Christmas Party Ideas for Seniors: Planning a Holiday Event for Senior Living Communities

A Christmas party for seniors works best when it’s built around the people in the room, not around a generic holiday checklist. Some residents will want to sing every carol. Some will want a good seat, a cup of coffee and a chance to watch. Some will have family visiting and want a photo they can keep. Plenty of them will be ready to head back to their rooms after an hour and a half.

This guide is for activity directors, life enrichment teams and family councils at senior living and assisted living communities, as well as anyone hosting a holiday party for older relatives or a senior center. It covers seated games, music, photo keepsakes, simple crafts and the facility details worth checking first.

Plan around energy, mobility and the clock

The biggest difference between a party for seniors and any other holiday party is pacing. A few things to think about before you pick a single activity:

• Time of day: early to mid afternoon tends to work well, after lunch and before dinner.
• Length: 90 minutes to two hours is plenty for most groups. You can always keep music going for anyone who wants to stay.
• Seating first: plan the room so every activity can be enjoyed from a chair. Leave wide aisles for wheelchairs and walkers.
• Sound: keep music at a level where people can still talk, and seat residents with hearing aids away from the speakers.
• Lighting: bright, even light makes cards, crafts and faces easier to see.

For more on planning events for guests with different needs, see our accessible event planning guide.

Seated games that get the whole room involved

Games are where a senior holiday party comes alive. The best ones are easy to follow, can be played sitting down and give everyone a reason to cheer for a neighbor.

• Video Bingo: bright, easy-to-join bingo on a screen. It’s a familiar favorite, and the big display is easier to follow than paper cards.
• Familiar Feud Game Show: family-feud style competition that gets everyone laughing and cheering. Make teams by floor or by table.
• Money Wheel: a play-money prize wheel and table for up to 10 players. A spin of the wheel brings a crowd.
• Video Horse Racing: play-money race tickets and race videos. Residents pick a horse and cheer it home.

All of our casino-style games are play money only and purely for fun. See our casino game rentals and interactive game rentals for more.

Music: carols, swing and a microphone

Music is often the part residents talk about for weeks. You have a few ways to bring it in:

• Karaoke: perfect for a carol sing-along. Print large-type lyric sheets for anyone who’d rather read along.
• DJ: music for the party, with requests from the residents.
• P.A. System for Events: if a staff member, chaplain or family member will lead carols or say a few words, a microphone helps everyone hear.
• Live music: the Saints of Swing Band and The Bronx Express Band are both on our live entertainment page. Ask us about each band’s style and setup for your room.

Photo keepsakes for residents and families

A photo from the holiday party is often the thing a resident keeps on their nightstand or sends to family. These options give everyone something to take home:

• Snowflake Photo Ornaments: a photo ornament residents can hang on their own tree or give to a grandchild. See snowflake photo ornaments.
• Photo Snap Lab: on-site photo printing with customizable text and themes. Add your community’s name and the year.
• Open Air Photo Booth: a kiosk-style booth with props and backdrops. Ask us about the setup if residents will use wheelchairs.
• Caricaturist: take-home caricatures drawn on the spot, and a fun one for couples.

Crafts with just a few steps

Crafts work well when they’re short, can be done at a table and still look good if hands aren’t as steady as they used to be. These three are good fits:

• Ornament Making: a hands-on ornament station. Decorate one, hang it on the tree.
• Sun Catchers: guests paint bright designs that look great in a sunny window.
• Cookie Art: a cookie decorating station. Check with your dining and nursing staff about diets, such as diabetic or low-sugar plans, before you add this one.

Have a staff member or volunteer at each craft table to help with small pieces. Our arts and crafts rentals list every station, and our holiday make-and-take guide compares them.

Bring the generations together

Many communities invite families to the holiday party, and that can be the best part of the day. Grandkids and grandparents can do the same activity side by side:

• Make an ornament together at the same table.
• Play bingo as a team, with a grandchild marking the card.
• Take one photo with everyone in it, and print a copy for the resident.
• Sing carols together on karaoke. Kids often know more of the words than you’d expect.

Facility checks before you book

• Room size and layout, plus where tables and chairs will go. Tables and chairs are arranged with your order.
• Doors and the route from the loading area to the room, including any elevators.
• Outlets for video bingo, music and photo stations.
• Your schedule: meal times, medication rounds and shift changes, so the party doesn’t collide with them.
• Vendor rules: if your community has requirements for outside vendors, send them with your quote request so we can review them together.

Our holiday venue walkthrough checklist covers these and more.

A sample 90-minute holiday party

About Party Pros East Coast

We’re a family-owned company based in Bridgeport, PA, and our owners bring more than 60 years of combined experience. We serve Philadelphia and PA, NJ, DE, MD and NY, plus 15 East Coast states from Maine to Florida. For more holiday ideas, see our Philadelphia Christmas party rentals and holiday party rentals near King of Prussia.