- Oct 17, 2022

December Monthly Planning Guide

RE-OCCURRING PROGRAMS ON OUR PRE-MADE CALENDARS ( available in our shop) :

YOUR INNER ARTIST

Instead of having a pre-made illustration to paint on, give your residents a plain white paper that is paint compatible. Play holiday music in the background. Have residents paint whatever winter scene desire. You can tell them if they would like to paint abstract art, or something that reminds them of the holiday season, while relaxing and painting.

(If your facility allows it, this would be a great program to offer wine with- just always make sure to have non-alcoholic options)

The Don’t Look Back Game

Don’t look back is a great group activity! First you have to ask for a resident to volunteer to “ Not Look Back.” Have them sit in front of a large chalkboard/dry erase board facing the opposite way. On the board write any person, place or thing. Now, in order for the resident to find out what is written behind them, the audience (fellow residents) have to give clues without giving away the answer.

For example, if you write Eiffel Tower on the board, residents would have to give clues such as “ This is a landmark in Paris.”

WATER PONG COMPETITIONS

Fill red solo cups with water half way and sort like in the picture above. Three cups in the back, two cups in the middle and one cup in front. On a table that allows a lot of bounce, have residents sit on each end of the table and try to throw ping pong balls into the other resident’s cup!

YOUTUBE TRIVIA

If your care home has a smart TV, go to Youtube.com and you can search trivia games that everyone can play. Just make sure to pause the screen before the answers are shown. There are countless trivia videos on youtube that can be fun and educational .

Holiday Trivia:

THIS LETTER/ THAT LETTER

Directions: On a Whiteboard " or chalkboard" write down any two letters in the alphabet. For example: "s" and "e". Next have residents shout out words that start with an S and end with an E. such as stove, store, stone, sore. This game is a lot of fun and you can go through many words using different letters. I find whiteboard games to be more interactive with residents because you don't fall into the repetitive circle of one or two people being involved with something that may be more challenging such as trivia questions.

SOCK HOP AND MILKSHAKES

Play some jukebox style tunes while acting as a “soda jerk”. Serve up blended milkshakes and dance your heart out to classic singers like “The Big Bopper”, Little Richie, and other fun 50’s/60’s performers.

YOUTUBE KARAOKE/ Karaoke Krooners

Put together a playlist of karaoke songs to sing along to on your smart tv.

Lights, Camera, Appetite

To switch up regular matinees, let's make it a sensory experience! By creating dishes inspired by the movies you are showing

Relaxation Station:

Play soft, meditation music and offer relaxing hand massages with warm cloths & lotions. Service water with lemon.

* Please note, all source links are curated by My Activity Resources, but are not produced by us. We love finding the best content and sharing it with fellow activity professionals.

Special Days To Celebrate This Month:

December 2nd is National Fritters Day:

Here is a link to easy recipe: https://soufflebombay.com/easy-apple-fritters/

December 5th is National Volunteer Day

Reach out to your community in advance, and gather items to be donated to our troops. There are many local organizations that collect for service members. This is a great way to have your community give back!

December 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, share this video on untold stories of bravery during that fateful day:

December 9th: Host a holiday vendor event! This is a great opportunity to invite the community, as well as give residents a chance to buy some unique and fun gifts this holiday season!

December 12th: Lights, Camera, Appetite: Film: Christmas Vacation/Recipe: Sugar Cookies! Show the film "Christmas Vacation" while preparing then baking holiday sugar cookies. Here is a link to a simple and tasty recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10110/soft-christmas-cookies/

Here is a link to super cute cookie cutters: https://www.amazon.com/KAISHANE-Christmas-Cookie-Cutters-Set/dp/B07WQZWC1G/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cookie+cutters+for+christmas%27&qid=1666031565&qu=eyJxc2

December 15th: Crafting Corner: Holiday Wreaths:

December 18th: Hannukkah Begins! Here are some fun ways to celebrate:

December 19th: Lights, Camera, Appetite : Show a matinee of The Grinch while baking these adorable Grinch cupcakes Recipe Link: https://www.simplisticallyliving.com/the-grinch-cupcakes/

Scenic Drive: On December 21st, plan a special dinner trip, and afterwards drive around town looking at holiday lights to get in the spirit!

December 24th is Christmas Eve

Here is a link to a holiday word search that is free and printable: https://twokidsandacoupon.com/2020/11/free-christmas-word-search-printable-for-kids-and-adults.html

December 25th is Christmas Day. Here is a link to a holiday sing-a-long: