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.
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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: 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] Let's Have Fun Together! Christmas Party Entertainment Ideas (1–10)
Christmas-themed guessing game
Throwing a ball at a target in a target-shooting game uses many parts of the body—shoulders, arms, hands, and fingertips—making it not only a fun game but also a form of rehabilitation.
The scoring adds a competitive element, and it’s great that spectators can join in by clapping, cheering, or helping to keep score.
Presenting certificates or small prizes to high scorers can further enhance their sense of achievement.
Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas together.
Snack buffet
One of the things that adds sparkle to Christmas is sweets, especially cakes.
This time, we’d like to introduce a “snack buffet” that will make your Christmas party fun and delicious.
Of course, what you’ll need to prepare are sweets—but why not enjoy the preparations together with the participants? Shopping for ingredients, making the treats, plating them, and, not to be forgotten, the fun of taste-testing.
In addition to cakes, you can tailor the spread to participants’ preferences by offering zenzai (sweet red bean soup), or easy-to-eat items like jelly and pudding to create an even more festive atmosphere.
Choosing “Which one should I have?” is one of the joys of a snack buffet.
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and delicious Christmas together.
Bingo game
Bingo is a classic game that everyone can enjoy together—and with prizes to win, it’s sure to encourage enthusiastic participation even in care facilities.
The simple rules make it easy for seniors to join, and it’s also great because it requires minimal preparation.
Choosing prizes that match the Christmas party theme can help make the event more memorable.
However, be careful not to let the excitement get out of hand, as participants might miss the numbers being called; proceed with attention while running the game.
A gift of an original song
At Christmas, many nursing homes and day service centers probably put on various performances.
This time, I’d like to suggest the idea of giving an original song as a gift.
How about having all staff members put the feelings they don’t usually express into lyrics? Even staff who don’t usually sing will practice for this day, creating a sense of unity.
And by turning it into a slideshow and presenting it as a gift, you can convey many sentiments along with memories, making it a Christmas event that overflows not only with fun but also with moving, heartfelt moments.
Gesture Game
A gesture game is a wonderful idea to liven up a Christmas party.
The fun of expressing without words can be fully enjoyed by older adults as well.
Communicating through hand and body movements creates lively, smile-filled moments.
For example, choosing familiar themes like slurping ramen or performing a sumo shiko stomp is recommended.
The time spent thinking together naturally sparks conversations and leads to more communication.
It will also deepen interactions among older adults and is sure to become a cherished memory.
Balloon Santa Claus Game
Let us introduce a Christmas recreation that’s sure to be a hit, with cheers and shouts of support flying everywhere! This is a game where you attach a weight to a decorated balloon and toss it into baskets marked with different point values.
It’s cute to decorate the balloons with Christmas motifs like Santa Claus or reindeer.
For the weight, try using something like a balled-up piece of duct tape.
The game materials are easy to make, and participants can even play while seated.
Have fun together and liven up your Christmas party!
chorus
Speaking of Christmas, it’s also an event strongly associated with choirs—like scenes of hymns being sung in church.
In keeping with that image, how about giving the gift of a Christmas song choral performance? Many Christmas songs are classics for choir, so there are plenty of options to choose from—that’s another plus.
Staff members could perform, or you could set it up so that participants can join in easily; either way, it’s likely to be a hit.
