How to Make Festive Celebrations Inclusive in a Care Home

Festive periods can bring joy, reflection, and connection to residents in care homes. A truly meaningful celebration recognises that people come from different cultural, religious, and personal backgrounds.

The aim is to create an environment where all feel included, valued, and respected. This takes thought, preparation, and flexibility, balancing traditional customs with new ideas.

Know the Residents’ Backgrounds

Before any planning begins, staff need to learn about the residents’ traditions, beliefs, and preferences around festive times. This information can be gathered through conversations with residents and their families, questionnaires, or informal group discussions. It is not just about religious festivals, but about personal traditions and treasured memories.

Taking time to understand the range of backgrounds in the care home will help avoid planning an event that excludes or overlooks certain residents. It also allows staff to create moments that truly mean something to each person. For example, a resident who grew up celebrating winter festivals without religious association may enjoy seasonal decorations and music, while another may have strong attachments to specific faith-based customs.

Respecting Different Festive Dates

Not all festivals fall on the same calendar date or have fixed timings. Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Easter are just some examples of celebrations that residents may observe. Some are linked to the lunar calendar, which means the dates shift each year. Recognising this shows respect and lets residents know their culture is valued in the home.

Staff can create a shared calendar showing different festive dates and significant cultural periods for all residents. This calendar can be displayed in communal areas, printed for rooms, and mentioned in regular activities meetings. It helps residents anticipate upcoming events and may prompt conversations between them, building a better sense of community.

Inclusive Decorations

Decorations can set the tone for any celebration, but they need to be accessible and meaningful. All displays should be easy for residents to enjoy, including those with sensory or mobility needs. Decorations should not favour one festive style alone. A more inclusive approach can include:

• A winter tree decorated with symbols from different cultures
• Wall displays showing festival stories or traditions from a range of religions
• Lights and colour themes that match the season but avoid exclusive symbolism unless requested by residents
• Table centrepieces inspired by various customs

When placing decorations, staff should think about safety, ensuring they do not block walkways or create tripping hazards. Using less cluttered, high-contrast colours can help residents with visual impairments.

Food and Drink Choices

Festive meals are often the highlight of celebrations, but dietary requirements must be respected. Some residents may not eat certain foods for religious reasons, and others may have health-related restrictions such as low-salt or low-sugar diets. Creating menus that accommodate everyone allows every resident to take part in mealtimes without feeling excluded.

Work with kitchen staff to prepare dishes from different cultures during festive seasons. For example, cooking traditional dishes from residents’ backgrounds can give them a sense of home and spark memories. When offering new dishes, always explain what they are and allow residents to choose whether to try them.

Music and Entertainment

Music plays a big role in festive celebrations, but picking only one style may leave some people feeling less involved. Include a variety of cultural music in playlists or performances. Local community groups, schools, or cultural organisations may be willing to visit and share traditional music and dances.

Where possible, invite entertainers who understand the diversity within the care home and can adapt their performance. Residents might enjoy:

• Choirs singing songs from different traditions
• Storytellers sharing legends from various cultures
• Dance groups showcasing cultural dances
• Instrumental performances that avoid overly loud or startling sounds

Entertainment should suit the physical and mental health needs of residents, keeping in mind conditions like dementia, hearing loss, or anxiety.

Encouraging Resident Participation

The most meaningful festive environments are those shaped by the people living there. Invite residents to help with planning, decorating, or cooking. Even small contributions, like choosing the colour scheme or picking music for a playlist, can make residents feel more involved.

Some residents may enjoy running an activity related to their culture, such as teaching a traditional dance or sharing a festive story. This can create moments of pride and connection while helping other residents learn about a new tradition.

Communication with Families

Families often know the most about residents’ past celebrations and favourite customs. Speaking to them can bring fresh ideas and help staff understand details that residents may forget or struggle to explain. Families can contribute by bringing decorations, sharing recipes, or joining in activities.

Keeping families informed about upcoming events encourages participation. Newsletters, notice boards, and regular emails can all keep the festive calendar visible to relatives and friends.

Creating Quiet Spaces

While festivities can be joyful, some residents may find large or noisy gatherings overwhelming. This might be due to health conditions, past experiences, or personal preference. Providing quiet spaces during celebrations allows those residents to enjoy the season in their own way. Quiet rooms can feature soft lighting, gentle music, and comfortable seating, with opportunities for one-on-one time with staff.

This attention to individual needs prevents feelings of isolation and lets residents take part at their own pace.

Staff Awareness and Training

Staff need to understand the importance of cultural respect during festive seasons. Basic training in cultural awareness can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure suitable communication with residents from all backgrounds. This training can include:

• An introduction to major cultural festivals celebrated within the care home
• Common dietary rules linked to religious or cultural traditions
• Respectful ways to talk about traditions without assuming belief or practice
• Awareness of sensitive issues, such as residents who do not celebrate certain events

When staff share knowledge about each resident’s preferences, it builds a stronger connection and avoids mistakes that might cause discomfort.

Working with the Community

Local communities often have cultural groups, religious organisations, and charities that can offer support during festive seasons. They might provide volunteers to help with events, bring traditional items for display, or organise performances. This helps bring new experiences into the care home and gives residents a sense of connection beyond its walls.

Local schools or youth groups may enjoy visiting and learning from residents about past experiences of festivals. This exchange of stories can be enjoyable for both generations and can lead to deeper respect for diverse traditions.

Festive Activities for All Abilities

Activities should be inclusive for residents with varying abilities and health conditions. Some may enjoy crafts, while others may prefer watching a performance or tasting seasonal foods. Offering multiple options keeps participation high.

Examples include:

• Arts and crafts using cultural designs
• Baking days featuring dishes from different traditions
• Themed quizzes with questions on global celebrations
• Film afternoons with festive or cultural themes
• Reading circles sharing festive stories from different countries

Activities should be paced to avoid fatigue and should include rest breaks. For residents with limited mobility, staff can bring the activity to them rather than expecting them to move to a different room.

Decorations Made by Residents

Giving residents the chance to create their own festive decorations can be a source of enjoyment and pride. Simple craft sessions can involve making paper lanterns, hand-painted ornaments, or fabric banners representing different cultural designs. These creations can be displayed around the care home, showing the mix of traditions present.

Staff can provide templates for those who might find drawing or cutting difficult, allowing everyone to take part in a way that suits their ability.

Respecting Residents Who Do Not Celebrate

Some residents may choose not to take part in festive activities for personal, cultural, or religious reasons. Respecting their choice is just as important as including those who do wish to celebrate. These residents can be offered alternative activities or time in quiet spaces while larger celebrations take place.

Giving them the freedom to decide whether or not to engage avoids pressure and keeps the environment welcoming for all.

Final Thoughts

Creating a diverse festive environment in a care home is about listening, respecting, and involving residents in ways that make celebrations meaningful to them.

Rather than focusing on a single festival, reflecting the variety of backgrounds present ensures everyone can share in the season. From decorations and food to music and activities, each choice has the potential to include more people and deepen connections.

Staff, residents, families, and local communities all play a role in making celebrations warm, welcoming, and inclusive, so each resident feels valued and respected during festive times.