Christmas is here and is an important time in care. For many residents, Christmas can be a lonely time as many families may live far away, have limited visits or loved ones may no longer be around. As a ‘family driven’ season, it is important for care homes to create festive and thoughtful environments for residents’ comfort and enjoyment.

Food plays a huge role at Christmas and residents want something more than their everyday meals and little changes can have a big impact. A simple soup can be elevated with some truffle oil or croutons. Soups are great as they can be easily fortified by adding cream and can be used for IDDSI residents too.

The smell of cooking can be as important as the meal itself, the smell of freshly baked bread or Christmas pudding can trigger memories and create a warm atmosphere. This links back to the BDA Care Home Digest and the importance of building an environment around food. It is more than just eating but the whole experience around it. The style of service can also impact this. Thoughtful considerations can go a long way like serving as tray bakes or individual ramekins, pairing meals with drinks like alcohol free prosecco or fresh lemonade can make meals feel more dignified and special. Another good tip is to carve Christmas meats in front of residents as it can stimulate appetite and add some entertainment to the meal.

Looking beyond the dining room, incorporating the day with activities keeps spirits up as well as a sense of togetherness.

Some activities include;

Christmas karaoke session

Classic Christmas movies

Make mince pies

Christmas quiz

Secret Santa

At Christmas, it’s often the small, thoughtful touches that matter most. By focusing on food, atmosphere and shared experiences, care homes can help ensure residents feel valued, included and truly celebrated during the festive season.