Valentine’s Day can be potentially lonely for those in a recovery center or elderly care facility. At Rockaway Care Center, we try to make the day fun for all with a variety of activities. At the same time, visitors, and loved ones who live far away, often ask us what might be good Valentine’s Day gifts. So, we’ve put together our top 3 ideas to show your love on Valentine’s Day with gifts for Rockaway Care Center residents.

1. Handmade cards. Anyone can buy a card, but when you take the time to really create it yourself, the recipient appreciates it a thousand fold. No matter what age you are, you can sit down and draw something, and then include a personal, heartfelt message. One idea is to write about one or more aspects of the person that you love. In addition, this is a great project for involving children who know the Rockaway Care Center resident. Kids tend to love to draw cards, and when they hand, or send, their card to their loved one, both giver and receiver benefit mutually.
2. Personalized Photo Wall Calendar. You know all those uploaded family or friend photos you’ve got sitting in computer folders, awaiting someone to do something with them? Here’s your opportunity. Every photo website has an option to create a calendar, and there are usually a few options for design – for example, you can choose one photo per month, or several.  Imagine the joy your loved one will have by having these photos up on their wall, month in, month out. Oh, and by the way, if you’re not into making a calendar, you can also choose to create T-shirts, mugs, small albums, or other paraphernalia with your photos. Tip: Two popular photo upload sites are Shutterfly and Snapfish.
3. A Sing-Along. If you plan on visiting your loved one at Rockaway Care Center on Valentine’s Day, gather together some oldies-but-goodies that they will likely remember. You can either play them on your music player, or print out the lyrics and have a sing-along all together in their room.If you’re unable to visit in person, you can make a recording that can be played back to them. Those who are able to visit can bring it to them, or you can mail it to them.

It’s not difficult to come up with personalized ways to show your love for your cherished family member or friend on occasion of Valentine’s Day. Every Rockaway Care Center resident appreciates being appreciated, and all it takes is a little creativity and time to show you care. Happy Valentine’s Day!