Performances to Liven Up New Year Parties for Elderly Care Facility Staff
A New Year’s party is an event to celebrate the start of a new year and refresh our spirits.
Of course we exchange New Year’s greetings, but we also want to make it a joyful gathering where we can share the excitement of the year’s beginning.
With that in mind, we’ve put together ideas for performances and activities suitable for a New Year’s party for staff.
Many of these are primarily carried out by staff members, but it’s even more enjoyable if you find ways for older adults to join in—like clapping along or singing together.
Preparing props for a lion dance or making omikuji (fortune slips) can be a lot of work, but it could be nice to have the older adults help during a pre–New Year’s party recreation session.
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- [For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Simple Performances to Liven Up a Year-End Party
- Entertainment ideas for year-end parties that seniors will enjoy
- [For seniors] January health topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games
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- Recreation Activities to Liven Up January Events for Seniors
- [Christmas Party at the Nursing Home] Staff Take on the Challenge! Fun Performances Everyone Can Enjoy
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- [For Seniors] Brighten Up Your New Year’s Party: A Collection of Handmade Decoration Ideas
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[For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Entertainment Ideas to Liven Up New Year’s Parties (21–30)
Lucky Daruma Dance
When it comes to daruma dolls, they’re strongly associated with good luck, and just having one there makes it feel like a celebration.
How about wearing a costume inspired by a daruma and expressing celebration and joy through dance? A big daruma costume can be hard to move in, so you can make people laugh by showing how you do your best to dance in it.
Since a daruma that’s hard to move in can lead to a simple, limited dance, we recommend appearing as a set with a more mobile costume as well.
Escape Show
Among various magic shows, the grand finale that really brings the house down is often an elaborate escape.
Let’s challenge an escape from an impossible situation and give the audience a huge surprise.
The classic routine is being locked in a box, having swords thrust into it, then removing the swords and opening the lid to reveal the performer unharmed.
The mechanism is simple—there’s a hole at the back to slip through—but the key is figuring out how to carry it out without letting the audience catch on.
Use clever touches to heighten the surprise, such as showing an initial failure to lower their guard.
kayo show (Japanese pop music show)
https://www.tiktok.com/@appare_toyokawa/video/7483314970449546504When it comes to classics that add flair to a summer festival, nothing beats a “kayō show.” Staff dress up in kimonos or gowns and perform nostalgic pop songs, prompting handclaps and humming from the crowd.
Some people’s eyes light up the moment a Showa-era hit starts playing.
There’s room for laughs with small dance moves, staging, and props, and it works whether you aim for a mellow, heartfelt mood or a lively, festive one.
Even if you’re not a strong singer, wholehearted role-playing draws applause.
It’s a performance that creates a warm moment where nostalgia and smiles overflow together.
costume Bon Odori
Let me introduce an idea that will make your usual Bon Odori many times more fun: the “Costume Bon Odori.” Of course, happi coats and yukatas are great, but if you join the circle in a quirky costume, the onlookers won’t be able to help smiling.
Even just adding headgear or small props instantly elevates the vibe and makes the whole venue lively.
Even if you’re not great at dancing, the beauty of this attraction is that simply dressing up naturally brings a smile to your face.
As you move your body to the rhythm, you may even feel your spirits lift.
It’s a participatory attraction that brightens and energizes summer festivals and is sure to be a hit.
HAND CLAP
HAND CLAP, which gained popularity after a video was released in 2017.
The hand clap dance, performed to the song “HAND CLAP,” is characterized by big arm and leg movements and energetic jumping.
Because this dance is highly effective for burning fat, it involves large, dynamic movements.
If the staff perform a sharp, energetic routine, older adults are likely to enjoy it as well.
It’s recommended to perform it as a small group with synchronized choreography.
It should also be satisfying for seniors celebrating their birthdays to watch the dance.
Additionally, if you modify the choreography so it can be done seated, older adults can participate too.
Please give it a try.
Hige Dance
The Hige Dance, which was hugely popular in the Showa era.
The Drifters’ Ken Shimura and Cha Kato wore fake mustaches and silently performed various gags—an unforgettable sight.
Back then, many children were glued to the TV to watch the Hige Dance.
Many older adults have probably seen it at least once, too.
Because the Hige Dance is familiar to seniors, it’s also recommended for birthday recreation.
Have the staff put on a Hige Dance performance.
Try doing tricks to the distinctive Hige Dance melody.
If staff with fake mustaches perform silently, it’s likely to get seniors excited.
Even seniors who don’t know the Hige Dance will probably be captivated by the staff’s act.
fashion show
A birthday party that celebrates longevity and expresses daily gratitude.
How about holding a fashion show as part of this wonderful birthday event? Invite seniors to wear outfits connected to their lives or ones they’ve always wanted to try.
Choosing among dresses, kimonos, and more can make for an enjoyable time in itself.
And be sure to spend time on makeup, too.
Just as there is makeup therapy that incorporates psychological techniques, some people feel lighter and brighter after a makeover.
Walking the runway with staff members, just like a real fashion show, is sure to get everyone excited.