by Karen Chaffee

Created on: November 27, 2009

Remember the Cyndi Lauper song, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? When planning themes for Christmas parties for seniors, that is the most important thing to keep in mind, for like the girls in Lauper's song, Seniors just wanna have fun. Other important things to factor in are the abilities, and likes and dislikes of your senior's group.

-Christmas Parties for Seniors - Caroling Theme

Plan a caroling party. Seniors can dress in costumes from days of old or come as is. For large groups, divide the number of carolers accordingly. The caroling can be done door to door outside, or using the same principal, from door to door in a hospital, a home for veterans, or a facility for the elderly.

Another form of the caroling theme ... gather your seniors for good food, great conversation, and singing carols together as a group.

Plan a social gathering for after the caroling. This can consist of a sit-down dinner, or simply of traditional Christmas treats and drinks of choice, or seniors can gather at restaurant.

-Christmas Parties for Seniors - Holiday Ball Theme

For senior groups that love to dance, why not a holiday ball? Dress can be formal or casual, and the music can be live or provided by a DJ. Foods can be simple but traditional Christmas fare: punch and warm drinks, canapes, sweets, a veggie and dip tray. Use beautiful, classic decorations such as pine garlands and clear Christmas lights, large red and green bows, a decorated tree, poinsettias, and candles.

-Christmas Parties for Seniors - Games or Movies Themes

Set up a buffet of drinks and treats. Deck the halls with traditional holiday things of beauty, and set up a variety of "game stations." The stations consist of tables, each featuring a different board or card game. Seniors can rotate from one station to the next and enjoy playing a variety of games.

Need an alternative? Plan a movie party. There are so many great Christmas movies available now on DVD.

-Christmas Parties for Seniors - Tree Decorating Party

Why not gather to decorate the tree in your senior center? Provide egg-nog, punch, coffee, tea, and lots of finger foods, and decorate the tree for your group's meeting place. Holiday music playing in the background keeps the atmosphere fun.

-Christmas Parties for Seniors - Gifts for Those In Need Theme

Gather your seniors together on a Saturday afternoon to prepare boxes of food, make out Christmas cards, or wrap gifts for the needy. These can be items for children, shut-ins, shelters, veteran's homes ... the list of possibilities is endless.

-5 Miscellaneous Suggestions:

1. Crafts party
2. Scavenger hunt for secret Santa gifts with dinner afterward
3. Charades
4. Put on a Christmas play
5. Roving party - drinks and canapes at one home, main course at another, dessert at a third

-The Wrap-up

Again, seniors love having fun, socializing, and doing wonderful things for others, so let your imagination and the above suggestions guide you as plan great theme parties for senior groups.

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