In our humble opinion here at Assisting Hands, the holiday season is upon us! To us, this is the season of warm wishes as the weather gets colder. It is the season of gratitude and appreciation for all that we have and hold dear. It is the season of being thankful in our hearts and also giving thanks out loud to our world!
We all have some adjusting to do as we figure out how to appreciate the holidays differently this year. We may not be able to follow all of our old traditions to a tee. However, instead of dwelling on what we can’t do, let’s think about what we can do!
Here are five 100% safe activity ideas you can do no matter how your plans have changed this year!
There is something special about capturing your thoughts with good old-fashioned pen and paper. You have so many special people who care about you and support you, why not memorialize how grateful you are for them on something they can hold in their hands and pull out and treasure for years to come? Chances are you will feel just as good writing it as they will receiving it.
2. Drop off treats or have treats delivered.
Here at Assisting Hands, we believe a kind word or action is just as valuable as a gift. However, if you are in the giving mood, everyone loves goodies to eat around Thanksgiving! Especially if your loved one doesn’t have any big eating plans, why not drop something off at their front door? Or, if you are too far away, why not have a delivery service drop something off, like a pie from a local bakery? If you really want to go all out, many restaurants are also delivering full Thanksgiving dinners!
This is also a great way to build a strong relationship with your caregiver as they can help cook meals, drop off treats or just spend time together, all included within our home care services.
3. Watch the Virtual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Unless you are from New York City, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade doesn’t have to be very different for you this year! You can still watch the event live on Thanksgiving Day, you just won’t see large crowds gathered.
The traditional event will be held on TV only, not on the streets of Manhattan, but it sounds like it will still be an entertaining spectacle for everyone accustomed to watching at home anyway! You can find more information here:
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Link
We all know by now what an amazing tool video calls can be! It can be truly magical to be able to see your loved ones while you chat. It gives a whole new connection to speaking when we are apart. To be able to really see someone, with all of their expressions, even when you can’t be with them, is a blessing of our day and age!
Even still, if video calls are not an option for some seniors who may not have computers or smartphones, never underestimate the power of a phone call! Talking on the phone can be an important way to bond as well.
One great way to connect with your loved ones, whether it is via video chat or regular ol’ phone chat, is to share an experience to make you feel closer together. Do you have a tradition that you could share from afar? Are you both watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? (#3) Did you send your loved one a pie and keep a pie for yourself so you eat a slice together over the phone? (#2) Or maybe you could keep it simple with a shared toast of apple cider (or apple juice!) Whatever the treat or activity, you have something you can do together.
5. Write a list of what you are thankful for.
Did you know that there have been studies that show that writing a list of things that you are thankful for can have actual health benefits? Different studies have reported better sleep, more energy, and even lower risk of heart disease in individuals who wrote down their blessings every day.
Counting your blessings is a beautiful tradition for this time of year that we can take with us into our everyday lives. Writing a list can show you how blessed you are and solidify the idea in your mind!
Around this time of year, some families choose to share what they are thankful for around the dinner table. Whether you share what you are thankful for with your family in person, with your loved ones over the phone, or just as a reminder to yourself, be sure to be thankful this year, even when faced with adversity!
Thank You to Our Caregivers!
Here at Assisting Hands we are thankful for you! We are thankful for our compassionate caregivers, our amazing clients, and everyone in our Assisting Hands Family. Thank you so much for being a part of our journey…and please don’t forget to enjoy your bountiful harvest!
