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It’s that time of the year when we talk more about Christmas in care and if you’re reading this, maybe with a cuppa in hand, tinsel in the background, or perhaps feeling that familiar festive knot in your stomach, I see you. You’re probably managing a care service, leading an incredible team, and doing your absolute best to support some truly special people through one of the most emotional times of the year.
Christmas in care can be pure magic, can’t it? Those moments when a resident’s face lights up because of a simple carol or a familiar decoration… it hits you right in the heart. But honestly, it can also feel overwhelming. The staffing headaches, safeguarding worries that creep in when everyone’s focused on the joy, the pressure to make it special for everyone without leaving anyone behind.
This guide is here to help you navigate it all with practical, heartfelt advice drawn from years of experience in the sector. Christmas in care requires thoughtful planning, strong leadership, and always a person-centred approach.
Regardless if this one is your first festive season in charge of a care service or you’ve been through a few, you can make it one that’s safe, inclusive, and full of genuine moments that matter.
Plan Early for Christmas in Care
Here’s the truth that every seasoned care manager knows: the secret to a smoother Christmas in care is starting early. Really early. Think months ahead, not weeks. If you’re only just turning your mind to it now (and hey, no judgement – we’ve all been there), it’s still worth diving in today.
The goal? To take the pressure off when December hits full swing, so you and your team can focus on the people you support rather than firefighting.
- When Should You Start Planning for Christmas?
Ideally, right after the last one wraps up. January is perfect for reflecting, then let ideas simmer through the year. By autumn, your key plans should be taking shape – rota drafts circulating, supply orders in motion.
- Learn from the Previous Year
This is one of the smartest things you can do, not just for making things better for residents , but for showing regulators like CQC that you’re committed to continuous improvement.
Sit down with as a team or even alone if you’re flying solo, grab a coffee and ask some honest questions:
- What went brilliantly?
- What was a nightmare?
- Who felt overlooked?
Jot it all down in a simple “lessons learned” document, it’s a powerful evidence of continuous improvement and quality assurance, the kind that shows strong leadership, improves service outcome, boost CQC rating and make the next Christmas in care smoother.
Key Priorities For Christmas in Care
Christmas in a care setting works best when the essentials are thought through early. Prioritising the right things allows you and your team to focus less on last-minute pressures and more on creating an inclusive experience for service users.
Focus here first and everything else flows more easily:
- The rota: Draft it early, with fairness and individual circumstances in mind, so staff feel considered and supported.
- Supplies: Order extra of everything well in advance. Food, medication, and decorations. Businesses close over holidays and you don’t want to run short.
- Family engagement: Reach out early to the relatives of service users to find out their plans and share yours as well to avoid surprises.
- Activities preview: Start thinking about activities that genuinely suit your residents, rather than relying only on traditional ideas.
Getting these foundations in place early creates breathing space. It reduces stress, supports your team, and leaves room for those spontaneous, magical festive moments that make Christmas in care truly special.
Policies and Procedures to Review for Christmas in Care
Even though you probably don’t have a specific “Christmas policy” sitting in your folder (and if you do, that’s brilliant!), the festive season has a way of shining a spotlight on your everyday ones. This is the perfect time to pull them out, give them a quick refresh with your team, and make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Why bother? Because Christmas in care brings extra bustle, more food prep, heightened emotions, different routines and having these policies in mind keeps everything running safely and smoothly.
These are the key areas to check before Christmas;
- Kitchen, Nutrition and Dietary Policies
Food is at the heart of so many festive memories, but we can’t let the excitement override individual needs. Double-check that kitchen teams are crystal clear on residents’ dietary requirements, allergies, and textures.
With all the extra cooking, ramp up those daily clean-downs too. It’s about making Christmas dinner feel special while keeping it safe.
- Grievance, Disciplinary and Communication Policies
The holidays can stir up all sorts of feelings: joy for some, tension for others. Staff might feel the pressure of working away from their own families, or little niggles can bubble up.
Keep communication open and remind everyone how to raise concerns kindly and professionally. Clear channels mean small issues don’t snowball.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policies
This one really matters at Christmas. Not everyone celebrates it – for some, it might bring sadness, memories of loss, or simply aren’t part of their beliefs or culture. A one-size-fits-all festive approach can feel exclusionary.
Refresh your team’s understanding: we’re here to respect each person’s wishes, not push a blanket celebration.
- Activities Policies
If you’ve got a policy guiding activities (and most services do), use it now to frame everything festive. It helps ensure events are meaningful, safe, and truly person-centred – encouraging participation without pressure.
Taking a little time to revisit industry policies like the CQC person-centered care framework helps you plan for a Christmas in care where everyone feels supported, respected, and safe. Your team will thank you for the clarity, and your residents will feel the difference.
Reviewing these policies before Christmas is a great step to planning for Christmas in care and creating a safe, supportive framework where kindness, dignity, and genuine festive moments can happen naturally for the people you support and for the staff who care for them every day.
