Bring the flavours of Italy to your aged care centre with a red, white and green Italian night, complete with some old-time favourite spaghetti westerns.
There is almost nobody on earth who doesn’t enjoy Italian food in some way, shape or form and aged care residents are no exception.
For your next theme event, consider a creative twist on all things Italian by hosting a Spaghetti Western Night.
These ideas will get your event underway:
‘Spaghetti Western’ films were produced in the 1960s, when many of your aged care residents were in their prime. These movies got their names because they were produced and directed by Italians, despite being set in America’s ‘Wild West’. Many of the films were spoken in Italian and later dubbed in English.
Over 600 films can claim to be part of this genre but the most commonly known include the following titles:
- A Fistful of Dollars
- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
- Once Upon a Time in the West
- Django
- A Bullet for the General
To decorate your aged care facility for this event, stick with your Spaghetti Western theme and set up a saloon vibe.
Cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and neckerchiefs all reflect a western feel. Sheriff’s badges and handlebar moustaches can be fun accessories for your residents. If you have the budget, hay bales, a few yellowed ‘Wanted’ posters and some chequered tablecloths will add to the ambience.
While corsets and lace-up boots may be asking a little too much, women may like to have a lacy fan or feather boa, a là the stereotypical Saloon girl. A selection of hats and a black and white photo booth can also be fun (an iPhone with a filter can easily capture a few light-hearted moments).
Play a soundtrack from your favourite Spaghetti Westerns or track down some piano music that would have been played in the 1800s.
Download free Spaghetti Western Night menu template and table talker
Would your Spaghetti Western night be complete without spaghetti? Residents who are dexterous enough to enjoy this dish will be pleased to have it on the menu with a carbonara (bacon, cheese and mushroom) or meat and tomato-based sauce.
Some alternative dishes, which may be easier for your residents to manage include:
- Potato and cauliflower pizza with asparagus, broccoli and bacon
- Chicken Lasagne Primavera
- Chunky Minestrone Soup
- Pumpkin Alfredo
- Beef Mince Cannelloni
For dessert, consider the following tempting treats:
Disclaimer: The content of this article is created for inspiration purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, medical or nutritional advice.
