For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
One of the major events in December is, of course, the Christmas party.
Many nursing homes and day service centers also hold Christmas parties, don’t they?
We want older adults to smile and enjoy themselves at these gatherings.
So this time, we’re sharing ideas for performances and activities that seniors can enjoy.
We’ve gathered a variety of options, from games seniors can participate in to staff-led shows.
December is a busy time, with the year-end and New Year holidays approaching.
Please use this article as a reference when preparing for your Christmas party.
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
- [Christmas Party at the Nursing Home] Staff Take on the Challenge! Fun Performances Everyone Can Enjoy
- Entertainment and Performances That Delight at Day Services for the Elderly
- [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: Simple and exciting! Ideas for staff performances
- Christmas Party Ideas! Fun Activities and Game Ideas
- [For Seniors] Lively! Entertainment Ideas for New Year’s Parties
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- Christmas party booster! A collection of game ideas that large groups can enjoy
- Performances to Liven Up New Year Parties for Elderly Care Facility Staff
- [Christmas] Popular Entertainment/Performance Ideas Ranking
- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
[For Seniors] Get Everyone Excited! Christmas Party Performance Ideas (51–60)
Snowball Cookies
How about some crunchy, crumbly snowball cookies? They’re super easy—you only need to heat them in the microwave.
First, mix cake flour and sugar, then add vegetable oil and stir until it forms a dough.
Once the dough is ready, pinch off bite-sized pieces, roll them into balls, and microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds.
That’s almost it—just finish by dusting them with powdered sugar.
Using a plastic bag to mix the dough makes it easy, and pinching and rolling the dough is fun, too.
Most of all, they’re incredibly simple to make, so give them a try!
Present Balance Game
This is a game that lets you enjoy the challenge of balance with a Christmas tree motif.
You stack toilet paper rolls—slit and spread open—and paper plates alternately to resemble a tree, then place present boxes on it without letting it topple.
By using a paper plate for the base of the tree as well, intentionally creating a wobbly structure, players naturally focus on balance when placing the boxes.
Pay attention to decorating the tree and presents, too, so players can feel the Christmas atmosphere while concentrating on their hand movements.
Christmas exercises with plastic bottles
Let us introduce an exercise using plastic-bottle maracas! It’s fun to put buttons or other small items inside the bottle so it makes sound.
You can enjoy the different sounds depending on what you put in.
The added weight also helps strengthen your arms.
Try moving the arm and the opposite leg at the same time to the rhythm of “Jingle Bells.” We recommend a big reach forward and then return.
Repeating the same motion makes it easy to follow.
Let’s use our brains while moving our whole bodies!
Last Christmas
This is an exercise set to the classic song “Last Christmas,” which you hear everywhere during the holiday season.
While seated in a chair, focus on step-like leg movements to thoroughly strengthen your lower body.
Matching the gentle rhythm helps you pay attention to the size of each movement—another key point.
Once you’re comfortable with the lower-body moves, start adding upper-body actions, such as swinging your arms in time with the stepping.
You’ll feel the joy of the music throughout your whole body, and it will also help you develop smooth, coordinated walking.
[For Seniors] Ideas for Performances to Liven Up a Christmas Party for Everyone (61–70)
Jingle Bell Exercises You Can Do While Seated
While listening to Christmas songs, let me introduce some exercises you can do while seated! Try swaying your body to the lively rhythm of “Jingle Bells.” It’s also fun to use instruments that make sounds, like bells.
In addition to big arm movements, try leaning your body forward and patting your legs.
Lifting your legs and moving them as if marching will increase the intensity.
It’s also a great idea to make it a “Christmas medley” and exercise to a variety of songs! Including a slower-tempo piece in the middle will help you relax.
My lover is Santa Claus
This is an exercise routine set to Yumi Matsutoya’s classic Christmas song “Koi-bito ga Santa Claus” (My Lover Is Santa Claus).
It focuses mainly on upper-body movements, making it accessible even for those who find it difficult to move their legs.
The routine expresses words from the lyrics through body movements, and paying attention to the size of each movement will further enhance the training effect.
It’s also important to focus on how the song conveys the joy of Christmas.
Lightly marching in place to catch the rhythm will help train your legs while also leading to smoother overall movement.
Matching game
Illustrations with winter and Christmas themes are drawn on the grid of drawing paper and on the bottoms of paper cups.
It’s a game where you race to see how quickly you can line up the paper cups to match the illustrations on the grid.
The key is to stack the cups so you can’t see which illustration will come next, training quick reflexes to identify and place the right cup instantly.
By trying repeatedly, players may not only improve their reflexes but also become more mindful of smooth hand movements.
It’s fine to simply enjoy the game with the prepared materials, but if you start from the illustration-drawing stage, you can savor even more of the Christmas atmosphere—highly recommended!