For Seniors: Fun and Engaging December Event and Recreation Ideas
December is a time filled with lively events and festivities like Christmas and New Year’s.
Care facilities and day service centers are likely planning events and recreational activities to match the season, too.
In this article, we introduce recommended December events and recreational activities for older adults.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, focusing on themes related to December.
Many of these activities can also be enjoyed in other months, but they include seasonal touches that make them especially delightful now.
We hope these events and activities help older adults expand their social connections.
Please make use of this article during the busy year-end season.
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
- Entertainment ideas for year-end parties that seniors will enjoy
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- [For Seniors] Fun Winter Activities: Recreation and Games
- [For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations for December: Ideas Collection
- [Care Facilities] Popular Christmas Decorations: Handmade Ideas to Brighten Up Indoor Spaces
- [For Seniors] Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas That Feel Warm and Heartfelt
- Recreation Activities to Liven Up January Events for Seniors
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
- [Christmas & New Year] Craft Ideas for Day Services in December
- [For Seniors] Fun Recreational Activities Without Equipment
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
[For Seniors] Exciting! December Event and Recreation Ideas (21–30)
New Year’s cards made with cookie cutters and potatoes
These are fun New Year’s cards that are sure to draw surprised reactions if you include them in a recreation activity.
When people think of New Year’s cards, many imagine drawing with pens or markers.
This idea uses something unusual instead: potatoes.
Cut a potato in half, press a cookie cutter into it to make a stamp, and then paint it to easily stamp designs.
You can create numbers to represent the year or make shapes for the coming year’s zodiac animal.
With potato stamps, the possibilities are endless depending on your creativity.
Try incorporating this activity—it’s bound to be filled with surprise and delight.
Simple hand-drawn New Year’s card with a pen
@happymoji_ayuayu It’s not too late! / New Year’s card idea (2)New Year’s greeting card illustrationSimple illustrationMessage CardTranslation
♬ Chu,Tayousei. – ano
I want to try drawing a cute, pop-style New Year’s card.
If you feel the same, here’s a recommendation: a simple illustration using markers.
Draw a garland at the top, and in the center write “HAPPY NEW YEAR” in a cute logo style.
Using fluffy lettering or adding little patterns makes it fun.
If changing the lettering style is difficult, try creating originality by changing the font size or the pen colors.
Don’t forget to include next year’s date in the Western calendar.
Add a short message, and you’re done!
New Year’s cards painted with cotton swabs
@srkmnnmn.7 Try using it for your New Year’s card!#New Year's cardDragon#IllustrationInk#ShirokumaNanamin
♪ Original Song – Shirokuma Nanamin 🐻🎨 – Shirokuma Nanamin 🐻❄️🎨
How about New Year’s card art using cotton swabs that even people who aren’t good at drawing can enjoy? You can buy ink and cotton swabs at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to give it a try.
Dip a cotton swab in ink and draw the zodiac animal.
The video shows the Year of the Snake, so green ink is used.
Choose a color that matches the zodiac animal of the year.
Once the ink dries, use a black ballpoint pen to add features like the face and feet.
What matters isn’t skill, but having fun while drawing! For next year’s New Year’s cards, why not send them with heartfelt, original illustrations?
Making cute New Year’s cards with DAISO purchases
Why not make stylish New Year’s cards easily using items from a 100-yen shop? With stickers, washi (masking) tape, stamps, and more, you can enjoy creating a design that’s uniquely yours.
Just adding zodiac-themed stickers or framing the card with washi tape gives it a warm touch.
Write a short message with a brush pen or colored pen to make it feel even more heartfelt.
Choosing the materials is part of the fun, and depending on how you combine them, you can finish with a cute or elegant look.
It’s an easy, heartwarming way to create New Year’s cards that will bring a smile to the recipient.
Karaoke Contest
Karaoke is a classic activity that livens up any event—whether you’re singing or listening, everyone can share in the fun.
You’re free to choose any song, but try to pick ones that everyone can enjoy together.
Some people can sing without looking at anything, but singing while reading the lyrics lets you coordinate seeing and singing at the same time, which helps stimulate the brain.
If the listeners join in by clapping along to the beat, it enhances the overall enjoyment, so that’s highly recommended too.
Candy-style wrapping
Here’s an introduction to candy-style wrapping, perfect for small gifts like sweets or trinkets! If you’re planning presents for grandchildren or friends for winter events like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, why not try this wrapping? All you need is origami paper with a pattern you like, and it’s very easy to make.
First, cut the origami paper in half and apply double-sided tape in three places: the top, bottom, and right side.
Next, roll it into a tube and seal just one end, then place the gift inside.
Finally, seal the top, trim both ends with a zigzag cut, and decorate with stickers or other accents—that’s it! You can customize it however you like, so have fun making it while imagining the smile on the recipient’s face!
Making Valentine’s chocolates
Why not try making chocolate for Valentine’s Day on February 14? I especially recommend “cheesecake-in-chocolate.” Melting store-bought chocolate and shaping it into an original form is a classic method, but it can sometimes set too hard.
That makes it harder to eat, so the key is to find ways to keep the texture on the softer side.
There are several methods, so try looking some up.
By the way, adding cheese gives a pleasant tang and a light, refreshing taste.
