Reflecting on Christmas Carols: Lessons to Carry Into 2025 - By: Patrick Zeiszen Guanlao

Jan 222 min read

The holiday season may be behind us, but the memories of our Christmas caroling are here to stay—and the lessons we learned? Those will guide us through 2025 and beyond.

Last December, our class at Kauri Academy embarked on a festive caroling journey that took us to Awanui Resthome, the AKA Campus, and Fairview Care in Albany. It wasn’t just about singing holiday tunes; it was about spreading joy, creating connections, and learning what it truly means to make an impact as future diversional and recreational therapists.

We kicked things off at Awanui Resthome in Mt. Wellington with a lively dance to “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey. The room was filled with laughter, clapping, and even a few dance moves from the residents. From there, we sang classics like Jingle Bell Rock and Feliz Navidad, ending with a heartfelt “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Next up was our own AKA Campus in Auckland CBD, where we brought the same energy to our peers and faculty. It was amazing to see how music could unite a group of people from different cultures and walks of life. Finally, we made our way to Fairview Care in Albany, where we added a little something extra—a short chair yoga session before our performance. The residents loved it, and we could see how much they appreciated the care and thought we put into making the event special.

Throughout these stops, we sprinkled in surprise performances and smaller events here and there, always focusing on the joy of connection. If there’s one thing our caroling adventure taught us, it’s that the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. Whether it’s a smile, a song, or just showing up, these moments of connection matter more than we often realize.

This is the heart of what we do as diversional and recreational therapists: creating spaces where people feel valued, included, and uplifted. The caroling reminded us that while some of us may not have the best singing voices (I’ll own up to it!), it’s the effort, the enthusiasm, and the shared experience that count.

As we step into 2025, I’m holding onto the lesson that connection is everything. We’re not just a class; we’re a family, and that bond makes us stronger, more compassionate, and more prepared to make a difference in the world. Let’s keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year—creating joy, embracing imperfection, and always leading with kindness. To my classmates and to everyone reading: Happy New Year! May 2025 be filled with harmony, laughter, and meaningful connections.