Staff Management Strategies for Christmas in Care
The one thing that keeps most care managers awake at night this time of year is rota. Christmas in care comes along with unique staffing challenges, but with the right strategies, these challenges can be handled fairly.
The key? Start early, be transparent, and remember you’re leading a team of real people with their own families and traditions.
Here’s a practical strategy you can use;
- Creating an Equitable Christmas Rota
Look back at last year’s rota for a starting point. Who worked the big days? Rotate where possible so the same people aren’t always covering Christmas Day or New Year’s. This fairness will definitely build trust and reduce resentment.
Ask your team directly: some might actually prefer to work over Christmas. Publish the rota early and make it clear. Once it’s out, stick to it unless there’s a genuine emergency.
For more practical tips on managing festive rotas fairly, check out this helpful article from Care Management Matters: How care homes can navigate the Christmas period using digital tools and clear communication.
- Incentives, Bonuses and Time Off in Lieu
Make working the holidays feel valued. Offer enhanced pay, a festive hamper, extra time off in January, or even a team thank-you meal. Small gestures go a long way in showing appreciation.
- Lead by example and On-Call Support
If you can, put yourself on the rota for at least one shift over Christmas. It shows solidarity – you’re not asking your team to do anything you wouldn’t.
If that’s not possible, make sure your on-call details are pinned everywhere and you’re genuinely available for support. Your team needs to know they’ve got backup.
- Backup Plans: Agency and Bank Staff Relationships
Build those relationships now. Reach out to your bank staff early to gauge availability, and have trusted agency contacts on speed dial. It’s more expensive, but far better than compromising care.
A well-planned rota is less about numbers and more about creating a Christmas in care where staff feel respected and residents get consistent, compassionate support.
Activities For a Safe and Fair Christmas in Care
This is where Christmas in care can truly shine, creating moments of joy, connection, and meaning. But the real magic happens when activities are genuinely inclusive and person-centred. Not everyone wants a full-on festivities, and that’s okay.
The goal is to make sure every single person feels seen, respected, and able to join in on their own terms.
- Ensure Person-Centred Care at Christmas
It all starts with knowing your residents deeply, their life stories, beliefs, past traditions, what brings them comfort or sparks happy memories.
Some will love the sparkle and carols; others might find it overwhelming or simply not part of their world. Lead with their wishes, always.
- Avoid a Blanket Approach
Never assume everyone celebrates Christmas. For some, it might stir sadness or loss; for others, it’s tied to different faiths or cultures entirely. Encourage gently if it feels right, but respect a “no” without question.
- Creative Sessions
Get creative! Modern twists like streaming favourite holiday films or non-festive ones, playing personalised playlists, or simple crafts can work wonders.
Here are some inclusive ideas that have worked beautifully in care settings:
- Card-making or ornament crafting sessions
- Story-sharing evenings
- Sensory activities like scented candles or gentle music
- Virtual visits or calls with family
- Provide Quiet Spaces
Keep at least one communal area calm and decorated. Consider it a peaceful retreat for anyone needing a break from the buzz.
When planning shifts, think about pairing staff who share similar outlooks with residents who prefer low-key days. It creates natural comfort and understanding.
Building Community Links Safely for Christmas in Care
One of the most beautiful things about Christmas in care is when the outside world steps in and lights up the place. It could be a school choir singing in the lounge, a local church group bringing handmade cards, or a group of residents heading out to a gentle Christmas market.
These are to have and can only happen with an early planning. Here’s how you can go about it;
- Reach out early; Don’t wait until the festive period. Contact your local schools, choirs, churches, youth groups, and community centers as early as summer or early autumn.
- Inter-generational Opportunities and Local Authority Support: These kinds of visits are a win-win. The children enjoy it, the residents love it.
- Outings vs. Visitors: Both are wonderful but be sure to plan them safely. Ensure visitors coming in have a clear process (ID checks, sign-in, supervision if needed) and outings are monitored as well.
These connections remind residents they’re part of something bigger and that feeling of belonging is one of the most precious gifts you can give at this time of year.
Pro Tips for First Time Managers
If this is your first Christmas leading a care service, take a deep breath, you’re stepping into something truly special, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves.
Here’s how to go about it in simple terms;
- Plan Early and Clear the Decks in December
- Share Responsibility and Delegate to Staff
- Conduct Post-Christmas Review for Continuous Improvement
Your first Christmas in care might feel like a big milestone, but remember: it’s about the people, not perfection. Lean on your team, trust your instincts, and you’ll create moments of real warmth that everyone will remember.
From early planning and fair staffing to inclusive activities, community links, vigilant safeguarding, and those tender considerations for end-of-life care – every step you’ve taken shows your commitment. And don’t forget celebrating your amazing team; they deserve it as much as anyone.
👉 Get compliant training to help you prepare
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Wishing you, your team, and all the wonderful people you support a Merry Christmas 🎄
