07 December 2021
By Charlotte Murphy
Christmas is a magical time of the year. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself, plan lots of fun activities, and spend quality time with your family and friends. However, the festive period can also be extremely busy and expensive. If you want to escape the crowds, then here are some fun indoor activities that you can enjoy with your loved ones this Christmas.
1. Decorate the Christmas tree
Putting up the Christmas tree is a popular tradition that will get you in the Christmas spirit and make your home look festive. You and your loved one can have lots of fun decorating your Christmas tree with baubles, fairy lights, ornaments, and tinsel.
If you want to make your Christmas tree even more special, then you can have custom decorations made with photos of your family.
2. Make Christmas cards
Sending Christmas cards is another festive tradition that most people enjoy. Instead of buying cards from a shop this year, why not get crafty and make your own Christmas cards at home?
Making Christmas cards is a fun activity that you and your loved one can do together and it is usually a lot cheaper than buying them. You can also personalise your handmade Christmas cards to make them more meaningful. Take a look at this article by Good Housekeeping for 50 homemade Christmas card ideas to help get you started.
3. Listen to Christmas songs
Listening to Christmas songs is a great way to relax and get in the festive spirit. Some of the most popular Christmas songs include Last Christmas, Santa Baby, White Christmas, and Merry Christmas Everyone. Make a classic Christmas playlist and listen to it while you decorate your home or do other festive activities.
Listening to Christmas music can also help elderly family members relive happy festive memories, especially if they have a condition like dementia. Helping Hands explain how “music can comfort people with dementia and help bring back treasured memories.” Listening to classic Christmas songs has the power to unlock memories from your elderly loved one’s childhood and lift their mood this festive season.
4. Bake festive treats
Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in some tasty treats. Baking is a fun and relaxing activity that you can do with your loved ones this festive season. Christmas cookies, gingerbread, and cupcakes are all simple recipes that you can try baking this festive season. Check out the BBC Good Food website for more ideas and inspiration.
5. Watch festive films
Sitting down to watch festive films is a great way to relax and lift your spirits on the run-up to Christmas. There are loads of classic Christmas films to choose from such as:
- Home Alone
- Jingle All the Way
- The Snowman
- Miracle on 34th Street
- A Muppet’s Christmas Carol
- Santa Claus
- Elf
There is something nostalgic and heart-warming about watching classic Christmas films. Most popular festive films are shown on television around Christmas, or you can watch them using a streaming app like Netflix.
6. Play board games
It wouldn’t be Christmas without playing fun family board games like Monopoly, Cluedo, or Scrabble. Festive games will keep you and your loved ones entertained this Christmas and bring you closer together. Playing classic board games can also be a great way to get elderly relatives involved in the festivities.
There has been a lot of research on the benefits of playing board games for the elderly. According to happierhuman.com: “Board games help prevent common diseases like Alzheimer’s by keeping their brains functioning and active”. They also encourage social interaction and help to prevent loneliness in elderly adults.
7. Read a Christmas story
Reading festive stories is a fun activity that will get the whole family excited about Christmas. Try reading festive tales like The Snowman, The Jolly Christmas Postman, and A Christmas Carol. Reading Christmas stories with your loved ones will lift your spirits and encourage you to spend quality time together this festive season.
You can still have a very fun and merry countdown to Christmas without leaving the house or being surrounded by crowds of people. These indoor activities will get you in the Christmas spirit and help you spend quality time with your loved ones this festive season.
