Hailey Tran
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be challenging, especially for children and their families. It can be tough for healthcare workers too, who are away from their loved ones. However, with a bit of creativity, it is possible to bring some cheer to patients and staff alike. Decorating rooms with holiday lights and trees can help patients feel less lonely and depressed. Hospitals often encourage patients to bring in their traditions and normalise their stay. Healthcare workers can also create a festive atmosphere by wearing holiday-themed attire and hosting potluck dinners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feelings | It is normal to feel sad, devastated, or left out if you are in the hospital during the holidays. |
| Normalizing the experience | Maintaining daily routines and bringing familiar traditions to the hospital can help normalize the experience and make patients feel more comfortable. |
| Decorations | Using seasonal decorations and lights can improve patient satisfaction and make them feel better and less alone. |
| Activities | Watching movies, exchanging gifts, creating crafts or cards, and participating in potlucks or other celebrations before or after the holidays can bring holiday cheer to the hospital. |
| Gratitude | Expressing gratitude to hospital staff through notes, gifts, or other gestures can brighten their day and foster connections. |
| Connection | Spending the holidays in the hospital can lead to deeper connections and bonding with patients, their families, and coworkers. |
| Flexibility | Being flexible with gift-opening plans, celebration timings, and traditions can help include everyone in the festivities. |
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What You'll Learn
Decorate your room with holiday lights and decorations
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be challenging, but there are ways to bring some cheer to your hospital room. Decorating your room with holiday lights and decorations can help you feel better about your situation and less lonely. It is a simple yet effective way to improve your patient experience.
When decorating your room, lights are a must-have. They will help make your hospital room feel warm and inviting. You can choose from twinkling star lights to simple fairy lights. Just be sure to ask your nurse before plugging them in and never leave them unattended.
To add some festivity without taking up too much space, a small tree with LED lights is perfect. You can find these at most stores selling holiday decorations. If you're feeling crafty, make your own garlands with construction paper or felt. This is also a great activity to do with any visiting children.
If you're celebrating with others, a unit potluck can be a great way to share a meal and enjoy some festive food. You can also plan to wear holiday-themed attire, such as scrub tops, badge reels, or props if allowed. These simple decorations and activities can help bring some holiday cheer to your hospital stay.
Remember to check with hospital staff about any regulations and adapt your decorations accordingly. By being creative and mindful of your surroundings, you can create a warm and festive atmosphere during the holidays.
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Bring familiar traditions to the hospital
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be challenging, especially for children. It can be tough to miss out on festivities and time with loved ones. However, by bringing familiar traditions into the hospital, you can create a sense of normalcy and comfort. Here are some ways to do that:
Decorate the Hospital Room:
Create a warm and inviting atmosphere by decorating the hospital room with holiday cheer. Lights are a must-have, and a small tree with LED lights can add a festive touch without taking up too much space. Be mindful of hospital regulations, and always ask before plugging in any lights.
Bring Familiar Scents:
Scents have a powerful way of evoking comfort and memories. Ask a friend or family member to bring your favorite scents in wax form, such as the smell of your grandma's homemade cookies or a fresh Christmas tree. Use a warmer to fill the room with familiar and comforting aromas, being mindful that candles are typically not permitted in hospitals.
Host a Family Sleepover:
Check with hospital staff about the possibility of having family members stay overnight. Many hospitals allow one or two family members to stay, so plan a fun trundle bed sleepover, bringing the coziness of home to the hospital room.
Maintain Gift-Giving Traditions:
If possible, plan ahead with your family about when and where you will open presents. Consider saving the opening of presents until your family can do it together at the hospital, ensuring that the patient doesn't miss out on the joy of gift-giving. Discuss how you will bring gifts to the hospital discreetly and store them securely.
Engage in Familiar Activities:
Bring familiar activities into the hospital room, such as watching your favorite holiday movies. If your child is in the hospital, involve them in crafting thank-you cards or small gifts for the staff, helping them feel included and grateful. These crafts can also be a fun way to pass the time and create meaningful connections with the caregivers.
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Host a potluck meal with staff and/or patients
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be challenging, especially when you are away from your family. However, it can also be a great opportunity to bond with your peers and patients and lift their spirits. One way to do this is by hosting a potluck meal.
If you are a resident physician, you can plan a potluck dinner with your peers. You can rent a big house, host a potluck dinner, and play games together. This can be a fun activity that everyone can look forward to. You can also trade shifts with a peer to get a particular holiday date off, although you might have to pay a premium to do so.
