​With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are looking forward to a busy, bustling few weeks filled with holiday gatherings, baking sessions, festive activities, connecting with family and friends, decking the halls, and crossing items off wish lists.

With all the commotion, it can be challenging to get to back to that thing our parents taught us: “it’s the thought that counts". But for many older adults, time well spent can be the greatest gift of all. For someone who has everything (or wants nothing), the gift of time can often have more meaning than a pile of pretty presents under the tree.

Using time as our currency, we’re sharing 10 low, or no cost ideas to celebrate the older adults in your life and create cherished memories this season.

• Break out the photo albumPulling out old photos is a great way to reminisce and share a legacy. You may learn some interesting facts about your family genealogy and history—or maybe even solve an age-old family mystery! For many, recollection is a tool to help a loved one reconnect with themselves and each other.
• Write a memoir togetherIf you already have the photo albums out, this is a great opportunity to connect even further and record the stories attached to the treasured images in your loved one’s own words. If you’re not sure where to start, record a video, or use a DIY journal for inspiration. If you’re not a natural scrapbooker, options like Storyworth offer unique tools to help document the stories of your loves ones.

• Find a new first togetherWhen is the last time you did something for the first time? Finding a new first can happen at any age —take a class or follow an online tutorial together—bonus points if it’s something that involves a little mess and a lot of laughter!
• Get the kids involvedSpeaking of laughter, studies indicate tremendous benefits to intergenerational connection. Kids, young adults, and seniors have more in common than you’d think—and getting them together can spark opportunities for lifelong learning, new experiences, and special connections across generations.
• Discover shared interestsIf you enjoy the theatre, art galleries, music, classic holiday movies, or culinary experiences, chances are there’s a senior in your life who does too. Partnering up to share a common interest can bring you together.

• Channel your inner artistsPicasso had to start somewhere—and an art class with your family member is a great place to begin! Even if your first few paintings end up stuffed in the back of the closet, you may discover a hidden talent, and eventually create a display-worthy collection.
• Get activeThere’s a million and one ways to get moving and seniors, in particular, enjoy tremendous benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle—finding an enjoyable activity to do together does wonders for both the mind and body. Looking for inspiration? The City of Calgary has a variety of programs and classes designed for people of all ages and levels, and don’t forget to check your local community association for ongoing activities and clubs to check out.United offers even more ways to stay active: make the most of your visit to a United community and participate with your loved one in an exciting workshop, sing along to a variety of musical guests, or learn something new from a guest speaker. Take a look at United’s monthly calendars here.
• Get involvedIf there’s something Calgarians excel at, it’s community building. If you want to support seniors in Calgary, getting involved with senior serving organizations such as the Unison Kerby Centre, Seniors Secret Service,the Veteran’s Food Bank, or the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society may be a rewarding way to give back to the community over the holidays.
• Be tourists, togetherThe city certainly shows its colours over the winter season. Grab a thermos of hot chocolate, and tour your neighbourhood and beyond to view the dazzling light displays across the city. Climb aboard the CP Rail holiday train when it makes a whistle stop in Calgary December 9. If an indoor atmosphere is more your temperature, the Calgary Public Library is sure to have a festive event that guarantees your toes stay toasty!

The common ribbon

No matter how you choose to connect with the older adult in your life, the common theme throughout this list of suggestions is time — by far the most precious gift of all. Stop by United, and see how we create special moments everyday! 

Updated December 30 2024