This winter, go beyond the tradition of celebrating Christmas in July
In Australia, it has become a tradition to embrace the holiday spirit during the winter season by recreating the festive ambience of a traditional Northern Hemisphere winter.
How can you enjoy winter, and what can you do when the days are short and it’s cold outside?
This was one of the questions the ACH Group Social Team asked when planning July events for the residential care home community.
If you’re seeking ideas for your family or community group, you might find these suggestions inspiring.
Create a cosy corner
Why not create a cosy corner where the sensory experience of winter comes alive?
Think about including some of the following:
- Battery operated candles, dim lighting, fairy lights
- Photos of winter landscape scenes to prompt discussion
- Spice jars to smell – nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves
- Crackling fireplace sounds – you can search for fireplace crackling sound videos on YouTube
- Extra soft blankets and cushions
- Enjoy some hot chocolate and marshmallows
Get to know what people like about winter
Why not engage in a conversation about winter and snow, and discover something new about people and their experiences?
Here are some conversation starters:
- Have you ever been to a snowy place?
- Have you ever lived in a cold climate and snow?
- How long did you stay there?
- Did you ski or snowboard?
- Who went with you ?
- Did you make a snowman?
- Did you throw snowballs?
- What sort of clothing did you wear – did your mum or relative knit it?
- Do you prefer the warm or the cold?
Plan a festive lunch
There are many ways to indulge if you plan to celebrate Christmas in July. Here are some recipes to consider.
Be inspired by the menu that our Hospitality Team crafted for residents to enjoy:
Main course
- Roasted ham and turkey
- Roast potatoes and pumpkin
- Broccoli au gratin
Dessert
- Steamed fruit pudding with brandy custard
In addition to the traditional dishes, why not explore food from other cultures? This article features 15 Christmas dishes from around the world.
Set the scene and get creative!
Why not prepare winter activity boxes, just like the Social Team prepared for residents?
The activity boxes can include items such as snowflake window decals, hanging snowflakes, blue and white snowflake balloons, a large ‘Frosty the Snowman door covering’ to use for photos and room decoration, and a snow-making kit.
Winter activities you can try at home
From paper snowflakes to homemade snow
Here’s our favourite templates to inspire you:
Indoor snowball fight
Dreaming of snow and fun? We found a way you can make a fun snowball fight game that’s mess-free and fun for the whole family.
Wonderful fun with Winter Wonderland
Joyful conversations, delicious food, fizzy snow, indoor snowball fights, and more!
Flick through the photos from Winter Wonderland 2023 and enjoy the atmosphere created by the residents and their families, the residential social team, and volunteers, with some of the ACH Group board members and executive leaders joining in the fun.
A winter wonderland provides the perfect backdrop for spending quality time with your friends and loved ones.
Engaging in crafts and activities during this season allows for creativity and bonding whilst appreciating the cosiness and warmth of home.
Visit our blog for more inspiration and tips on healthy ageing, lifestyle, community news and more.
