[For Seniors] Christmas Dance to Classic Songs That Will Get Everyone Excited, Plus Plenty of Seated Exercise Ideas
As Christmas approaches, it’s the season when preparations for fun events begin even at senior care facilities.
Dance and rhythmic exercises that move the body to music create wonderful moments that bring everyone together.
This time, we’ll introduce activities to liven up Christmas parties, such as movements you can enjoy while seated and dances using instruments like bells and maracas.
Each program is filled with seasonal music and designed to let participants move their bodies comfortably and enjoyably, so please use them as a reference.
- Recommended for seniors: Fun and engaging Christmas exercises
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [For Seniors] Recommended Dances You Can Move To and Enjoy
- [Christmas Party at the Nursing Home] Staff Take on the Challenge! Fun Performances Everyone Can Enjoy
- [For Seniors] Have Fun and Relieve Stress! Introducing Dances Everyone Can Enjoy Together
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- Recommended Christmas songs for people in their 70s: A collection of classic winter hits from the Showa era
- Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
- [For Staff at Elderly Care Facilities] Simple Performances to Liven Up a Year-End Party
- For Seniors: Fun Entertainment That Excites at Nursing Homes
- Christmas Party Ideas! Fun Activities and Game Ideas
- Entertainment ideas for year-end parties that seniors will enjoy
[For Seniors] A Christmas Dance to Classic Songs That Everyone Can Enjoy. Plenty of Ideas for Seated Exercises Too (11–20)
Gymnastics to All I Want for Christmas Is You
Let’s try doing some exercises to Mariah Carey’s Christmas song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It’s famous as a classic Christmas tune.
Since it was also used as a TV drama theme song, some older adults may have heard it.
The melody builds along with the excitement of the season.
While listening to the music, try sitting and stretching your arms out to the sides, or lifting your legs.
Although it’s a bit up-tempo, this song matches the festive Christmas mood, so older adults may enjoy participating.
Please give it a try!
ALL I Want for Christmas Is You
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a stylish Christmas classic that you hear all around town during the holidays.
This piece invites you to move your body thoroughly to the chic vibe of that song.
Since the intro has a calm feel, start by gently stretching your body, then transition into lighter movements while feeling the rhythm.
The larger, brisk movements might be challenging in parts, but just feel the rhythm as much as you can within your comfort zone.
Striking the right balance between enjoyable rhythm and movement is the most important point of all.
Winter Wonderland
One of the Christmas songs that seems to come from nowhere when winter arrives is “Winter Wonderland.” Its bright sound and lively rhythm create a cheerful, uplifting atmosphere.
Although it was originally born in the United States, it has been translated into various languages and is sung all over the world.
Even if you’re seated, moving your upper body broadly or stepping your feet can serve as stretching and a moderate workout, so I recommend it.
I think it’s a song that even older adults will know, so why not include it in your Christmas recreation activities?
Rhythmic exercises using plastic bottle maracas
The idea is to hold a PET-bottle maraca that makes a sound when shaken and make the exercise routine more fun.
Using light-sounding maracas with Christmas songs further highlights the excitement leading up to the event.
To produce a clear sound, the snap of the wrist is important, so keep that in mind while moving your whole body.
The complex combination of singing, focusing on the wrist snap, and stretching the body is also likely to stimulate the brain.
Last Christmas
Last Christmas is a famous song that many people know and are familiar with.
This video lets you move your hands and feet to the rhythm while staying seated.
It’s also a great idea to write the lyrics on paper and move your body while singing together! Since the same movements are repeated, it’s easy to learn the dance—that’s a key point.
Put on a Santa hat or similar to boost the festive mood, and enjoy moving your body within a comfortable range according to how you feel on the day.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sitting down
This is an exercise set to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that captures the excitement of Santa Claus coming.
Because the song’s rhythm is light, you can fully enjoy it even with these simple chair-based movements.
Pinching your nose to match Rudolph’s red nose and motions that express riding in a sleigh help convey the song’s world through the exercise.
Rather than slow stretches, it features many light, sprightly movements, so it’s recommended to focus on keeping your breathing steady as you go.
[For Seniors] Christmas dance to classic songs that everyone can enjoy. Plenty of seated exercise ideas, too (21–30)
Christmas Exercise for Preventive Care
This program gets people moving in a fun way with choreography set to Christmas songs.
Aim to choose songs everyone knows, like lively pop tunes, so participants can enjoy themselves.
It’s also important to decide what choreography to include; we recommend incorporating Christmas-themed movements into simple exercises such as arm stretches.
Using a seated, low-impact posture and a relaxed tempo, encourage solid physical activity while highlighting the joy of Christmas.