Pretty garland is a special festive and inexpensive treat and easy to hang from cup hooks. Holiday music is a must at our home to get into the spirit of things. Singing carols or other familiar songs too. If they like soda, use 7-Up and add some maraschino juice and a cherry. So pretty! How about a Santa hat to wear (& be warm)? Any thing easy and fun!

my mom hasnt done holidays for many years, nor myself for that matter. i usedta brighten the house by firing up a batch of brotchen rolls. breadmaking is a process that is leisurely, involves the whole household, takes a predictable amount of time, creates great anticipation , and a reward at the end. im pushing brotchen rolls here. you make em with 25% whole wheat flour and noone ever expects them to be the same each time. they might be split in half with chicken salad on them or they may be filled with chicken , vegs, and cheese.
thats how i would brighten up the home and with my mother being extreme bipolar for many years, providing a cheery atmosphere in the home was my most important function.

Grandma's favorite ornament may be a fifty year old Menorah or Nativity scene with incandescent bulbs. Check thoroughly for dried and cracking wires and loose connections on the plug. It may have been perfectly safe for many years, but old wiring causes many a fire. Get it rewired if you can.

I would like to see other "holiday" ideas. Valentives day, presidents day, St. Patrick's day, July 4th, Memorial day, Thanksgiving. I would also like activities for the elderly and stroke patients.