November 18, 2024
Celebrating the holidays in an Independent Living Community offers a unique blend of cherished traditions and new experiences. Whether it's decorating your living spaces, participating in seasonal events or giving back to the community, seniors have many ways to bring special meaning to their holiday celebrations. We share tips below to help make this holiday season even more festive with seniors at the heart of the festivities.
Adding personal touches that bring your favorite traditions to life is an ideal way to create a holiday environment that feels special to you. Here are a few ideas to make your home in your Life Plan Community festive for both upcoming holidays.
For Thanksgiving, consider setting up a cozy dining area with centerpieces inspired by the season. Choose pumpkins, gourds and autumn leaves to create a warm, inviting space. To add a personal touch, you can also incorporate handmade crafts, such as fall wreaths or table runners.
As Christmas approaches, swap out your fall-themed decor for festive yuletide decorations. Adding string lights, ornaments and small Christmas trees can easily transform your home into a winter wonderland. Whether you prefer traditional decorations or something more modern, the key is to create a space that reflects your style and brings you joy during the holidays.
Whatever way you decide to decorate, keep safety in mind by ensuring all cords are safely tucked away to prevent trip hazards, or consider battery-operated decorations that eliminate cords altogether. Choose lightweight decorations that are easier for older adults to set up and take down independently without the risk of injury.
Staying active and involved in holiday events within and outside your Independent Living Community is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. From local gatherings on campus to local outings, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate at Royal Oaks, a Life Plan Community in Sun City, Arizona.
Sun City was specifically planned and developed as a senior living community, so the local recreation centers always have numerous holiday events that appeal to older adults each year. Check out the events pages at these centers to find lists of fun activities taking place throughout the holidays.
One popular annual event is the Holiday Celebration at Sundial Auditorium. This celebration takes place on December 13 this year, starting at 3:30 p.m. Seniors can enjoy live music, food trucks, reindeer games, holiday treats, a Ho-Ho-Hole in One miniature golf tournament, the holiday golf cart tour and much more.
Just down the road in Goodyear, Arizona, seniors can participate in Holidays on the Square at the Goodyear Civic Square Park. This event takes place on the first three Fridays in December, from 5 to 9 p.m., with food trucks, a shopping alley, tree lighting and live entertainment.
Because Phoenix is a short drive from Sun City, seniors can easily access even more holiday events and activities. Holiday events in Phoenix are plentiful, including holiday light shows, festivals, socials and extravaganzas. Many of these activities start right after Thanksgiving and run through December, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check out multiple events.
At Royal Oaks, residents can visit the activities boards displayed on campus or the Learning Tree catalog to find various seasonal events taking place on and off campus. These listings include the details of fun holiday activities you won’t want to miss.
The holiday season also offers the perfect time to give back to the local community on and off campus. Whether through donating resources, time or skills, seniors find countless volunteer opportunities, including holiday-specific community service projects. Volunteering allows you to bring joy to others while providing a sense of purpose and creating meaningful connections during this special time of year. Organizations seeking volunteers to spread kindness and goodwill include:
Royal Oaks also organizes volunteering opportunities on and off campus. Volunteer programs on campus include helping your neighbors and friends. Alternatively, you can volunteer in the surrounding community at local hospitals, hospices, churches, thrift shops, food banks, community centers and many more organizations seeking your time, talent, support and enthusiasm.
While getting wrapped up in the holiday bustle is easy, don’t forget to maintain your comfort and wellness throughout the season. The busier you are, the more tempting it can become to let your normal routines slide. However, sticking to regular habits, such as staying active, getting enough sleep and eating well, helps you stay healthy, energized and better equipped to manage the busyness and excitement of the holidays.
Additionally, paying attention to your mental health and emotional well-being during this potentially stressful time is essential. At Royal Oaks, we take a holistic approach to residents’ well-being, including mind, body and spirit. Emotional well-being is one of our Seven Dimensions of Well-Being that includes living mindfully. Many resources are available if you need additional emotional or mental health support during the holidays or any time of the year.
Looking for more information on spending the holidays in a senior living community? Schedule a visit to Royal Oaks by calling 623-208-6621, and we’ll be happy to share how residents enjoy their holidays here.
