Benefits of Hosting a Holiday Party in Your Senior Living Community

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, there are many opportunities to gather with friends and family and celebrate meaningful moments and traditions. 

However, when you’re living in a senior living community, you might feel a bit apprehensive about the upcoming holidays, especially if you’re new to your community. The uncertainty of knowing whether this year’s festivities will reflect years past can feel overwhelming, and planning celebrations might look a bit different this year. 

At Astral at Auburn, our senior living community in Auburn, IN, is a place where life begins again, and we look forward to the holidays all year long! If you’re searching for a way to make the most out of the season’s upcoming festivities, here are some of the many benefits of hosting your own holiday party at your senior living community, with tips to make sure you throw a party to remember!

Create Social Connections

A strong social life has been linked to a wide variety of health benefits. Humans are social creatures, and having meaningful connections with the people around us has been proven to better our lives. For example, several studies have found that fostering friendships makes an individual less likely to develop depression and enjoy a longer life span.

In a senior living community, especially for someone who has recently moved in, it’s important to get to know fellow residents and develop relationships. By throwing a holiday party in your senior living community, you can celebrate with the neighbors you’ve already met, create an opportunity to meet new people and further expand your social circle. 

Establish New Traditions 

Change can be difficult for anyone, especially during the holidays. If you were the person who always hosted your family’s holiday celebrations, it might seem melancholy during this time of year without the planning and preparations. 

However, senior living offers a new opportunity to develop your special traditions while encouraging old ones! If you’re planning on inviting your family and friends to visit your community for a holiday party, you can implement your annual traditions in your new home, as well as create new traditions to ring in the holidays and commemorate this new chapter of your life!

For example, if you and your family spend a specific night of the season baking treats and watching your favorite holiday movies, you can invite them to do it in your new community. To make things a bit different, why not ask your friends and fellow residents to invite their families to create a new tradition together? This is a wonderful way to re-create your traditions while finding a new way to connect within your senior living environment. 

Tips for a Senior Living Holiday Party

Plan Ahead

Start your preparations as early as possible, especially if you need to reserve a private room in your community, like a dining room or a shared space, to provide enough room for your guests. 

Of course, you can host your gathering in your personal apartment – just make sure you can comfortably accommodate everyone on your guest list. 

Create Your Menu

Menu options are limitless, especially with the wide range of delicious holiday foods that people love to enjoy this time of year. Maybe you have traditional recipes you want to prepare yourself to ‘wow’ your guests, or you can ask those attending to bring their own dish.

Fortunately, senior living communities also provide the convenience of on-site dining. If possible, collaborate with kitchen staff to see if they could assist with your menu options. 

In addition, be mindful of any dietary restrictions, allergies or preferences your guests may have.

Ask Team Members for Help

Reach out to your community’s team members to help you with the planning process to make things easier. If you’re hosting your holiday party in a communal area, they might be able to assist with decorations, music and atmosphere to ensure you and your guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience!

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At Astral at Auburn, we understand the importance of community culture, and our mission is to celebrate a sense of belonging for each resident. Through our premier amenities, enriching social experiences and personalized care, we know you’ll live your best life at our senior living community in Auburn, IN! Visit our website to learn more!