 Every year, I put a shout out to my friends for leftover New Year’s Eve props. Most people throw out their hats and leis after a few days so I try to get the word out to my friends to keep me in mind before they throw anything out. It obviously works because this year I didn't have to spend anything on party supplies!
I have a great cd of Barbra Streisand at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Before the exciting countdown, she gives a moving speech and explains that Auld Lang Syne means "time remembered with fondness". This cd was the inspiration for my special New Year’s tradition at work. While the residents are coming into the recreation room, I play a disco version of Auld Lang Syne and I give out hats and leis. The music is the secret to the atmosphere. Everyone dances into the room. I also have a resident handing out unique, updated lyrics to the song. You can see that this has much more meaning than the traditional version with words that are difficult to understand.
As updated for the new Millennium by: Annette Rios, Edie Zuvanich, Jaime Cabrera & Steve Hostak.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
The new year brings us hope for peace,
A new day for mankind,
Where we can all live hand in hand
And leave all hate behind.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
When dreams they seem so far away,
Your soul can feel so low.
But love is never far away;
Your heart won't be alone.
Let's make a world where people care,
A world that knows no fear,
Where we can open up our hearts
And hold each other dear.
Our children grow, they need to know
The Future's theirs to hold.
If we can teach them how to love
Then the world can carry on.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
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Once everyone is seated, I take out my monthly calendars from the last year, I turn the music off and begin the hour by reminiscing with the residents about all the fun theme days and parties that we have had during the past year, using the calendars as a guide. I also show photographs. I take a wealth of pictures during the year. Besides experiencing and enjoying activities, I think two things are quite important. One is anticipation. Even though a program is on the calendar, many residents don't know what is happening until they walk into the recreation room. Therefore, I announce an upcoming activity over and over during the weeks beforehand so that they have something special to look forward to.
See if your computer has a way to make a slideshow that you can put on the television screen. Watching a slideshow from a previous event is rewarding and exciting, especially when residents see themselves on the screen. Remember that this generation is not used to videos so it is indeed special. I remind them how lucky we are to be able to participate in such youthful programs. I have all the calendars for the past year in front of me so I can remind them of Rice Krispie Day, M&M Day and all the fun things we did all year.
After we remember the year, I say a very special prayer that comes from my heart. I also recommend making a resolution to meet one new person every day or smile and introduce themselves to someone they don't know. I pray that in 2012, we are all younger in our hearts than ever. I remind them how lucky we are to have so many people in our lives who care. There are so many seniors in the world who wake up to nothing and nobody. We are blessed. I am blessed to have these people, my residents, my people, in my life. If you Google "New Year’s Prayers", you will find many prayers and blessings. At this point in the program, now that the meaningful part is over, it is time to party!
With party music on, I now hand out noise makers, bags of confetti (paper we cut up), and glasses of champagne ( shhh..it's really apple cider). I play the Barbra Streisand cd and we countdown! At the stroke of midnight, we pop all the balloons, drop the aluminum foil ball I had hanging from the ceiling and shout Happy New Year! It could not feel more like the real thing, because it is!
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GINGER'S CREATIVE COSTUMES AND ACTIVITIES