As we welcome November, take the time to reflect on the season and plan activities that keep your care home residents engaged and excited. With its shorter days, cooler temperatures, and an increasing focus on cosy indoor activities, November offers plenty of opportunities to embrace themes of warmth, reflection, and creativity.
Embrace Hygge and Cosy Vibes
November brings colder, darker evenings, which is the perfect excuse to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that channels a bit of the Danish "hygge" mindset.
Create cosy corners with blankets, cushions, and warm lighting. Add some fairy lights or flameless candles to make the space feel magical.
Serve comforting treats like mulled apple juice, hot chocolate, or soups. Encourage residents to help make these, using easy-to-follow recipes for simple winter warmers.
Introduce more indoor activities where residents can enjoy stories, either by reading aloud to them or encouraging residents to take turns reading. Books about autumn, nature, or nostalgic classics work well during these darker, quieter months.
Host a gratitude circle where residents share what they’re grateful for. It’s a simple but powerful way to bring people together.
Create a "Gratitude Tree" where residents can write something they’re thankful for on a paper leaf and add it to the tree each day.
November might appear to be a quieter month for gardening, but there is still much to be done and you can still bring nature indoors.
It's the perfect time for planting bulbs. Guide residents through planting bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, and tulips, which will bloom beautifully come springtime.
Look up how to create 'Lasagne Pots for bulbs' so that residents can enjoy making their own creations. It’s a lovely way to look forward to warmer days. The pots should be placed outdoors once they've been planted up. Consider purchasing some slate plant markers so that the pots can be named for the residents who planted them up.
Even though it’s getting colder, a brisk walk to see the changing leaves can still be enjoyable for those able to get outside.
Bring along scarves, gloves, and arrange somewhere to enjoy a hot drink afterwards.
For those who celebrate Christmas, encourage residents to start making or decorating cards for friends, family, or fellow residents.
Gather materials to make your own festive decorations, whether it’s paper chains, ornaments, or garlands.
Plan a festive countdown with daily or weekly activities that will help build excitement for December.
November is a time of transition, moving from the crispness of autumn to the cosiness of winter. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce a mix of reflective, creative, and comforting activities to residents. By focusing on the themes of remembrance, gratitude, and warmth, you can help make this month a memorable and enjoyable one for everyone in your care.
There are lots of ideas to celebrate the many different special dates in November in the membership. £60 per year.
Here's just one pack which is available to buy in the online shop
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