Perhaps it’s our imagination, but each year it seems the first hints of the Christmas holidays appear earlier and earlier. This year, even the advertising for Black Friday sales, the unofficial kick-off of the holiday season, started at the beginning of November. With this level of commercialization it’s easy to lose sight of why we celebrate the season of giving. As an adult, this seasonal reminder can arise in the delight we see on the face of a young child. Spontaneously unscripted, this blissful moment could be in response to a nighttime viewing of holiday lights, a visit to see Santa Claus, or in the happy anticipation of the unexpected.

A Holiday Reminder

Amidst the commercialism of the holidays, there are some old friends to help remind us of the true reason for the season. These include childhood favorites such as a Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and classic holiday movies such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. At these times, life can appear to imitate art.

How many times throughout the holiday season do we resemble Charlie Brown, feeling overwhelmed during the season of excess when things don’t go the way we expect? In the case of Charlie Brown this could involve a sub-par Christmas tree or for others, keeping up with the ever-growing holiday to-do list. It’s nice to have someone like Linus to remind us with simplicity and earnestness the real reason for the season, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:8-14 KJV.

Channeling the Inner Child

The sweetness of these little reminders can be a good way to step back from the hustle and busyness of the holiday and truly remember to pause to observe the wonders of the unknown. At SeniorCare Homes, we are taking advantage of the classic wonders of the season. With or without a winter wonderland outside, the SeniorCare residents are filling the days with some classic seasonal favorites. These include activities such as afternoons spent mixing and decorating holiday sugar cookies, floating mini marshmallows across a comforting cup of hot cocoa, and sitting within the glow of the holiday lights, listening to holiday music.

Rekindling Memories and Making New

This month, we’re also enjoying viewings of classic and new holiday movies as well as anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. With each event and activity, SeniorCare Homes looks to create an opportunity where the child within can experience the magic of the holiday season, whether that’s through a holiday sing-along or finding the surprise within a beautifully wrapped gift. During the busyness of the season, we hope that you’ll take a moment to remember why we celebrate the season of giving, the pleasure of the present and the memories of holidays gone by. From all of us at SeniorCare Homes, we wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SeniorCare Homes in Overland Park and Leawood, Kansas, offer the most comfortable and stable assisted living environment to seniors with dementia, memory loss, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Phone (913) 236-0036 to learn more about neighborhood living for the memory impaired.