With Christmas on our heels, many in our community are already in the gift giving spirit! The best gift a person can receive in the nursing home is the gift of someone spending quality time with them. As we age, we begin to realize how little material things in life mean and we truly cherish our relationships with family and friends. However, if you are not able to spend time with someone in the nursing home or don’t feel comfortable doing so, there are other small ways to give to them and make Christmas memorable for them as well. Here are a couple great ideas for small presents that you, your school, business, or employer could do or create to spread some holiday cheer to our local nursing homes.

1. Buy socks and decorate them.

The paint also creates grippers on the bottom of the sock to decrease falls.

1. Cupcake Socks! Another fun fuzzy sock gift idea!

1. Great storage for their walkers. This could easily be done with only a few stitches.

1. Cute little reindeer! (Soap wrapped in washcloths decorated as reindeer)

1. Candy Bar Snowman!

1. Eye Glass holder! This one is another that could easily be made with only a few stitches.

1. A great lunch apron to keep their clothes nice and clean from drips and spills.

1. Alzheimer’s Fidget Lap Blanket can relax and calm nerves.

1. Tissue holders!

1. Picture box/ tissue holder! A 2-in-1 gift!

1. Christmas sock wreath for their door.

1. Shawl/wrap for chilly days!

1. Blanket Huggy! (Or any kind of blanket!)

A few other great gifts are books, puzzles, crossword puzzle books, board games, dominos, cards, adult coloring books, audio books, greeting cards, address book, stationary, envelopes, stamps, quality pens, calendar, knitting and crochet material, drawing utensils, bags of candy, combs, brushes, lotion, lip balm, soap, deodorant, tissues, framed photos, bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, stuffed animals, silk flowers, plants, and children’s art projects. If you would like to donate your time, please visit our website for more information or call and speak to our Activities Director. Volunteering can be as much as you want it to be. The residents appreciate a new smiling face any day of the week. Visit www.mhnrc.com or call 256-740-5400. Merry Christmas!