Christmas is around the corner, and now is the time to prepare for the festive season. Your carers and support workers can assist you in enjoying the celebrations by helping you get into the Christmas spirit at home, buy gifts for loved ones, and attend Christmas events in your area.
From decorating your house and making Christmas cards to going to carols events or Christmas window displays, there are plenty of activities and events that make Christmas special – and with the help of a dedicated and caring support worker, you can experience it all.
We have compiled a list of all the fun and festive things you can do with your support worker in the lead-up to Christmas and to celebrate on the day.
Preparing for Christmas with your support workers
Do you need help getting ready for Christmas? Your support worker can assist you with a range of activities in the lead-up to the big day. It’s a fun and festive way to spend your time together.
1. Shop for Christmas gifts
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Exchanging gifts with family and friends is one of the best parts of the Christmas season. However, it does mean a lot of shopping, which can be challenging for older people or those living with a disability. Fortunately, support workers are able to help with this aspect of preparing for Christmas. They can arrange transport to shopping centres and high streets and can assist elderly people in navigating these often busy spaces. For people who don’t enjoy crowds, they can help to find less overwhelming environments to shop in.
A support worker provides the perfect sounding board for discussing gift ideas and choosing the best present for everyone in your life – from the new baby in the family to your oldest friend. Plus, they are uniquely equipped to provide gift ideas for elderly loved ones. They can also help you find the ideal present for people in your life with autism, back pain, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
2. Decorate the home
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Do you love putting up a Christmas tree, laying out a nativity scene, or hanging mistletoe in your home? Christmas decorations are a beautiful and fun tradition; there’s no reason you can’t have a festive-looking home when you’re older. Your support worker can help you to get those decorations out of the attic or garage, set up your tree, and hang your ornaments around the home.
Using ladders and tools can be dangerous when you are elderly, or have a disability, and people experiencing conditions such as arthritis may find it difficult to do fiddly tasks like putting baubles on the tree. Your support worker can assist with all these tasks, so your home looks as celebratory as ever!
3. Take a festive photo
Taking a special annual photo during the festive season is a fun tradition that you may find more difficult to continue as you get older. However, a support worker can assist you in making sure this Christmas ritual continues. Whether you like to dress up in Christmas jumpers, pose with your decorated tree, or even include your pets in festive-themed outfits, your support worker can help to make it happen! Plus, they can assist you in getting the photos printed at a local photo shop and help you buy frames.
4. Make a Christmas card
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Another fun idea to do with your festive-themed photo is to make custom Christmas cards to send out to family and friends. Especially if you have loved ones that are geographically spread out around the country or the world, or if you have a lot of people who you don’t get to catch up with often, a yearly Christmas card can be a great way to share news and send well wishes.
Some people like to use their Christmas cards to update loved ones on everything that has been happening that year – like births in the family, major milestones, and exciting moments. Use your own photo for the cards or pick a different Christmas image.
5. Bake Christmas treats
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Gingerbread men and sugar cookies are delicious Christmas treats that are tasty snacks throughout December. They’re also good to have ready for any holiday visitors that drop in during this time of year. Baking is a fun activity that can be done with your support worker, who can assist you with any tasks you find more difficult and can help you to shop for the ingredients as needed.
6. Do Christmas craft activities
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Making your own Christmas decorations is a fun craft activity to do in preparation for Christmas day. It’s easy to make decorations using simple craft supplies from your local $2 shop, or using items from around the home, like used egg cartons. Your support worker can help set you up with a craft station and supplies and even find ideas and inspiration for you in library books or online.
7. Plan a Christmas outfit
Wearing something special on Christmas day is a nice way to feel special and festive. Whether you have a tradition of wearing a funny knitted reindeer jumper, or you like to wear your best clothes for Christmas lunch, a support worker can help you find the perfect outfit and plan it in advance, so you have one less thing to think about on the big day. Plus, if your outfit needs dry cleaning or washing, they can also arrange this for you ahead of time.
8. Complete Christmas errands
At such a busy time of year, there is always a lot to do! Older people might feel overwhelmed with the number of extra activities and errands that need to be completed around Christmas time, but a support worker can help to make the process easy. From buying festive food to posting your Christmas cards, Christmas errands can be completed well ahead of the big day with the help of an extra pair of hands.
