December activities for assisted living

December is the busiest month on most activity calendars. This list gives you thirty ideas, grouped by week, plus tips for running each one with a mixed group. Mix big events with short, familiar sessions so nobody gets worn out.

Week 1: Getting into the season

1. Holiday planning circle. Ask residents which events they want this month and write them on the calendar together.
2. Paper snowflakes. Pre-fold the paper and draw cut lines; offer pre-cut shapes to decorate for anyone who prefers not to use scissors.
3. Holiday movie matinee. Turn captions on and serve snacks that fit each resident's diet order.
4. Winter word search. Print a large-print puzzle with seasonal words from the word search maker.
5. Family ornament afternoon. Families and residents decorate shatterproof ornaments together.
6. Carol sing-along. Hand out large-print song sheets and let residents pick the next song.
7. Lights and candles talk. Invite residents to share how their families marked the season, from Hanukkah candles to window lights.

Week 2: Crafts and kindness

1. Holiday card writing. Write cards for families, staff or a local school. Large-print card templates help.
2. Seated stretch to holiday music. Gentle seated stretches set to soft seasonal music, led by trained staff.
3. Dreidel game. Invite a resident or family member to teach it, using large chips for counters.
4. Cookie decorating. Soft cookies and frosting; check diet orders first and offer a paper version as an option.
5. Christmas trivia hour. Play in table teams and accept close answers.
6. Wreath making. Ribbon, faux greenery and a wire frame make a calm hands-on project.
7. Puzzle table day. Set out sudoku and crossword sheets at a few levels so everyone finds a fit.

Week 3: Music and community

1. Choir or school concert. Invite a local choir or school group for a short daytime set.
2. Hot cocoa social. A warm drink, a simple topping bar and good conversation.
3. Holiday charades. Use large picture or word cards; teams act out snowmen, sleigh rides and gift wrapping.
4. Gift wrapping help desk. Residents wrap gifts for family with staff help and pre-cut paper.
5. Guess the carol. Hum or play the first few notes and let tables guess.
6. Holiday stories read aloud. A short classic story, read in parts by volunteers.
7. Winter solstice evening. Gather by LED candlelight for stories on the shortest day of the year.

Week 4: Celebrate and wind down

1. Holiday bingo. Swap numbers for pictures: a star, a stocking, a candle, a snowman.
2. Window decorating. Gel clings and paper snowflakes brighten common areas.
3. Christmas Eve sing-along. Keep it short and familiar.
4. Christmas Day open house. A festive meal, family visits and a quiet room for anyone who wants a break.
5. Kwanzaa sharing. Invite families to share its traditions and principles.
6. Thank-you notes. Residents write short notes to staff and volunteers.
7. Year in photos. Show a slideshow of the community's best moments this year.
8. Noon Year's Eve party. Count down at noon with streamers, sparkling juice and music, so everyone celebrates before evening.
9. Hopes for the new year. Each resident adds a wish to a paper banner.

How to run December smoothly

• Keep most sessions around half an hour and repeat the formats that work.
• Include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and general winter options so everyone has a place.
• Use LED candles and shatterproof decorations, and keep walkways clear.
• Offer a quiet space during big events for residents who want calm.
• Post the calendar early and print a large copy for each floor.

Free tools to use with this list

• Activity calendar builder: lay out the month and print it for the hallway board.
• Daily trivia: a fresh set of questions to read aloud each day.
• Word search maker: type your own seasonal word list and print a large-print puzzle.
• Sudoku and crossword: quiet-table puzzles at several levels.
• Free samples: a ready December program, charades cards and sample puzzle sets.