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If you’ve been with my blog for a while, you know about the holiday activity posts I featured last year. Each month, I posted two articles containing lots of ideas to help your residents celebrate little-known national holidays.
For example, we celebrated Emma M. Nutt Day in September. We also enjoyed Moon Day in July.
As I planned my blog topics for 2019, I decided to stop writing these articles. Instead, I thought it might be more helpful to focus on general information about creating meaningful activities for your residents.
Recently, I was surprised and pleased to hear that some of my readers miss these holiday posts, and you want them to come back. Since I always enjoyed researching ideas for these special holidays, I’m excited to know that you find these articles useful!
As a result, I decided to bring back one little-known holiday each month. For the month of May, I know your residents will get a kick out of celebrating Lost Sock Memorial Day on May 9. I don’t know about you, but no matter where I live, I always end up with a little pile of mismatched socks.
Where did the other sock go? Some people blame the washing machine. Others blame the dryer. Or perhaps it was a mischievous gremlin. Who knows where those socks went! But it gives us an excellent excuse to have some fun celebrating this silly holiday.
Here’s how:
Find alternative uses for socks
Ask your residents to brainstorm ideas for making good use out of a sock when you can’t find its mate. Then share these 88 brilliant ideas from Reader’s Digest. (I’ve used a sock as a dust rag in the past, but I never thought to cover my shoes with socks when I’m painting!)
Host a sock drive
I’m told that one of the most needed but least donated items at homeless shelters is new socks. Check with your local shelters and find out what they need in terms of sizes, styles, etc. Then host a week-long sock drive. Put up a small, untrimmed Christmas tree where people can hang the socks they donate.
Dress silly
On May 9, encourage your residents to wear mismatched socks. This is a terrific way to get employees and volunteers involved, too.
Another option is to ask people to decorate their own mismatched socks. Then offer a little prize for the craziest idea.
Play a game
There are lots of fun games to play using socks:
- Play basketball using a laundry basket and rolled-up socks.
- Hide small objects in the toes of several socks. Pass them around and ask people to guess the object.
- Set up plastic soda bottles in a pattern like bowling pins, then have residents knock them over using a pair of rolled-up socks.
- Hide colorful socks around the facility. Offer a small prize for everyone who finds a sock.
Enjoy a snack
Decorate cookies to look like mismatched socks. You can find lots of cool ideas on Pinterest. While residents enjoy their snack, I know they’ll enjoy hearing all about the history of socks.
Sort the laundry
On memory care units, you’ll often see residents folding towels. While this is a fine activity, I think socks are much more interesting. But they can’t be just any old socks.
I visited several thrift stores in our community and picked up the cutest kids’ socks I could find. Our residents enjoy finding the matches, folding the socks, and talking about the pretty designs.
Create a craft
You’ll find tons of craft projects using lone socks on Pinterest. One of my favorites is making dog toys. They’re quick and easy, and they don’t require any sewing.
If dogs live at your facility, they’re sure to enjoy the toys. Otherwise, send them home with employees who have pets, or donate them to an animal shelter.
Have you ever celebrated Lost Sock Memorial Day? I would love to see your suggestions in the comment section!
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