Halloween through the ages : Celebrating with our elderly loved ones
As the pumpkins are carved and the autumn leaves begin to fall, Halloween once again takes centre stage, a time of costumes, spooky stories, and community fun. For children and families today, Halloween might be all about trick-or-treating, themed parties, and colourful decorations. But for our older generation, the Halloween of their childhood would have looked quite different.
At Sydenham House Care Home, we love using seasonal celebrations as a way to spark memories, promote wellbeing, and bring generations together. In this blog, we take a look at how Halloween has evolved over the decades and share some gentle, creative ways to celebrate the season with elderly loved ones.
Halloween: Then and Now
For many of our residents, childhood memories of Halloween go back to the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, a time when the holiday was far less commercialised and celebrated very differently than it is today.
What Halloween Used to Look Like:
- Homemade costumes: Outfits were made from whatever was around the house, such as old sheets, soot for makeup, and hand-me-down clothes turned into scarecrows or witches.
- Apple bobbing and parkin cake: Traditional games like apple bobbing, snap apple, and seasonal treats such as toffee apples or sticky ginger parkin were favourites.
- Bonfires and storytelling: Halloween often merged with Bonfire Night, and families gathered around fires to tell ghost stories or remember old folk traditions.
- Simple fun: There were no mass-produced decorations or supermarket costume aisles. Halloween was more about imagination, folklore, and family.
Today, Halloween has grown into a major event, full of themed entertainment, elaborate décor, and sweet-filled celebrations. But beneath the modern-day excitement, the core of Halloween remains the same: community, creativity, and seasonal reflection; all of which still resonate with our elderly loved ones.
Why Celebrating Halloween with the Elderly Matters
Celebrating seasonal events like Halloween can have a big impact on an older adult’s wellbeing, particularly for those in care settings or living alone. Here’s why:
- It brings joy and variety to daily routines
- It sparks memory and conversation, especially for those living with dementia
- It encourages social interaction and community bonding
- It allows for creativity and participation in low-pressure, inclusive ways
- It honours life stories and traditions, which helps maintain a sense of identity
At Sydenham House, we love using celebrations like Halloween as opportunities to have fun, share stories, and engage our residents in meaningful activities.
Halloween-Themed Activities for Elderly Loved Ones
Looking for ways to bring Halloween to life with an elderly family member or friend? Here are some gentle, dementia-friendly and joyful ways to celebrate together, whether you’re in a care setting or at home:
- Pumpkin Decorating (Without the Mess!)
Instead of carving, which can be tricky or unsafe, try painting or using stickers to decorate small pumpkins. This is a fun, tactile activity that allows for creativity without sharp tools.
- Autumnal Crafts
Make wreaths with autumn leaves, create Halloween-themed collages with magazine cuttings, or decorate paper ghosts and bats together. These activities support fine motor skills and create a lovely seasonal display.
- Reminiscence Sessions
Use Halloween as a starting point for conversation. Ask questions like:
- What did you do for Halloween as a child?
- Do you remember any spooky stories from your childhood?
- What were your favourite seasonal treats or traditions?
These stories are not only enjoyable but help connect families and build understanding across generations.
- Themed Baking or Tasting
Bake some simple Halloween biscuits, toffee apples, or pumpkin scones together or host a little tasting session with autumnal flavours like cinnamon, ginger, and apple. This can be a fun, sensory-rich experience.
- Costume or Hat Fun
A full costume isn’t necessary, just a simple Halloween-themed hat, headband, or scarf can bring smiles. Staff and family members dressing up (even a little) can help residents feel included in the fun.
- Spooky Sing-Along or Music Afternoon
Music is a wonderful mood booster, and even Halloween can have a musical side! Play songs like Monster Mash, Thriller, or spooky film soundtracks. Alternatively, stick to gentle autumnal favourites or big band classics to keep it more relaxing.
- Movie Afternoon
Choose light-hearted, age-appropriate Halloween films such as Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Hocus Pocus, or Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Add some popcorn and cosy blankets for the perfect seasonal cinema session.
Bringing Generations Together
Halloween also offers a brilliant opportunity for intergenerational fun. Whether it’s grandchildren visiting in costume, making decorations together, or enjoying a shared story, involving younger family members can be a wonderful way to connect and create new memories.
At Sydenham House, we love seeing our residents light up when children visit, and Halloween adds an extra layer of fun and nostalgia to those moments.
A Halloween to Remember
While Halloween may have changed over the years, its heart remains the same; a chance to celebrate the season, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.
Whether you’re lighting a pumpkin, baking something spiced and sweet, or simply sharing a warm drink while chatting about years gone by, your elderly loved one will likely appreciate the thought, time, and company more than anything else.
From all of us at Sydenham House Care Home, we wish you a safe, fun, and meaningful Halloween — however you choose to celebrate.