Throughout history, festivals and celebrations have punctuated life with moments of light, sound, scent, and community. What we often think of as ‘holiday fun’ might also be doing some serious work in the brain. In care settings, festive activities can tap into psychological pathways that enrich mood, memory, and social connection.

Skills Centre Australia recognises the value of understanding how human connection and sensory experiences can influence one’s wellbeing. This care approach highlights how elements of music, colour, and shared rituals can improve the everyday experiences of those receiving support.

Memory, emotion, and brain plasticity

Music is perhaps the most studied festive modality in neuroscience. Research shows it engages a vast network of brain regions, providing a bridge between emotion, memory, and action.

A systematic review of older adults aged over 40 found listening to music and active participation (through singing or playing) increase cognitive and psychosocial function, reducing loneliness and supporting executive control.

In more focused imaging experiments, combining emotional imagery with congruent music activates core emotional and somatic brain circuits, reinforcing how music evokes deep emotional resonance.

Decoration, light, and visual familiarity

Festive decorations, lighting, and visual details do more than beatify space. They act as sensory anchors and symbolic cues that orient people emotionally. Warm colours, twinkling lights, and familiar motifs (like stars, garlands, or ornaments) can evoke nostalgia, comfort, and psychological safety.

While formal neuroscience studies specific to holiday décor is limited, environmental psychology shows that colour, light, and symbolic visuals influence mood and perceived warmth. These sensory touches can shift emotions from neutral or low, to more positive and engaged states.

Scents and the olfactory-emotion link

Smell has a direct pathway to the brain’s limbic system—the centre for emotion and memory. That is why certain scents (such as pine, cinnamon, or baking) can instantly evoke vivid memories and feelings of comfort.

In care settings, introducing gentle, familiar seasonal aromas can spark recognition and emotional grounding, connecting people to memories of family, tradition, and belonging.

Social connection, ritual, and neurochemicals

Festive activities are rarely solitary. Sharing meals, carolling, or decorating are social rituals that promote a sense of belonging. These experiences release oxytocin (the bonding hormone), which strengthens trust and emotional safety. Even synchronised actions, such as singing in unison, can heighten these effects.

Social interaction and ritual stimulate oxytocin, a neuropeptide associated with bonding, trust, and stress buffering. Even synchronised group activity (e.g., carolling, rhythmic movement) can amplify this effect. Over time, these shared moments of strength connection and resilience to stress.

Joyful activities also act as healthy distractions, redirecting focus from stress or discomfort and giving the nervous system space to reset. Rhythmic music or movement helps align the body and mind, supporting emotional balance and engagement.

Practical application in care settings

Translating these insights into practice means finding small, meaningful ways to weave festive experiences into everyday care. These include:

• Playing tailored holiday music: Use moderate volume, predictable tempo, and familiar melodies to reduce overstimulation.
• Meaningful décor and lighting: Use gentle lighting, decoration that evokes memory (photos, heirloom ornaments), and consistent visual themes.
• Safe, evocative scents: Use natural, mild scents in diffusers or potpourri, with attention to sensitives or allergies.
• Ritualised social activities: Carols, decorating workshops, storytelling or reminiscence circles, group ornament creation sessions.
• Consistency over spectacle: Rather than one big event, repeat small festive moments over days or weeks. This repetition builds emotional anchor and safety.

While festive activities offer benefits, they must be applied thoughtfully. For some, bright lights, crowded rooms, or strong scents may overwhelm. People with sensory sensitivities, dementia, or trauma histories may need pared-back versions or opt-in approaches. Always allow choice and control.

The neuroscience of Christmas festivities show that holiday elements are more than decoration, they help shape how people feel, remember, and connect. Embedding music, meaningful visuals, scent cues, and shared ritual into care experiences can restore agency, spark memory, and deepen connection.

In systems often defined by routine and safety, festive joy reminds us care is not only about treatment, but also about feeling, belonging, and shared human experience.

Our training programs at Skills Centre Australia encourage a holistic approach to care, one where evidence-based learning meets compassion. To learn more about our courses, or to enrol, contact our friendly staff on (08) 8340 6875, or visit our website, www.kcskillscentre.com.au.