Christmas crafts
Merry Christmas!
This month is filled with festive fun for our residents, which means all sorts of Christmas crafts to get involved with. And these activities are suitable for anyone; crafting is a great way to boost mood, stimulate our brains, and make memories with those around us.
We’re sharing a run-down of how we’ve been making the most of this holiday season – use it as inspiration and show us anything you make!
Christmas cards
A classic Christmas craft is, of course, card making! Christmas cards have been a staple tradition for years, as even a small gesture can show a loved one that you’re thinking of them. It’s a meaningful way to stay connected, and many people opt for cards to offer a physical token of their affection.
The best part about card-making is that the design is completely up to you. It’s a great way to express yourself, whilst still spreading the joy to someone else.
This year, we opted for pompoms, felt tips, and cotton wool balls for Santa’s beard, but you can use any material that suits best, or that you may already have at home.
Every year, we encourage our residents to make their own Christmas cards. Not only is it a loved tradition for marking the season, but for many older adults, this activity can signal comfort, structure, and a sense of continuity throughout the changing years.
Kitting out the tree
The tradition of Christmas trees originally came from Germany, but it was Queen Victoria that made it popular in Britain to decorate a tree at Christmas. And fir trees are still the most commonly used because they’re evergreen, meaning they keep their colour even throughout winter.
Decorations on the tree used to symbolise life and hope, but many people now decide to decorate their tree as a bonding activity with family and friends.
You can even make the tree decorations! Many choose to sew or crochet Christmas symbols like snowmen and robins to sit on their tree. You can also make baubles from pompoms, which you can make with a pompom maker, or by using yarn and a fork. Paper snowflakes are also a great tree or window decoration, and you can use ready-made templates if design isn’t your strong suit.
Mince pie making
… because baking is a craft! Many people use homemade goods as a way to celebrate the festive season. Christmas is the spirit of giving, so it’s always nice to spend time making a sweet treat for someone else. And what better gift is there than a warm mince pie?
The history of mince pies spans all the way back to the Middle Ages, and people believed eating a mince pie for 12 days, from Christmas day to Twelfth Night, would bring you happiness for the next 12 months.
For our residents, mince pies can be very comforting. Like many foods that have stood the test of time, mince pies are known for evoking nostalgia. The smell and taste can promote happy memories of previous Christmases, and we’re always here for a trip down memory lane.
Pinwheels
Whilst pinwheels are eaten all year round, they’re popular at Christmas because they’re easy to make for parties. They can be made festive with red and green filling, and they’re often placed front and centre at grazing tables, perfect for a big Christmas feast.
They can be customised to however you like, but we especially love this feta, onion and cranberry combination. Not only is this activity good for the brain and for maintaining motor skills, but making food with friends has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and other negative thoughts.
These are just a few examples, but there are so many ways to get involved and spread Christmas cheer. We always encourage our residents to make gifts themselves, as there’s no denying the sense of accomplishment we feel after making something special for a loved one.
However you celebrate, we hope you have a very merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! We can’t wait to welcome 2026 – for anything you may need before then, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
