Holidays | ElderSong Activity Ideas

LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK – January Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 01:41:17 +0000

The old year is coming to a close, and it will soon be time to celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1. The first month of the year, January, bears the name of the Roman god Janus. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking forward and the other backward. The face of Janus is […]

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SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

ElderSong — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:33:33 +0000

A familiar holiday song proclaims, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” But suppose the lyric were changed to “sound a lot like Christmas”? What would that mean to you? What sounds do you associate with the holiday season? Is it the pitter-patter of little feet, a hearty rendition of “ho-ho-ho,” the soothing chime […]

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GIVE THANKS

ElderSong — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:08:02 +0000

Ripened grain crops, flavorful berry patches, luscious fruit orchards, hardy vegetable gardens, mature grape vineyards – the fall harvest season is well underway. The bounties of the harvest bring a cornucopia of blessings, culminating with a national day of Thanksgiving in late November. Celebrate autumn and inspire grateful hearts with a few of the activities […]

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CHOCOLATE LOVE – February Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:00:28 +0000

Just when you’ve finished off the last morsel of Christmas fudge, out come the Valentine truffles – rich, decadent, mouth-watering chocolates. The sweet taste of chocolate appeals to both kids and adults, making it a popular gift for many occasions. February is a great month to celebrate the love of chocolate with your group. Here […]

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DECEMBER, THE TWELFTH MONTH

ElderSong — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:00:34 +0000

How time flies! We’ll soon be entering the twelfth and last month of the year. Winter officially arrives during December, just as the holiday season is in full swing. The month is associated with family gatherings, special meals, festive music, and gift-giving – the perfect combination for creating lasting memories. Engage your group of older […]

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AUTUMN LEAVES

ElderSong — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:56:52 +0000

Autumn has arrived, and the trees are ready to put on their annual show. From maple to ash, oak, beech, poplar, birch, and hickory – the landscape is about to become draped in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange. “Leaf peepers” will hit the road in search of the blazing colors of fall foliage. […]

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NEW YORK – A TRIP TO THE BIG APPLE – January Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:09:46 +0000

It’s December 31, and the countdown to midnight has begun. A very large crowd has gathered in Times Square to watch the lowering of the crystal ball. Shouts erupt and confetti fills the air. Welcome to New Year’s Eve in New York City! The bustling city is a favorite tourist destination in any season. What […]

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CHRISTMASTIME – ‘TIS THE SEASON

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:11:29 +0000

The Christmas season is a great time for making memories. Etched in the minds and hearts of many older adults are childhood images of an old-fashioned Christmas – homespun, simple, uncomplicated. Although the holiday has changed a bit over the years, some things remain the same: baking sugar cookies using Grandma’s favorite recipe, tromping through […]

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WINTER WARMTH – January Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:38 +0000

Old Man Winter has officially arrived. In many parts of the country, the winter landscape is full of snow, ice, and sleet. (Remember that “big” snow from your childhood?) Many people are thinking about ways to stay warm and toasty during the season. Warm up the winter – and rekindle a few cold-weather memories – […]

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HOLIDAY MUSIC MEMORIES

ElderSong — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:00:44 +0000

“Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night.” Listen carefully, and you’ll soon hear the sounds of the season. Many families have a tradition of listening to holiday music. Music enriches the meaning of the holiday in many ways. What traditional songs do you enjoy? What special memories do they evoke? Here are some suggestions to rekindle […]

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CHRISTMAS NOSTALGIA

ElderSong — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:00:13 +0000

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” just like the song says. Time to pull out some of your holiday music. Do you have a favorite carol or hymn? What do you think about when you hear the song? Many older adults can name one or two yuletide tunes that conjure up memories of […]

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HOLIDAY NOSTALGIA

ElderSong — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:00:49 +0000

The holiday season is often a flurry of activities – from shopping and baking to decorating and entertaining. Among older adults there is often a genuine yearning to return to simpler times when a plain, old-fashioned Christmas was the order of the day. What images come to mind when you think of Christmases of yesteryear […]

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ELECTION DAY

ElderSong — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:00:48 +0000

On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every four years, Americans head to the polls to elect the president of the United States. As Election Day nears, voters ponder whom to choose for the nation’s highest political office. Older adults have participated in many presidential elections, witnessing both landslides and defeats. This […]

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VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION – February Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:16 +0000

Got the mid-winter blues? Liven up the season with some special activities for Valentine’s Day. The day isn’t just for sweethearts. You can use the occasion of St. Valentine’s Day to reflect on love and friendship among family and friends. Although the conventional gifts are cards, candy, and flowers, you can show appreciation for the […]

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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MEMORIES

ElderSong — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:00:35 +0000

Which holiday memories hold a special place in your heart? Listening to “White Christmas” on the kitchen radio, baking a batch of Christmas cookies with your children, or trekking through the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree? The holiday season is a time to welcome family and friends and share in some traditions, […]

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GRANDPARENTS

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:00:21 +0000

Older adults have fulfilled many roles in life. Among the most cherished is that of grandparent. Grandparents are important members of our families and communities. They provide extended family support and encouragement and a link to family history, culture, and traditions. The bond between grandparent/grandchild creates a lifetime of memories. Many senior adults are now […]

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FAMILY FOLKLORE – February Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 12:00:02 +0000

Dad’s fishing stories, Mom’s special Thanksgiving recipes, Aunt Jane’s memory quilts, Uncle Bob’s silly songs, Grandma’s home cures, Great-grandmother’s heirloom jewelry. What kinds of folklore traditions are unique to your family? Family folklore includes family stories and tales, traditions or customs, special foods, sayings or expressions, heirlooms and family treasures, folk arts and crafts, songs, […]

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GIFT-GIVING SEASON

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 12:00:08 +0000

Webster’s defines the word gift as something given voluntarily and without compensation. Set a brightly wrapped Christmas gift on a table for your group to view. Ask: What makes a wrapped present a true gift? Did they mention that true gifts should come from the heart? Talk about choosing the ideal or “perfect” gift. Ask your […]

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LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP – February Activity Ideas

ElderSong — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 12:00:46 +0000

February gives you a wonderful opportunity to talk about love and friendship and to plan some endearing activities for your group. Each February we set aside a day to express our appreciation of the special people in our lives: St. Valentine’s Day. On this occasion, people of all ages exchange tokens of love. For a […]

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