Press release
Care home residents share their favourite Christmas songs and stories
This festive period, we discover the Christmas songs, traditions and memories that make our residents feel the most festive. From watching
Morecambe and Wise to It s A Wonderful Life, many elements of the Christmas period are shared amongst our residents – but others were far
more personal
Favourite Christmas songs
We surveyed Bupa care homes across the UK to find out what songs make them feel the most Christmas nostalgia.
With so many Christmas carols and Christmas pop songs to choose from, what made the list?
- Away In A Manger
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Deck The Halls
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
- It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
- It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
- Jingle Bells
- Last Christmas
- Holy Night
- Little Town Of Bethlehem
- Praise Ye The Lord
- Once In Royal David’s City
- Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
- Silent Night
- We’re Walking In The Air
Listen to our Christmas playlist with your loved ones.
Listen to our Christmas playlistChristmas memories
If you find that Christmas makes you nostalgic for the past, you’re not the only one. The food, music and people you associate with this time of year can instil a deep sense of comfort and connection. Along with giving us comfort, research shows that Christmas nostalgia can benefit our mental health1.
We spoke to residents at Hazelmere Bupa Care Home in Wilmslow to hear about their Christmas memories hoping to inspire nostalgia sessions elsewhere and get a festive mental health boost.
Christmas food
From remembering mum’s homemade Christmas pudding - not forgetting the hidden sixpence inside - to indulging in sherry trifle. The relationship between Christmas and food is one that runs deep in our care home residents.
Win, 80, recalls that getting everyone round the table to eat together was often a bit of a challenge. Her family would borrow chairs from the neighbours so everyone could gather and enjoy the festive offerings together.
Christmas during wartime
With several residents growing up during the World War II, some of their Christmas memories set the tone for future festivities.
From making decorations from anti RADAR aluminium foil, to lighting the fire as a special treat, Christmas encouraged families to appreciate and make the most of the little they had.
Pat, 84, remembered the cold winters of her childhood, and the comfort of her father’s heavy grey army coat that used to be laid over her in bed to help keep her warm.
Norma, 90, shared: “I preferred Christmas during the war. You didn’t have to have a lot of money for a good Christmas day. Everyone got together and there were some lovely memories.”
Christmas tree memories
Whilst paper Christmas trees are no longer in fashion (thanks to tighter health and safety laws) the ritual of buying and decorating the tree was rooted in our residents’ memories. Many have their own traditions that reminded them of good times.
Like many households, Norma, 90, decorating the tree was a family affair. Norma always decorated her Christmas tree together with her daughter.
Family Christmas games
The games we play with our loved ones may not always be recognisable to other families, but they’re all part of the charm of the festivities.
Barbara, 81, played a game each year where her family members took it in turns to hide brass monkey toys around the home, starting an annual friendly competition to seek out the most.
Jo, 92, always decorated her landing with a Christmas nativity scene. Each year, she would leave Jesus’s crib empty until Christmas Eve, leaving her children giddily anticipating his appearance.
Christmas wish lists
When our residents were children, Christmas wish lists were much shorter. Pat, 84, recalled that apples, oranges and annuals were common gifts in her household. “If you got a doll or a jigsaw, you’d had a good Christmas!” Pat remarked.
Jo, 92, and her sister would look forward to Christmas, as it meant they were allowed to choose three books for their Christmas presents, chosen from a bookshop local to them in Farnham.
Barbara, 81, remembers one Christmas when she asked for a blue bike. During the war, her family didn’t have much money, but her dad managed to find a red and white bike for her. The bike was rusty, but still had life in it – so her dad painted it blue and gifted Barbara the present she was hoping for.
Help when you need it
Choosing a care home can be stressful, especially if you’ve never done it before. Where do you start? Well, right here. Our helpful, understanding customer care team offer free advice on anything from funding to finding the right home.
Call a customer care team on 0345 600 4622^
Ask us to assess your situation and talk to you about paying for care.
Find care homes that might be right for you, and book one or more visits.
^We may record or monitor calls. Lines are open 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm Saturday. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
1 American Psychological Association, Novotney A, December 2023, Feeling nostalgic this holiday season? It might help boost your mental health.
