Lucky Charm Lunch

Lucky you! Here is a fun party that you can do in your retirement community which can be adapted to any level of care.

I called this a Lucky Charm Luncheon. I was interested in knowing if the residents had anything in their possession that they held onto because it brought them good luck. I held this party on Friday the 13th and promoted that it was not an un-lucky day, but that it was going to be a great, fun, lucky day instead. The next Friday the 13th comes in July, so now is a great time to make your plans and get this onto your calendar.

I kept the number attending the lunch small and put the program into our private dining room so that it felt more intimate. The goal for the lunch was to have the residents share the story behind the item that they brought to the party.

At the lunch, I decorated the table with some items that are associated with bringing luck. These items were a rabbits foot (key chain), a horseshoe (make sure that is facing the proper direction - which is so that the open end is at the top), four-leaf clovers (I used items from my St. Patrick's Day decorations,but I'm sure there are other items that you can find.) I came into the party with facts about each of the items on the table - including the salt shaker (which you through over your shoulder), and mentioned others that were not on the table. Then I asked them to share what they had brought with the group. For dessert at the lunch or party, you could serve a cupcake with Lucky Charm cereal on it, Lucky Charm cookies or Lucky Charm Bars. (Please stop by the store at the top of the page called Resources for Activities Directors for more ideas.)

This was a fun way to poke fun of the negativity of Friday the 13th and to get to know the residents better. They learned something unique about each other also that day.

This program could be done with a different twist also. You can change the focus from good luck charms to charm bracelets. Charm bracelets are timeless and yet no matter when you got yours, they all have a story to tell. This is a great way to hear all about the lives as they discuss the charms meanings.

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