“Dear Jan, I hope you don’t mind me writing to you anonymously. I’ve taken over the role of AC. In the past, our care home has always given Christmas presents to our volunteers, but nothing to our residents! My manager says we don’t have the budget for this and claims that all residents have presents to open from their relatives. Sadly, I know this isn’t always the case. In my eyes, we should be making sure that every resident receives a present from the care home. But without a big budget, I don’t know how to make this happen. There are 50 residents in our home. Do you have any ideas?”
Anonymous, Activities Assistant
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in. It is a real shame that management can’t allocate any budget for this, but it is good that they acknowledge your volunteers.
There are a few ways you can make the day special without spending a fortune. Here are my suggestions…
- Ask for donations of brightly coloured socks. If everyone on your team donated a pair, you would have enough. Use them to make up a stocking for each resident. You could put a tangerine in the toe, print off a Christmas cracker joke for each one, add a few sweets or chocolate coins and if you can stretch to it, a small gift. Maybe a packet of tissues, a handmade lavender bag, or a small Christmas ornament that you could have made in a craft session. Make your own gift tags out of old cards, add the resident’s name and tie up the stocking. Personalise them to your residents where possible (make sure you consider dietary preferences and allergies etc). Hand out the stockings on Christmas morning, or ask Father Christmas to! These stockings will promote memories of Christmas past, and you could spend some time talking about what they remember receiving in their stocking as a child.
- Another idea is a ‘hug in a mug’. Again, ask for donations of mugs – most people have a few spare in their cupboards. Fill the mug with sweets, a sachet of hot chocolate and a few marshmallows. Wrap the mug in cellophane and tie on a gift tag, stating the resident’s name and a promise that you’ll make the hot chocolate for them!
- Approach local groups such as the Brownies, Scouts and Guides. Often they will make cards and small gifts for residents when they are working towards a badge. Invite the groups in for a free Christmas sing-song to show your appreciation.
- The WI, church and MU groups may also take on the challenge of providing gifts – it’s always worth a chat.
Best wishes,
Jan
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