Mark your calendars! Let us Celebrate Saint David’s Day every March 1st in every year! It’s a cultural celebration! Seniors in aged care will love participating, and activity coordinators can find immense joy in organizing this special event.
This day holds particular significance for any Welsh residents you may have, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for everyone to learn more about this fascinating tradition.
Information About Saint David
Celebrate Saint David, the patron saint of Wales! Born in the 6th century (not the 12th), he passed away on March 1st, 589 AD. This date became a day to honor his achievements.
Renowned as a teacher and preacher, Saint David established monasteries and churches throughout Wales. He was even known to perform miracles, like the one where he stood atop a high hill, his voice reaching all corners to inspire the Welsh people.
Saint David’s Day is not a national holiday but remains one of Wales’s proudest traditions, with festivals and parades being held all around the country in towns and cities, children sing and dance and dress up in traditional Welsh costumes.
Ideas for Hosting Saint David’s Day in Aged Care
Plan a special day on the 1st of March with lots of activities! Overwhelmed with how you can celebrate it? Don’t worry, we prepared a step-by-step guide that you can follow along.
Decorations for Saint David’s Day
Leading up to Saint David’s Day decorate the activity or dining room with Welsh decorations.
- Daffodil Delights: Fill the room with the cheerful glow of bright yellow daffodils, the national flower of Wales. Arrange them in vases, create centerpieces, or even string them as cheerful bunting.
- Dragons Take Flight: Unfurl the iconic Welsh dragon flag! Hang it proudly or drape it across tables for a touch of Welsh pride.
- A Glimpse of Wales: Spark conversations and showcase Welsh culture with a display of photos featuring famous Welsh landmarks, historical figures, or even traditional attire.
Dressing Up
Encourage staff to dress up in Welsh costumes. The traditional Welsh costume is a costume worn by rural women in Wales. It is common to be made up of Black & Red Check Coat with white undergarments and a large black hat.
Easy to make Daffodil badge for St David’s Day
You will need:
- Egg carton
- Orange paint
- Yellow card
- Glue
- Safety pin
- Sticky tape
Instructions:
Cut one of the egg compartments from the egg box and paint it orange. Leave to dry. Cut out a flower shape from a yellow card. Glue the egg compartment to the center as the trumpet. When the daffodil is completely dry, tape a safety pin to the back so that you can wear it.
Food to serve
It wouldn’t be a Welsh celebration without some traditional tasty Welsh luncheon!
Plan a Welsh lunch on the day with choices like Welsh cakes, Welsh rarebit (cheesy toast), Welsh Cawl (soup) or chicken and leek pie and Monmouth Pudding for dessert
Run a Quiz
\Quizzes are fun and encourage interaction between staff and residents. We have prepared a fun quiz about everything Wales and St David’s day!
Music for Saint David’s Day
Many of our seniors grew up listening to music legends from Wales! Play Welsh music or watch a concert after lunch such as Tom Jones & Shirley Bassey.
Here is an excellent Tom Jones Live concert we have chosen for you.
