6 Holiday Celebration Ideas for Healthcare Facilities | HHS

For many people, the holiday season is the most anticipated time of year. Spending time with valued family and friends, setting up decorations and lights, sharing in joy and laughter, and getting in the holiday spirit is what this time is all about.

Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to bring that same joy and happiness into these facilities during the holiday season. Here are some simple ways to celebrate the holidays and bring that cheerful spirit to patients, visitors and staff at your facility:

1. Start decorating early.

Decorating for the holidays can feel a lot like making your own morning coffee. It’s a little extra work, you have to account for it in your morning routine and commute time, but that first sip makes it all worth it. And no matter how excited you are for the holidays, decorating early can be a bit tedious.

Putting up trees. Stringing up lights. Getting out the festive candles, hanging up wreaths and garland. Draping the colors of the season—all of it brings a more festive and exciting atmosphere to your facility for your staff and visitors. In fact, recent research suggests that those who put up decorations earlier tend to be happier and more socially connected!

2. Get everyone involved in the celebration.

The holidays aren’t something to be celebrated behind closed doors. The holidays are something to be shared! Don’t cram all your seasonal fun into one staff party or mid-day luncheon. Find ways to celebrate alongside your staff and fill your facility with the holiday spirit!

• Encourage costumes & holiday flair. Seasonal uniforms can be something special, but they aren’t always in the budget. That’s when costume contests and decorating can make up the difference.
• Ask staff to join in on the decorating. Give staff members ownership over their workspace. What sort of decorations can they add to add some extra magic to the facility?
• Hit as many holidays as possible. We have lots of options to celebrate in the winter, why not take some time to share the cheer? 

3. Make tiny tweaks to your routine.

Celebrations and decorations don’t have to be bombastic all-out shindigs. They don’t have to be larger-than-life decorations, show-stopping displays, or even something extravagant at all. Sometimes, you can celebrate the season with just small changes to the status quo and a little extra empathy.

• Leave cards & notes to help others feel special. A simple note on a food tray or a greeting card left at the bedside reminds patients they are valued during a time when many are most susceptible to the sting of loneliness.
• Play holiday music or invite carolers to sing. The right music can effortlessly transform any environment into something more seasonal and cheerful. Better yet, ask your patients about their favorite holiday songs and movies, then put those at the top of the rotation.

4. Get festive with your food.

Your culinary and nutrition services (CNS) are an ideal opportunity for infusing your facility with more of the holiday spirit. Food brings people together. The right food can create unforgettable moments and genuine satisfaction. That’s why so many hospitals turn to a professional support service to make the most of their food services.

• Ask about someone’s holiday favorite, then make it happen. It’s not really the holidays until you’re enjoying your favorite seasonal dish. Do your patients have holiday meals or desserts they’re craving? See if some seasonal magic can put it together.
• Put a festive spin on what’s being served. Can’t put together an entire dish? Swap out your usual snacks for something more seasonal, like plating foods with holiday themes for a fun surprise.

5. Practice mindful connection.

Unfortunately, hospitalization often means isolation from those who love us. One way to keep patients feeling connected is to write some cards and notes to their families and friends. If a patient is unable to write, taking some time to sit with them and talk or help transcribe some holiday messages can be a big seasonal win.

6. Host special events & holiday activities.

No one wants to miss out on the holidays, including your patients (and staff working long holiday hours!). They might not be able to participate in their usual festivities, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find something to celebrate. With just a little extra planning, your facility can provide them with opportunities to celebrate no matter what their situation is.

• Schedule seasonal arts & crafts projects. Paint a holiday picture. Make some simple paper snowflakes. Put together a gift for a visitor. Every activity keeps your patients connected to the holidays.
• Suggest contests or parties to keep spirits high. Working in healthcare can be tough, and being a patient is filled with all sorts of harsh realities. That’s why the best facilities celebrate throughout the holiday season and make sure everyone feels included.

Happy Holidays, Happy Healthcare

A patient’s emotions have a big impact on physical recovery. In fact, personalized care and narrative nursing increasingly reminds us that emotional well-being is directly linked to overall health.

So, why not tap into the holiday spirit to help your patients feel fulfilled spiritually and mentally? Why not decorate and celebrate at every opportunity if it keeps everyone satisfied? Happy holidays and happy healthcare go hand in hand.

[Originally Published: November 24, 2021]