The holiday season is a special time in long-term care communities—a period filled with anticipation, emotion, remembrance, connection, and joy. For many residents, this time of year brings treasured memories, cultural traditions, and opportunities to share stories from decades of lived experience. For others, the holidays can stir up loneliness, grief, or anxiety about being away from family or familiar surroundings.

As long-term care professionals, we have the privilege—and responsibility—to transform this season into something meaningful for every unique individual in our care. That begins with understanding residents on a deeper level, championing cultural inclusion, and crafting activities that honor their identities, preferences, and life stories.

Below are strategies to help your community create a holiday experience that is warm, engaging, inclusive, and profoundly resident-centered.

Start with Culture: Honor the Traditions Residents Cherish

The holidays do not look the same for everyone, and that’s something to celebrate. Resident populations in long-term care are wonderfully diverse, representing a range of ethnicities, religions, regional customs, and family traditions. Inclusive celebrations begin with understanding those differences.

Conduct a “Holiday Traditions” Life-Story Check-In

Even if your community completes life-story assessments, revisiting residents’ holiday preferences can provide timely insight. Ask questions such as:

• What holidays or cultural observances do you celebrate?
• What foods, music, or rituals were important to you growing up?
• Who did you typically spend holidays with?
• Are there traditions you no longer do but would like to revisit?

These conversations often spark joy, nostalgia, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. They also help your staff plan experiences that feel authentic and tailored, rather than generic.

Reflect the Community’s Diversity in Decor and Programming

Holiday environments should feel welcoming to all residents. Consider:

• Multi-faith or neutral winter décor in common areas
• Rotating displays for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Las Posadas, and cultural New Year celebrations
• Language-inclusive signage and greetings
• A “Traditions Wall” featuring photos, recipes, or quotes from residents and staff

When residents see their identities and histories reflected in the environment, it reinforces belonging—one of the most powerful drivers of emotional well-being.

Create Activities that Spark Joy, Engagement, and Purpose

The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to enhance engagement and reinforce a sense of purpose. Thoughtfully designed activities should focus on connection, creativity, reminiscence, and empowerment.

Crafting Experiences with Meaning

Consider offering:

• Intergenerational programs such as ornament-making or storytelling sessions with local schools or youth groups.
• Resident-led craft classes where individuals teach others how to make culturally meaningful items—wreaths, paper stars, knitted items, or traditional holiday decor.
• Music-based events, including sing-alongs, holiday karaoke, or performances from community musicians. Music is especially beneficial for residents with dementia.
• Memory-sharing circles featuring seasonal prompts (“Tell us about a favorite holiday meal,” “What was your best New Year’s Eve ever?”).
• Culinary traditions, whether hosting tasting booths, baking activities, or inviting families to share recipes for a community cookbook.

These experiences go beyond simple entertainment—they help residents reconnect with identity, engage socially, and enjoy meaningful sensory experiences.

Don’t Forget Sensory Engagement

Not all residents engage the same way. Offer sensory-friendly alternatives:

• Warm spices (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg) for scent therapy
• Soft lighting or quiet “holiday calm rooms”
• Gentle tactile activities like cookie-dough kneading, gift-wrapping stations, or textured holiday fabrics

Thoughtful sensory options ensure every resident can participate comfortably.

Center the Holidays Around Resident Choice and Autonomy

While teams work hard to create engaging activities, resident-centered care must always lead the way. The goal is not to do more—it’s to do what matters most to each resident.

Offer Variety and Flexibility

Not every resident wants a packed calendar. Some enjoy festive chaos, while others prefer calmer, quieter moments. Providing multiple options helps honor diverse personalities. Include:

• Small-group gatherings
• One-to-one visits
• Community-wide celebrations
• Virtual participation options for families who live far away

Even something as simple as providing “opt-out” alternatives or private rooms for viewing holiday movies allows residents to choose how they engage.

Include Residents in Planning

A resident advisory group—or simply a few conversations during community meetings—can reveal what people really want. You might be surprised: sometimes residents want fewer large parties and more intimate moments, like a drive to see neighborhood holiday lights or the chance to enjoy cocoa and conversation near a decorated tree.

Empowerment is a gift in itself.

Support Emotional Wellness During a Tender Time

While the holidays are joyful for many, they can also be bittersweet. Residents may be missing spouses, siblings, parents, or children. Others may experience the season as a reminder of change, loss of independence, or distance from their longtime homes.

Recognize Signs of Holiday-Related Stress or Sadness

Be mindful of:

• Withdrawal from activities
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Increased irritability, tearfulness, or quietness
• Expressions of grief or longing

When staff approach these moments with empathy and patience, it strengthens trust and enhances resident well-being.

Provide Emotional Support Resources

Examples include:

• Grief and remembrance services or candle-lighting ceremonies
• Spiritual care visits tailored to residents’ beliefs
• Private reflection spaces
• Peer-support conversations or sharing circles
• Encouraging families to send cards, videos, or voice messages

Remember: emotional well-being is just as important as physical safety.

Strengthen Family and Community Connections

The holidays offer a natural opportunity to bring families and communities closer to your residents.

Consider:

• Virtual family events for out-of-state relatives
• Holiday open houses with staggered times to reduce crowding
• Resident-family crafting or cookie-decorating days
• Community choir or church visits
• “Adopt-a-Resident” gift programs through local organizations

These activities reinforce community bonds and remind residents they are valued and remembered.

A Holiday Season of Connection, Care, and Culture

Making the holidays memorable is not about grandeur or expense—it’s about connection, culture, and compassion. When residents feel known, included, and celebrated as individuals, the season becomes brighter for everyone.

As long-term care professionals, your creativity, spirit, and commitment shape an environment where every resident can experience warmth, joy, and dignity. This year, may your holiday season be filled with meaningful moments, shared smiles, and the deep satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of those you serve.

The Compliance Store Can Help

Our subscribers have access to a wide variety of activity plans, care plans and other tools designed to help you create the Holiday Spirit your residents deserve. Call us today at 1-877-582-7347 or contact us online to learn more!