The week before this party, visit with residents about past Christmas events that they remember; What were their favorite gifts? Did mother prepare a special dish for the meal? Did extended family members come to the house for dinner? Did anyone get a new dress for church? Did the kids go out sledding after dinner? Write these down and get permission from the story teller to share their memories later, at the party.
This is such a beautiful month for a party as the decorations are so numerous and so colorful! Tables can be covered with red and green table covers, napkins and paper plates can also be red and green or white or yellow for contrast. Centerpieces can be clear mason jars filled with colorful Christmas balls or large coils of fluffy garland. Strands of evergreen garland can circle the jars and themselves can be decorated with small colorful ornaments. Even small Christmas trees are available at the Dollar Store for very little money. Also a decorating possibility for tables would be a stand of several colorful Christmas cards in the center and/or a collection of children’s Christmas story books. Leave the books within reach of the participants so they have the opportunity to enjoy them. Play instrumental Christmas music as people are gathering.
Invite a group of young children, an elementary class or a day care group of children. They would be there, NOT to entertain but simply to intermingle, walk around for the residents to enjoy. Perhaps they could each bring an item they have made and want to share, personally with one or two residents but their main purpose is simply to be there. It is important that their teacher know they are not to plan entertainment.
Choose one good adult reader to begin the party, first by welcoming all and instilling quiet, then reading, “The Night Before Christmas”.
Have a staff member prepared to share personal Christmas memory as a means of inviting party goers to also share. Ask for volunteers to share a memory. If they hesitate, read one or two of the stories you garnered earlier in the week. This might generate more participation. If not, simply read more of the collected memories.
Simple Hot Cocoa Center Piece: Three jars with the fixings for a great hot cocoa. Adding a hat to the top jar, along with buttons and a pompom nose.
Remember to ask about family customs. What was one thing that the family always did at Christmas?
Make a beautifully decorated tree the center of attention. Turn off the big room lights so the lights of the tree fill the room. In this atmosphere, the activity staff can lead all in the singing of 3 or 4 well known Christmas carols that will require no written words.
A special hot drink might be pleasant, coffee with special creamers or maybe a lightly sweetened spiced tea. Serve some rolls of buttered lefse and the party is perfect.
Once the food and drink has been served and enjoyed, enlist that good reader one more time to read “The Christmas Story” and close the party with “O Come All Ye Faithful” or another meaningful, well known Christmas carol, sending everyone back to their rooms with memories of Christmas music and the Christmas story filling their heads.
*The mason jar filled with small ornaments will look especially festive if topped with a red sock. Simply roll the sock two or three times, then turn the roll over so the outside color is visible. Then pull the sock over the top of the jar. It will look like a stocking cap so striped socks also work well as do socks with Christmas designs.