9. Christmas events to attend with your support worker
Christmas is a time of year when there is a lot going on if you want to get out and about and enjoy the festive spirit! Whether you’re looking for a relaxed Christmas meal, an evening of carols, or you want to host a party at home, your support worker can help you with transport, organisation, and making sure things run smoothly.
10. Christmas carols
Christmas carols are a fantastic tradition, and if you celebrate Christmas then you probably know many of these songs by heart! You can find carol’s performances all over the country, from large-scale events that are televised to smaller, local concerts.
In Sydney, Carols in the Domain features some of Australia’s biggest stars, including Todd McKenney, Samantha Jade and Leo Sayer, plus the favourite children’s entertainers The Wiggles. In Melbourne, Carols by Candlelight is a Christmas Eve event at the Sidney Meter Music Bowl that raises money for Vision Australia. Both events offer companion card seating and wheelchair access if required.
If you are looking for a smaller community event, check out your local council website, your rotary club, and other community centres for details. There are many carol nights in the lead-up to Christmas hosted in towns and suburbs all over Australia. Your support worker can help you to find an event that works for you.
11. Christmas night markets
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Christmas night markets are a European tradition that has taken off in Australia in recent years. They provide a great opportunity for the community to come together and for people to buy locally made, home-crafted gifts for loved ones instead of buying from large chain stores. Night markets are commonly held in local parks and gardens, and feature stalls from small makers selling beautiful objects, as well as food and drink for the festive season.
12. Window displays
Christmas window displays are a traditional activity that is free and fun to enjoy at any age. The famous Myer Christmas windows feature an annual display of moving puppets that depict a Christmas-themed tale. You can visit the windows during a day out in the city with your support worker.
13. Meet Santa Clause
Meeting Santa Clause is a favourite activity for children. If you have grandchildren and would love to treat them to this festive experience, your support worker can assist you in visiting a shopping centre or other location where Santa is available and share the unforgettable memories of watching them sit on Santa’s knee and tell him their Christmas wish list.
14. Christmas lunch
Christmas lunch is traditionally a big and festive meal shared with friends and family, but sometimes our loved ones are not nearby or available on the day. Instead, why not find somewhere to go out for lunch and enjoy a festive meal with your support worker? Many restaurants offer special meals on Christmas day, including festive favourites like roast ham, turkey, seafood, and Christmas pudding. There’s a Christmas lunch special to suit every budget and taste, so even if you like some non-traditional Christmas fare, you will be sure to find a great lunch option.
15. Community get-togethers
Christmas is a time for spending time with others, and your local community is likely to have some special events for the festive season. Get in touch with your local neighbourhood house, council, or other community organisations to see what festive catch-ups and activities you may like to take part in. From craft workshops to Christmas meals to informal Kris Kringle present exchanges, a community Christmas event is the perfect way to spend some time with people and make new friends in your local area. Your support worker can assist you in finding events nearby, and they can help with transport and assistance on the day.
16. Host a Christmas party
Hosting a Christmas party is a lovely tradition. There is nothing more gratifying than having your home filled with loved ones enjoying food, presents and good company. But hosting a party is a big undertaking, particularly for older people who may not have the energy and mobility that they once did.
Support workers can assist with all aspects of party planning and hosting to ensure your Christmas party is a success. They can help you plan a menu of Christmas food, shop for ingredients, pick up decorations, invite loved ones, clean the home before the party, set your Christmas table, and cook a Christmas feast!
Especially if you are experiencing pain, tiredness, or difficulty with completing tasks due to stiffness and soreness, a support worker is perfect to make sure you can still enjoy hosting a party in your own home. You can arrange for a support worker to help you in the lead up to the event, or to be in your home during the party to provide extra assistance as well.
How Homage can help
The Care Pros at Homage can offer a range of services to make the Christmas season fun and stress-free for older people and people living with a disability.
Our companionship support service is designed to allow people who require support to set their own agenda and make plans for how they want to spend their day. Support workers can provide conversation, help with social outings, and attend events. Companionship support promotes better mental health, can support physical health and well-being, and gives family members the assurance their loved ones have activities to keep them interested and stimulated. During Christmas, when older people can feel particularly lonely and isolated, companions offer an invaluable connection and a way to feel included in the festivities.
If you’re looking for support to enjoy Christmas and all the fun, festive events and activities on offer, make sure you consider working with a support worker. They can make sure you can celebrate with all the seasonal activities you love to do, and help you prepare for Christmas day by assisting with gift buying, decorating and more.
