Holiday Magic in Senior Living Communities
Residing in a senior living community allows us to experience the magic of the holidays with newfound friends and special initiatives.
“There’s always some event here around the holidays where if you’re a single person, have no family, or are far from loved ones, you will always have festivities to enjoy and partake in here. As a single person, they make it easy to find groups you can join in and make friends.”
-Sue, Twin Lakes resident
The Benefits of Celebrating Holidays
A holiday is a day or period of time designated for important occasions or recreational activities that celebrate a cultural heritage, commemorate a historical event, or honor a religious belief. Celebrating holidays allows us to:
- Combat loneliness, as shown in a 2017 AARP study, and foster relations with family and friends
- Create and maintain special traditions
- Enjoy nostalgia and make new memories
- Give back to the community
- Pause, reflect, and grow in our spirituality
- Preserve our cultural identities and heritage
Senior living communities offer abundant opportunities for residents to embrace the holiday spirit during any observance throughout the year.
1. Charity
Holidays inspire a sense of goodwill, so it’s encouraging to have residents:
- Donate to charitable organizations and important causes
- Give away unwanted belongings, food, or crafts for fundraising initiatives
- Volunteer their time to special holiday events and programs, such as a food or toy drive
2. Decorating
Decorating allows us to be creative in a variety of ways during a holiday:
- Collaborating with neighbors to decorate community spaces with seasonal garland, wreaths, and sayings that put everyone in the holiday spirit
- Personalizing your home with holiday decorations, from outdoor lights and inflatables to indoor ornamentation and festive scents that engage the senses
- Wearing festive clothes like ugly sweaters during Christmas or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July
3. Dining Experiences
Senior living communities encourage residents to enjoy holiday meals through:
- Dining services that curate cultural dishes and nutritional options to support and welcome every lifestyle
- Housing accommodations and event spaces that allow residents to host their own holiday gatherings, whether they utilize their community’s catering services or make their own comfort foods
- Special opportunities to take a cooking class, share recipes, and learn about the significance of holiday dishes
4. Events
There are many events senior living communities produce for residents to experience in an easy and accessible manner:
- City outings to enjoy performances, see the lights, shop at markets, and take part in festivals
- Family-friendly events that encourage residents to invite their loved ones to an intergenerational activity, such as trick-or-treating and hunting for Easter eggs
- Holiday parties for residents to enjoy food and friendship with their community neighbors
5. Programs
Senior living communities constantly have programs running that touch on holidays and seasonal observances:
- Arts and crafts classes where participants can make cards, gifts, ornaments, wreaths, and more
- Educational experiences to learn about other cultures and share stories about your heritage
- Holiday-focused reading, music, and movies to enjoy together
- Religious services promoted by the pastoral care team
Explore how you can make the most of retirement in our ebook, Lifestyle Opportunities in Senior Living Communities!
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.