It’s that time of year when the LAI spreadsheet fills up quickly! We know that many of you are starting to prepare your holiday greetings for our seniors. LAI prides itself on being an inclusive organization, both for our writers and our recipients. We urge you to follow a few guidelines which your Leadership Team has spent hours discussing.
Thank you Tyler, Tom, Margret, Julianna, Connie, and Alicia for sharing photos of your stunning holiday cards!
Did you know that in additional to Christmas, December celebrations include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Mawlid el-Nabi, Boxing Day, Omisoka, Las Posadas, St. Lucia’s Day, St. Nicholas Day, Hogmanau, and HumanLight (and Festivus!)?
Our amazing volunteers and beloved seniors span the globe and we don’t have much information about each individual’s personal beliefs or religious affiliation. Rather than possibly offending someone with a holiday-specific card, we urge you to consider sending non-denominational messages welcoming winter and wishing happiness in the new year. Please realize that many nursing home residents don’t have families or worse, have families who do not visit. Pictures of a jolly Santa or a decorated tree surrounded by lots of gifts may elicit feelings of sadness about what’s been lost.
Some examples of the themes we endorse:
Snowpeople
Snowflakes
Icicles
Hot Cocoa/Cider
Snow Covered Mountains
Mittens, Hats & Scarves
Birds, Rabbits and Puppies in the Snow
If the absolute only way you can get into the holiday spirit is by sending Christmas cards, PLEASE label them as such, so the staff at each of our partner facilities may distribute them appropriately.
Of course, if you are corresponding regularly with a senior pen pal and know more about them, you will have some latitude when sending holiday-specific wishes.
THANK YOU for respecting one of the founding principles of Letters Against Isolation. As always, if you have specific questions, feel free to get in touch: lai.volunteer.rep@gmail.com
Each of you is a valued member of the LAI community and we would not be the successful organization we’ve become without YOU!
Wishing you peace, joy, laughter and good health,
Saffron and Shreya, Co-Founders
Alissa and Ellen, Volunteer Coordinators