DECEMBER VISITOR CENTER KITS – Montessori-Inspired Christmas Time Kits for Family Visits
Designed so families can have purposeful, calm, and meaningful visits without needing staff direction.
All kits are dementia-friendly and low-prep.
Setting up your December Visitor Center
Location & Environment
-
A clean, uncluttered table
-
Two comfortable chairs (or more depending on space)
-
A warm lamp or soft lighting (avoid bright or flickering lights)
-
Neutral background (simple, calm décor)
Display & Accessibility
-
Kits arranged neatly on a shelf or cart
-
Each kit labelled clearly (large-font, sans serif)
-
Simple instruction cards included inside each kit
-
A small bin or basket for “Used Kits — Please Return Here”
Signage
-
Clear, welcoming sign:
“Family Visit Activity Kits – Please Enjoy!” -
Optional secondary sign:
“Choose any kit. Instructions are inside.”
Safety & Dementia-Friendly Design
-
No glass, glitter, or choking hazards
-
No clutter or items that look edible
-
Consider a chair with armrests for safe transitions
-
Avoid overstimulating colours or patterns
DECEMBER VISITOR CENTER KITS
Montessori-Inspired Christmas Time Kits for Family Visits
1. Holiday Card-Making & Signing Kit
Purpose: Connect through a familiar, simple, hand-use activity.
Contents:
-
Pre-folded blank cards in classic winter and Christmas designs (avoid glitter)
-
Large felt-tip pens (dark blue/black/red)
-
Stickers (snowflakes, stars, Santa, snowmen, Rudolph, evergreen branches)
-
Template messages printed in large font
-
Envelopes + pre-printed “To:” labels
Instructions (for families):
“Help your loved one select a card and decorate it together.
You can sign the card for them using their own words or short phrases.”
2. Ornament-Assembling Kit (Non-glass, Safe Materials)
Purpose: Provide a simple, hands-on, seasonal task.
Contents:
-
Pre-cut wooden ornaments (Santa, stars, trees, circles)
-
Markers (non-toxic)
-
Ribbons pre-cut
-
Stick-on gems
Instructions:
“Choose an ornament and decorate it together.
Your loved one may enjoy placing stickers or threading the ribbon.
Finished ornaments can hang in their room.”
3. Warm Memory Basket Kit
Purpose: Stimulate gentle reminiscence without overwhelming sensory input.
Contents:
-
Soft scarf or shawl
-
Laminated winter scene photos (Canadian snow, skating, cozy fireplace)
-
Small stuffed animal (safe soft texture)
-
Scented cotton pad (vanilla or cinnamon)
-
Short conversation prompts (large font)
Instructions:
“Take out one item at a time.
Share a memory or simply enjoy the feel and warmth of the items together.”
4. “Winter Helpers” Sorting & Assembly Kit
Purpose: Give residents a sense of usefulness and role-based engagement.
Contents:
-
12–20 holiday treat bags (non-food)
-
Tissue paper squares
-
Ribbons and pre-cut tags
-
Simple items to place inside (stickers, bookmarks, felt shapes)
Instructions:
“Help your loved one assemble winter treat bags that staff will distribute.
Guide them gently: ‘Can you place one ribbon in each bag?’”
5. Cookie-Plate Building Kit (No Real Food Necessary)
Purpose: Familiar holiday task without safety risks or dietary restrictions.
Contents:
-
Felt or foam cookies
-
Small Christmas plate
-
Laminated example photos
-
“Assemble the cookie plate” instruction card
Instructions:
“Invite your loved one to build a festive cookie plate.
Recreate the example or make your own design.”
6. December “Cozy Reading” Kit
Purpose: Slow-paced, quiet bonding.
Contents:
-
Large-print short stories or poems
-
Photo books of Canadian winter nature
-
Lap blanket
-
Warm-feel comfort item (soft plush or textured pillow)
Instructions:
“Sit together, read a short poem or flip through winter scenes.
Let the moment be quiet and peaceful.”
7. Simple Decorating Helper Kit
Purpose: Give residents a purposeful committee-style role.
Contents:
-
A small tabletop tree or wreath
-
Non-breakable ornaments
-
Velcro-backed decorations
-
Photo showing finished product
Instructions:
“Help your loved one decorate a small tree or wreath.
Use the photo as inspiration or create your own style.”
If you didn’t already have a Visitor Center then you will want to let families know about the one you’ve set up for this special time of year. Below is a warm, professional, family-friendly letter you can send to families to introduce and explain the Visitor Center.
December Family Letter
Introducing Our December Visitor Center
Dear Families and Friends,
As we enter the month of December, we know this season can bring joy, reflection, and meaningful moments with the people we love. We also know that long-term care can feel especially busy this time of year, and that visits may look a little different for residents living with dementia.
To help make your time together easier, calmer, and more meaningful, we are pleased to introduce our December Visitor Center — a self-serve space designed to support activity-based, purposeful, and enjoyable visits with your loved one.
This Visitor Center is part of our Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® approach, which focuses on creating hands-on, engaging, and dignity-supporting experiences for residents and families.
What Is the December Visitor Center?
It’s a small, inviting area set up with ready-to-use activity kits and simple instructions that help families enjoy time together without needing staff assistance.
These kits are thoughtfully designed for residents with dementia:
-
Simple
-
Familiar
-
Purposeful
-
Safe and sensory-friendly
They give families an easy way to connect, even on days when conversation is challenging or attention spans are short.
What You’ll Find Inside
Each kit includes everything you need for a calm, meaningful visit. Examples include:
Holiday Card-Making Kit
Create or decorate cards together using large-print templates and festive stickers.
Ornament Decorating Kit
Use non-breakable ornaments, ribbons, and markers to make something to hang in your loved one’s room.
Warm Winter Memory Basket
Flip through cozy winter photos, hold soft textures, or enjoy familiar scents like vanilla or cinnamon.
“Winter Helpers” Sorting Kit
Assemble small treat bags or decorative bundles — perfect for residents who love to help.
Cozy Reading Kit
Sit together with large-print winter poems, simple short stories, or nature picture books.
Each kit includes a simple instruction card so you can begin quickly and easily.
Why Activity-Based Visits?
For people living with dementia, traditional sit-and-talk visits can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Hands-on, familiar activities often work better because they:
-
Reduce anxiety
-
Spark positive memories
-
Support dignity and independence
-
Create shared moments, not pressure
-
Give structure to the visit
-
Encourage the resident to take part at their own pace
This is all part of our commitment to Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® practices.
A Few Tips for a Calm December Visit
- Keep noise and visual stimulation low
- Choose smaller, quieter spaces
- Go slowly — let your loved one set the pace
- One activity is enough
- Enjoy the moment more than the outcome
- If your loved one prefers to simply hold or look at items, that’s perfectly okay
Remember: Connection comes from being together, not from completing a task.
Where to Find the Visitor Center
The December Visitor Center is located:
[Insert location — e.g., just inside the main lounge / outside the activity room / next to the nursing station]
All kits are self-serve. When you’re finished, simply return them to the basket on the shelf so we can refresh them for the next family.
We’re Excited to Share This With You
December is a meaningful month for many families. Our hope is that the Visitor Center helps create moments of comfort, joy, and connection for you and your loved one — moments that feel warm, calm, and purposeful.
If you have ideas for additional kits or activities – for any time of year – we would love to hear them!
Wishing you and your family a peaceful, gentle, and meaningful December and a very Merry Christmas.
Warmly,
