The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Well the fall flew by this year and we are well on our way to the most wonderful time of the year! It's really fun to plan holiday parties and holiday activities for our residents. We love to hear about the activities that the residents are looking forward to and the time they get to enjoy with their families. Our parties are so much fun with all the family members here...the more the merrier!

Our December activity calendar is always filled with activities that are run by volunteers from our community. We have many entertainers, church choirs and youth groups that like to visit this time of year. A good part of our activity programs are holiday themed as well. We try to re-create memories of the holidays and holiday traditions for the residents. What are some of the holiday memories & traditions that you have this time of year?

Every year growing up, I remember going to the local tree farm, picking out and cutting down our Christmas tree. After bringing the tree in the house & making sure it was straight in its stand, my dad would go downstairs and let us girls decorate the tree and the house. We always played Bing Crosby's White Christmas album, which was a tradition my mom had from her childhood. Now when I decorate my own house, I play that same album, which brings back so many happy memories.

Here at Park River we have our own holiday traditions. We have our Secret Santa Tree, the Sharing Tree & our Christmas & New Year's Eve parties. The Secret Santa Tree is decorated in the front lobby with ornaments, each containing a residents gift wish list. If you would like to buy a Christmas gift for a resident, take an ornament, buy the gift(s) listed, wrap and attach the ornament and return it to the Therapy Department by December 14th.

Our Sharing Tree is also located in the front lobby. This tree is decorated with new or gently used hats, mittens, scarves, coats & boots that are then donated to Coon Rapids Head Start for the children in our community who are in need. We team up with the Coon Rapids VFW for this project and donate the items on December 14th.

Our Christmas Party will be on December 21st @ 2:00. All residents and their families are welcome to come and have some holiday cocktails, treats and have a special visit from Santa! The residents are given their gifts from the Secret Santa Tree at this party. It's so much fun to watch them open their gifts!

Our New Year's Eve Party will be on December 31st @ 2:00. We will have music with Lynn Brownell, cocktails, appetizers and a champagne toast. As with all our parties, families are invited & encouraged to come to make it extra special for our residents!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, making memories & spending as much time as you can with the ones you love. ;-)