Why this helps:

A collaborative craft that welcomes the season creates a lasting visual anchor. For someone with dementia, decorating a branch with simple, lightweight ornaments taps into lifelong memories of holiday preparation and gives a sense of accomplishment that can be admired for weeks. The act of creating together—choosing colors, placing ornaments—provides gentle sensory and cognitive engagement.

One of 365 ways to say I care to a loved one with dementia: An Easter egg tree composed of a branch, some paper Easter eggs tied to the tree with a ribbon, and placed into a flower pot.

How to do it:

  • Find a bare branch (or a small potted tree) and place it in a sturdy vase.
  • Gather lightweight decorations: paper eggs, ribbons, small fabric flowers, or even photos on string.
  • Work side by side to hang them. There’s no right way—just creating something beautiful together

Pro tip:

Use soft, pastel colors and items that are easy to handle. If fine motor skills are challenging, you can hold the ornament while they guide where it goes.

Comfort note:

If they tire of decorating, simply place the branch where it can be seen and enjoy adding one or two items another day. The process can be spread out.

Novelty Journaling:

What part of decorating did they enjoy most—choosing colors, hanging an ornament, or just watching? How does our spring tree make the room feel?

Consider personalizing the cover of your journal in which you are recording anecdotal responses about your loved one engaged in the creative arts of this series. This kind of writing done by the dementia care partner intentionally breaks routines and explores new perspectives which contribute to personal growth for both the elder and the care partner.

Cover of journal for observing and recording responses of older loved ones engaged in creative arts. This kind of writing done by the dementia care partner intentionally breaks routines and explores new perspectives which contribute to personal growth for both the elder and the care partner.

Today’s neuroscience research reveals to us that this kind of writing can change our brains and alter the ways in which we respond. Caregiving can be a launching pad for personal growth. It is nothing short of life-altering.

Caregiver note:

You don’t need a real tree—a few foraged branches from the yard work beautifully. Let the decorations be simple: paper cutouts, ribbons, even old holiday cards punched with a hole. Once it’s up, leave it for weeks. Each time you pass, you’ll both be reminded: spring is here, and we made this together.

Blog Author:

Zulekha ("Zuley") is a brilliant content writer who demonstrates empathy and compassion in storytelling.

Zulekha Ali (“Zuley”) is a freelance writer with a commitment to delivering informative and impactful content to enrich readers’ understanding and empower them to make informed decisions.

Blog Co-Author:

Susan Troyer, MS, BA, is author and curator of ABeautifulVoice.org.

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