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I LOVE Christmas caroling! In fact, while I was in high school some friends and I started our own tradition of late night caroling. We used to get together at my friend Annie’s house for a sleep over to celebrate her December birthday. It was perfect timing for caroling! We waited for her mom to fall asleep so we could sneak out and attempt to annoy the neighbors by knocking on their doors after curfew and singing carols. Turns out the neighbors weren’t annoyed at all! They loved it! So, we sneaked out again the next year! (We were SUCH rebels!). 

This weekend my family and I joined local friends at a nursing home for a Christmas carol sing along. My friend Erica has arranged this wonderful event for years now. She makes sure to include everyone from age 0-100! This year was my first time attending and it was a lot of fun! Some of the residents truly enjoyed seeing the little children. My girls were able to chat with one resident who misses her grandchildren. She helped my girls feed the fish in the small fountain and enjoyed listening to all their stories. It was so heartwarming to see the interaction!

Photo credit: clearcareonline.com
Photo credit: clearcareonline.com

How can you help? Contact a nursing home or senior residence near you and ask if they already have carolers coming. If they do not, ask if you can bring your friends and family with little kids to spend some time caroling for the residents. You can carol through the halls from room to room in true caroler fashion, or assemble in the activity room. If you are affiliated with a scout troop invite them along. The more the Merrier! If there is time you can assemble some cards, or holiday crafts to bring along for the residents (or even the staff) to enjoy.

Erica and her family brought along a stash of festive hats and head bands and some simple instruments for kids could use. There were jingle bells, tambourines and plenty of shakers. She also brought along song books for carolers to hold and prompted us along while singing.

 

Be sure to bring along festive hats and song books for carolers.
Be sure to bring along festive hats and song books for carolers.

There is so much learning that transpires when different generations mingle. Teaching our kids to extend the holiday spirit to seniors who are missing their families is a great way to help foster compassion and empathy. Most importantly, showing our kids how to treat our elders is modeling for them how we would like to be treated one day.

 

Related posts:

On The First Day Of Service Host A Food Drive

On The Second Day of Service Host A Coat Drive

On The Third Day of Service Make A Special Delivery

On The Fourth Day of Service Send Some Cheer

On The Fifth Day of Service Give Some Swag

On The Sixth Day of Service Rise Together

On The Seventh Day of Service Make A Furry Friend

On The Eighth Day of Service Express Your Gratitude

 

The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy

 

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19 Comments on On The Ninth Day of Service Share Your Spirit

  1. Awwww, how sweet. We used to do the same thing when my kids were little and I was in the MOMS club in town. The old folks LOVED seeing the kids.

  2. This is perfect timing, our kids are joining a caroling group at church tonight and are SO excited! They’re visiting an assisted living facility, the neighborhood around the church, and a few specific senior citizen’s homes.

  3. This is precious! I’m embarrassed to say I have never been caroling. I would love to, though! My mom took my siblings and I to visit nursing homes when we were younger. I have some wonderful memories of those times.

  4. I love this. My daughter belongs to a group at school that visits different communities/facilities around town that cater to the elderly where they will visit with them & sing. I know they enjoy it so much.

  5. I have never been caroling before, and I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed caroling in real life. That must be such a heart-warming feeling to bring cheer to a nursing home in this manner.

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