If you are a patient, you can plan a potluck meal with other patients and the staff. You can share dishes and enjoy a delicious meal together. This can help you build stronger relationships with the people around you. You can also create small thank-you crafts or cards for the staff who are helping you and brighten their day.
If you are a family member of a patient, you can bring in your family's traditional dishes for a potluck meal with other families and staff. You can also decorate your loved one's room with holiday decorations and lights to make their stay more cheerful and comfortable.
By hosting a potluck meal, you can spread holiday cheer and create a fun and festive atmosphere in the hospital.
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Write cards and give gifts to hospital staff
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be challenging, especially when you are away from your family and friends. It can be tough for both patients and hospital staff, who are also away from their loved ones. A simple way to spread cheer and show your appreciation for the hospital staff is by writing cards and giving gifts. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Write Cards:
- Involve your children: If you have children in the hospital, involve them in the process of writing cards or creating small thank-you crafts for the staff. It can be a fun activity for them and a way to express their gratitude.
- Make a list: Invite your child to make a list of the people they want to thank, such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists, technicians, cooks, and cleaners.
- Personalize the cards: Encourage your child to personalize each card or craft. They can write a special message, draw pictures, or add decorations to make each card unique.
- Hide the cards: Instead of handing over the cards directly, you can make it into a fun scavenger hunt by hiding the cards for each staff member to find.
- Offer craft supplies: If you need craft supplies for card-making, don't hesitate to reach out to the child life/play specialist. They may be able to provide the necessary materials or arrange for someone to bring them to you.
Give Gifts:
- Discuss gift ideas: Talk to your child about the gifts they want to give. Small tokens of appreciation, such as chocolates, cookies, or personalized items, can go a long way in brightening someone's day.
- Plan a unit potluck: If you're a staff member, consider organizing a unit potluck to share a special meal with your colleagues. It can be a fun way to bond and create lasting memories.
- Express gratitude: In addition to gifts, take the time to express your gratitude verbally. A sincere "thank you" can mean a lot to the hospital staff and make them feel valued.
Remember, the holidays are a time to spread cheer and show appreciation for those around you. By writing cards and giving gifts to hospital staff, you can make their day a little brighter and foster a sense of community during the holiday season.
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Watch your favourite movies
Watching your favourite movies in the hospital can be a great way to bring some festive cheer and normality to an otherwise challenging situation. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your favourite films during the holidays while in the hospital:
Choose Your Device
Depending on the hospital's facilities, you may be able to access movies through the bedside television, or you might prefer to bring your own WiFi-enabled device, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This can give you more freedom of choice and access to streaming platforms like Netflix.
Internet Connection
Check with the hospital staff about the availability of WiFi. Some hospitals offer free public WiFi, while others may have limited or no WiFi access. If internet access is available, ensure your device is connected to the hospital's network. You might need a password, which the staff can provide.
Licensing Requirements
It's important to be aware of licensing requirements when watching movies in a hospital setting. Even if you're watching on your own device, you may still need a license to stream or play certain movies and TV shows. This is to comply with copyright laws, and the hospital may bear responsibility for any infringement.
Plan Ahead
If you know you'll be in the hospital during the holidays, plan your movie-watching experience in advance. Create a list of your favourite movies or shows that you'd like to watch, and ensure they are available on the streaming platform you'll be using. If you're bringing your own device, make sure it's fully charged, and consider bringing any necessary chargers or power banks.
Create a Comfortable Environment
To enhance your movie-watching experience, try to create a comfortable and cosy environment. Adjust the lighting and sound levels to your preference, and consider bringing headphones or earphones for a more immersive experience. If you're watching with others, ensure there is enough seating and space for everyone to enjoy the movie together.
Watching your favourite movies in the hospital can be a great way to lift your spirits and create a sense of normality during the holidays. By planning ahead and taking advantage of available resources, you can enjoy a fun and festive movie experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Decorate their room with holiday decorations, such as twinkling star lights and a small tree. You can also involve them in holiday-themed crafts, such as making garlands or cards for hospital staff. If your child will be in the hospital over the holidays, plan ahead with your family about when and where you will open presents, ensuring your hospitalized child can join in the festivities.
Hospitals rarely stop for the holidays, and many staff members will be in the same boat as you. Consider organizing a potluck meal with your colleagues to boost morale and create a sense of community. If you're unable to get time off, try to shift your celebrations to another day that works for you and your family.
Bring the holidays to them by maintaining your usual traditions and routines as much as possible within the hospital setting. Send them handwritten cards and notes, and include them in any gift-giving traditions by opening presents together at the hospital. You can also ask hospital staff about the possibility of overnight stays, so you can spend more time with your loved one.
