Senior Living News

Holiday Movie Night

Watching a seasonal movie is a low-activity option that doesn't require a lot of space. Count how many seats you have to determine your guest list. You can borrow a few chairs from a neighbor to provide more seating. Offer drinks and light snacks, such as Christmas cookies or flavored popcorn, to round out the evening.

Cookie Swap

Baking and decorating cookies with a large group could present a space challenge in a small home. Instead, ask everyone to bring cookies that are already baked and ready to eat for a cookie exchange. Set up all the cookies on your dining table or kitchen counter.

Then, everyone gets a take-home container and chooses a few of each kind of cookie. To keep your smaller space from getting crowded, have just a few people choose their cookies at a time. Everyone goes home with a variety of holiday cookies that they can enjoy themselves or take to other holiday gatherings.

Charity Activities

Charitable activities are a good way to embrace the true meaning of the holiday. You can make a larger impact when you get others involved. Examples of ways to incorporate giving into a holiday gathering include asking guests to bring items from a charity's wish list, putting together care packages for soldiers and making items to sell at a bake sale or craft fair.

If you feel you don't have enough space for this activity, look for volunteer opportunities in the community. You might have all your friends meet at your place and carpool to an off-site location to volunteer your time together. For example, if you want to adopt a family for the holidays, you might go shopping as a group to buy gifts.

Holiday Game Night

Organize holiday games to enjoy a fun night with friends. Board games offer a low-activity option that you can play easily around a table. If you don't have enough table space in your small apartment, consider holiday charades. Your guests can sit in your living room while one person stands up and acts out holiday-themed words. Plan your games ahead of time to help you decide how many people to invite based on the amount of space you need.

Holiday Bible Study

If you want to focus on the true meaning of the season, host a holiday Bible study session. You can organize one session or meet up with the same group several times leading up to the holidays. You can find holiday or Advent-themed Bible study programs to make planning easy, or choose your own passages and activities to dig into the details of the season.

If you already have a Bible study group or book club, you might shift from your regular activities to a holiday focus. Find a book that fits the theme for the meeting closest to the holiday.

Caroling

Instead of staying in for your holiday gathering, head out and share the joy of the holidays with others. Caroling around LifeStream at Sun City inspires everyone to embrace the holiday spirit. You might also carol at a nearby nursing home or at homes in the neighborhood. Plan your selection of carols ahead of time so your group knows what to expect.

Potluck

Hosting a holiday potluck makes it a little easier for you to prepare in a small kitchen. Each person can set up their contribution in a designated area. A less formal potluck eliminates the need for fancy plates and place settings at your table.

Virtual Holiday Gathering

If you don't feel like your small space can accommodate a holiday gathering, consider planning a virtual party. This also works well if you want to celebrate with friends or family members who live far away. Decide on a theme or activities and have everyone participate from home while on a video chat app. You can send packages to everyone with related items if desired. For example, if you organize virtual Christmas bingo, you might send bingo cards and markers to your guests before the party.

Card-Writing or Gift-Wrapping Party

Check tasks off your to-do list with a card-writing or gift-wrapping party. Card writing works well in small spaces. Everyone can bring their personal cards, or you can write cards for soldiers, local nursing home residents or other special populations. The same idea works for gift wrapping. Some local charities rely on volunteers to wrap gifts they receive as donations for those in need.

Holiday Spa Night

Stress levels are often higher around the holidays, so hosting a holiday spa night gives everyone a chance to relax. Make or buy holiday-scented face scrubs, lotions, lip scrubs and other home spa products. You simply need a spot for each person to sit and do their spa treatments, so it doesn't take a lot of space. An alternative is to have everyone make their own body scrub and take it home. You can gather around your dining table or kitchen counter to mix up the scrub.

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