Here at Bethesda Gardens, we know that our time is a gift from God, and as such, we endeavor to make each day fulfilling. Holiday seasons in particular are filled with exciting chances to make memories with friends and family, give and receive special treats and participate in traditions and worship services.
Whether seniors are planning a day with their grandchildren or just aiming to round up some of their neighbors for the chance to spend time together as a community, there are many holiday activities that are best experienced in a group. With this in mind, here are some fun things to do in preparation for Easter.
Dyeing eggs is an age-old tradition that both kids and adults can enjoy. The simplest method is to hard boil a collection of eggs and dunk them in food coloring. Seniors who want to try something different can use Kool-Aid packets and whipped cream to create beautifully marbled eggs that are safe to consume even after applying the bright pigments. Another elegant twist to classic designs is to wrap the eggs in the leaves or stems of edible herbs and dip them in naturally colored water.
If potential messes created by dyes and water worry seniors, they can focus on decorating eggs through arts and crafts projects such as these decoupaged paper mache eggs or handmade fruit-shaped stamps.
Residents who are delighted with the desert landscape and flora surrounding their Phoenix, Arizona, home can fashion these clever cactus-inspired Easter eggs and showcase the outdoor scenery inside their apartments.
Baby animals are a universal sign of spring and Easter. These cute candy huggers can be cut out and given as tokens of friendship or used as accents on DIY cards, wreaths and garlands.
For a tabletop decoration that lets seniors show off their mood and bring a chuckle to kids and adults alike, try making this fun balloon chick.
If seniors are looking for a customized centerpiece or a gift for someone who seems to have everything, this bunny gumball craft forms an eye-catching addition to coffee tables or bookcases.
An alternative to classic pinecone birdfeeders seen around Christmas, this DIY transforms leftover plastic eggs into yard decorations that invite birds to pay a visit. This gives seniors or their grandchildren the chance to spot some of the songbirds that call their local areas home.
Instead of handing out Easter baskets, seniors who want to treat their friends can decorate mason jars with bunny silhouettes and fill them with candies or homemade goodies. This fashions a handy container that transports and stores their gifts.
A few easy snack recipes to help seniors get started filling their jars include these sweet and salty chocolate pretzel characters that can be made using only a microwave and these watercolor cookies, which can be prepared in the country kitchen or substituted with store-bought cookies that seniors can then ice and cover with painted designs.
Seniors who wish to celebrate their faith in the days leading up to Easter can follow this tutorial for building a lovely and interactive resurrection garden. Filled with either moss and flowers or traditional rye grass, these planters form a living diorama display of the empty tomb for a patio.
