Christmas Cheer All Through December
December was a truly magical month at Oakbank Care Home in Crieff, filled with festive activities for our residents, families, and staff alike to enjoy in the run-up to the big day. Every day had something new to look forward to, making sure there was something for everybody to enjoy.
The month began with visits from talented local entertainers, including Chris White and Michael Patterson, whose performances had everyone tapping their feet and singing along. Ardvreck Nursery brought smiles to our residents with their heart-warming nativity play, and we loved the snowflake tea at Crieff High School. These intergenerational connections are always a highlight for us, and it was a joy to see the children interacting so lovingly with our residents.
Another favourite event was the Christmas photoshoot, where residents donned Santa hats, festive jumpers, and reindeer antlers for their homemade Christmas cards. The smiles captured in these photos reflect just how much everyone enjoyed themselves – as you can see in the photos, the laughter was infectious!
Our Christmas jumper day brought out everyone’s creative side, with staff and residents showcasing their festive knitwear. We even managed to gather for a group photo in front of our beautifully decorated Christmas tree to show off how snazzy and sparkly we were all looking.
The visit from the wee therapy ponies added an extra sprinkle of magic. Residents had the opportunity to stroke and cuddle these gentle animals, which brought so much joy and sparked fond memories for many. How cute are their festive outfits?!
The festive fun continued with carol singing from the talented Morrisons Academy and the Crieff Choral Choir. Their beautiful harmonies filled our home with the sounds of Christmas, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. We also enjoyed a fantastic pantomime performance of Aladdin by Theatre Presto, which was brimming with all the traditional panto antics – from cheeky jokes to plenty of "oh no it isn’t!" moments. Residents and staff were in fits of laughter at the performance.
On Christmas Day itself, the celebrations reached their peak. Santa made a special appearance, with his mischievous elves (Mel and Nat) and his kind helper elf (Julie) by his side. Every resident received a personalised present, ensuring no one missed out on the festive spirit. A heartfelt thank you goes to all our staff who worked tirelessly, even coming in on their days off, to make this season unforgettable.
As the month drew to a close, the feedback from families, friends, and staff was overwhelming. The dedication of our team shone through, with many commenting on how much fun the residents had and how well thought-out the events were. It was brilliant to see so many of our residents, their loved ones, and the wider community coming together to make December truly special.
From all of us at Oakbank Care Home, we wish you a very Happy New Year and thank you for helping make Christmas so magical. Here's to a fabulous 2025!
