Celebrate the New Year Differently: Find Out How You Can Spice Up New Year's Celebrations for Older Adults
By Vanessa Patterson
December 31st is fast approaching! Figuring out how to spend New Year’s Eve can be a struggle, and every year ends up feeling exactly the same as the one before especially for older adults. It is important to change things up so we can actually look forward to New Year’s Eve! Here are some ideas for older adults wanting to make plans for December 31st.
Share a favourite meal
New Year’s Eve is often associated with elaborate parties, fireworks, and toasting champagne. Although it is fun to adhere to a traditional New Year’s celebrations, sometimes its even more fun to share a simple, favourite meal with friends and family. Don’t be pressured to share this meal at night, change things up and host a New Year’s brunch, or lunch instead! You can choose to spend your New Year’s Eve meal with us here at the Centre! Dress up and join us for our New Year’s Eve Party from 1:00 -5:00 p.m. Tickets are $18.00 for members and $20.00 for guests, all ages are welcome! See our administration desk for more details.
Spark some old memories
The New Year is all about looking forward to the future but its also an opportunity to reflect on past memories and experiences. Bring out the old photo albums and choose photos to share with friends and families. Activities like this always ignite old feelings and memories so prepare to laugh or maybe even get emotional!
Look toward the future as a group
Every year we are encouraged to make personal goals for the incoming year, this can be quite a difficult task. During your celebration, hand out pieces of paper and come up with resolutions together! It can be helpful hearing other people’s ideas. and also gives the opportunity to create group resolutions like aiming to have a dinner together every week!
Host a modified countdown
Let’s be honest, staying up until midnight every year can get a little tedious. If you want to skip the countdown at midnight you might feel a little wary because you don’t want to miss out on the tradition of ringing in the New Year. Fear not! Instead stage a “faux” countdown with some of you like-minded friends and family who also value their beauty sleep! Choose a different time zone that suits your needs and celebrate the New Year at a time that suits you! You can pick a time zone at random or select one based on a personal connection to that area!
In the end, it doesn't really matter how you choose to spend your New Year's Eve, its all about spending it with people you love!