It’s easy to forget with your family and friends around you as you open presents and all sit down together to eat your Christmas dinner, that there are people out there who are all alone and won’t see another human face all day long. OK, it’s true that we should spare time to help people less fortunate than ourselves all year long, but this year we are challenging each and every one of you to take the Christmas Care Challenge.
Follow even just ONE of our tips to helping the elderly this Christmas and see how the old adage that it is better to give than receive will ring truer than a church bell on Christmas morning.
A Little Extra Goes a Long Way
Buy an extra gift suitable for an elderly person and either give it to an elderly neighbour or take it into one of the charities that collect Christmas presents for the vulnerable elderly. Perhaps a tin of special biscuits could be delivered to a local day centre or take a bottle of sherry to a residential home near you.
Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...
With all this talk of a white Christmas we know it’s going to be cold, but when was there ever a warm Noel? Many elderly people are at risk of serious injury just by stepping out of doors and slippery paths often mean a shortcut to hospital. Clear a neighbour’s path of snow and ice with a bit of shovelling and salting (it’s a great way to keep warm and burn the Christmas calories off). Remember, it doesn’t have to be actually snowing for a path to need de-icing.
When Christmas Shopping is Good for the Soul
It’s easy enough for most of us to get about; we have cars or can easily get on the bus or train to the shops, but what about that elderly neighbour? Knock on their door and suggest they accompany you shopping, so they can get all the festive bits and bobs they require. Bear in mind they might need a little more help than just a lift to the shops; those bags might be heavy.
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree...
Elderly folk climbing on chairs and fiddling with electrical fairy lights is a recipe for disaster – so go and lend a hand! Putting up decorations is fun and something you can do together.... and a little glass of sherry and a mince pie afterwards makes it all worthwhile. Remember to go and take them down again before the 6th of January though.
Boxing Day..... But Early!
Make a little Christmas box hamper complete with homemade mince pies, piece of Christmas cake or pudding, some nice ham, pickles and crackers....And a cracker. Then take it round to your chosen elderly person. It can be embarrassing giving gifts as you might not be sure what the other person would like, but everyone likes a traditional Christmas delicacy to nibble on.
Christmas Is All About the Kids
Many elderly folk don’t see their grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as they would like, some not at all and some don’t have any. A card or homemade Christmas decoration made by a neighbour’s child would not only brighten their day, but the entire festive season everytime they looked at it. Go on, get the glitter out!
Christmas Comes But TWICE a Year!
OK so, you’ve got your plans with your family for the big day itself, but what about Boxing Day or even Christmas Eve? Invite an elderly person round for and early or belated Christmas dinner or lunch and spread the cheer this festive season... and the good news is you get to celebrate twice!
Christmas Dinner is on its Sleigh
Takes hours doesn’t it? All that veg prep and de-frosting the turkey only to be gobbled up in 15 minutes flat, everyone over eats and then sits groaning all the way through the Queen’s speech. Save yourself some calories and drop a lovely hot dinner into a neighbour. Remember to let them know of your kind offer so they don’t go to the trouble themselves.... and let them know it’s on its sleigh....I mean, way (too much sherry already) so they don’t worry that you’ve forgotten them!
Make Sure it is Only Santa that Comes Down the Chimney!
Maybe one of your elderly neighbours is going off to the bosom of their family to enjoy a warm and loving Yuletide. In that case they’ll need someone to keep an eye on their house, turn lights on and off and generally check for frozen pipes and the like... It has to be said that this is one of the busiest times of the year for burglars, so lend a hand and help keep out anyone who isn’t bearing gifts!
The Real Message of Christmas
Of course, you could go the whole hog (perhaps the whole turkey would be more appropriate?) and invite a lonely elderly person to join you this year and share in your family’s special day. Or you could share their day, as there are many elderly charities that could do with some help this time of the year. Now that, is the true message of Christmas.
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