail-oriented and want to be productive as solo individuals.
11. Enjoy a Christmas Spa Day
Finally, consider enjoying a Christmas spa day for the ultimate relaxation opportunity. A good bath can help with chronic pain, improve heart health, and improve various skin conditions. It’s an effort worth every moment.
Solo seniors can use face masks, soak in a bubble bath, and light a scented candle to transform their living for Christmas Day. Ideally, stick with scents reminiscent of the season like Balsam or Cranberry. Check out this spa kit to get started!
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