A Season of Joy: Holidays at Cedarhurst Senior Living

At Cedarhurst Senior Living, the holidays aren’t confined to just a day or two on the calendar. Instead, they’re a full season of laughter, connection, and festive enjoyment. From Thanksgiving pumpkins to New Year’s sparklers and everything in between, the spirit of the season fills every corner of each community.

Cedarhurst communities make sure that residents can continue their own favorite holiday rituals—baking cookies, lighting candles, or decorating trees—while discovering new ways to celebrate with friends, neighbors, and family.

At the heart of it all are the values that make the season so meaningful: joy, tradition, community, and personal connection.

In this guide, we'll discuss:

• The Holidays Are an Experience, Not Just a Date
• Personalized Traditions: Honoring Your Story
• Signature Seasonal Events at Cedarhurst
• FAMILIES, COMMUNITY, AND THE CEDARHURST TEAM
• The Heart of the Holidays Lives at Cedarhurst
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Holidays Are an Experience, Not Just a Date

Holidays can feel different later in life as traditions evolve and life circumstances change.

Cedarhurst understands that and believes that the season should be something to look forward to regardless, with an approach that creates opportunities for residents to continue their long-held traditions while embracing new experiences. 

“We offer a variety of support and different activities to be able to bring joy during that time of year,” TARA BURROW, director of engagement and education at Cedarhurst, said.

Instead of a single day, week, or celebration, Cedarhurst communities extend the festivities across the entire season. This approach mirrors the way most families celebrate at home: with religious services, creative projects, and special gatherings that fill the weeks with energy and anticipation. Flexibility and a variety of programs and events ensure everyone can join in something they love. 

“By celebrating a season instead of a day, we're meeting multiple needs,” Burrow said. “In day-to-day life, when the holidays hit, you're making plans—you might be going to a holiday party with friends one weekend and taking your family out to look at lights the next. The idea behind it is when residents move into Cedarhurst communities, they're living the same type of life they would if they still lived in their home.”

That sense of balance and choice defines the holidays at Cedarhurst. Residents decide the level of participation that feels right, whether they choose to head out for a tour of holiday lights or a wreath-making party, or they decide to stay home to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and some quiet time. Events are offered but not required, so everyone engages on their own terms.

Personalized Traditions: Honoring Your Story

Each resident brings a lifetime of memories and traditions to their Cedarhurst community. Team members take the time to learn about each resident’s background, listening to stories about family celebrations, cultural practices, and meaningful holiday moments. These insights guide event planning for the season, ensuring that it feels personalized and full of connection.

Inclusivity remains central to each community’s approach. Cedarhurst recognizes and honors the many different ways people celebrate this time of year, welcoming traditions from a wide range of faiths and cultures. The result is a season that feels both diverse and unified, where every resident sees their own story reflected. 

Personalized traditions come to life in a variety of ways: 

• Holiday decorating: Do you and your family spend lots of time decking the halls? You’re invited to take part in community decorating events, including hanging ornaments and designing festive displays. 
• Spiritual celebrations: Do you prioritize religious services during this time of year? Join in on-site observances or welcome visiting clergy to lead meaningful services and programs throughout the season. 
• Cultural and culinary traditions: Does your family cook special or unique holiday foods? Dive into community recipe exchanges, themed meals, and more.

Each community connects your individual story with others to create a collective celebration that feels both comforting and new. It’s a place where long-held traditions thrive and new memories are made alongside friends, neighbors, and family.

Signature Seasonal Events at Cedarhurst

Every Cedarhurst community lights up during the holiday season with events and programs that bring everyone together to celebrate. These aren’t ordinary activities; they’re experiences designed to spark creativity and connection. 

Gingerbread House Contest

This annual favorite transforms classic cookie decorating into an art form. In fact, cookies aren’t involved at all—this friendly competition involves designing and building a 4-foot-tall gingerbread-style house out of cardboard. During this group effort engineered by residents, team members, and family members, each structure becomes a one-of-a-kind creation complete with lights, icing details, and imaginative themes. Entries are judged by the Cedarhurst home office, and playful trophies are awarded to celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and teamwork. 

Click the video below to see entries from past Gingerbread House competitions:

Music and Performances

Few things capture the spirit of the holiday season like music. Each community fills its halls with cheerful performances, including caroling groups from local schools, resident-led singing and music programs, and community-wide readings of The Night Before Christmas.

Arts, Crafts, and Baking

The season’s creative energy shines through hands-on workshops and gatherings. Residents enjoy cookie-decorating parties, wreath-making sessions, ornament design projects, and holiday card-writing events. These opportunities encourage artistic expression while fostering camaraderie as neighbors share stories and laughter around craft tables. 

Festive Outings

The holiday spirit extends beyond the community’s doors. Join a group outing to see light displays, attend local concerts, or go to nearby holiday events. These experiences provide opportunities to delve into the local community and add a sense of adventure to the season’s celebrations. 

Community Parties

Every community hosts parties that bring residents and families together. Themed dinners showcase seasonal flavors and favorite comfort foods, while visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other holiday celebrities add a playful touch that residents and their grandchildren can enjoy. The community theater is abuzz with classic holiday movies, complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and friends who feel like family. 

Click the arrows on the gallery below to see highlights from a community holiday party:

Families, Community, and the Cedarhurst Team

The holiday season is about more than just decorations and events; it’s about togetherness. Cedarhurst brings together families, residents, and team members to create a sense of belonging that reaches beyond the walls of the community. 

Family Involvement and Intergenerational Joy

Intergenerational connection and care are a core part of holiday celebrations, both inside and outside of the community. Holiday celebrations are open to people of all ages, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions and providing layers of joy to the season.

Families are always welcome to spend time in each community and often play an active role in Cedarhurst holiday celebrations. Grandchildren join residents for craft days or cookie-decorating parties, while sons, daughters, and friends share their talents through live music, storytelling, and readings of holiday classics. Cedarhurst serves as a hub of community during this time, facilitating connections that enrich the season and create multigenerational joy.

Community Support from Team Members and the Home Office

Cedarhurst culture means everyone contributes to the holiday spirit, from chefs preparing special holiday menus to leadership teams joining celebrations in person. Each year, home office team members find special ways to share joy, such as selecting thoughtful, personalized gifts for residents or lending a helping hand at local community celebrations.

This tradition reinforces Cedarhurst’s core values of empathy and passion. “It’s important to Cedarhurst that all residents feel valued and loved—especially during the holidays,” Burrow said. 

The Heart of the Holidays Lives at Cedarhurst

At Cedarhurst communities, the holiday season shines a little brighter. Every gathering, song, and shared laugh reflects what matters most: connection, belonging, and joy. Here, traditions aren’t replaced; they’re embraced and expanded with love and meaning. 

Ready to experience the warmth of the season—and beyond—at Cedarhurst? Discover more about communities and culture in the guide to life at Cedarhurst.

Contributor

Tara Burrow is director of engagement and education at Cedarhurst Senior Living. With more than 24 years of experience as a licensed healthcare professional, Tara oversees Cedarhurst’s Life Enrichment program to ensure communities provide personalized engagement that promotes a continued sense of purpose and joy for residents.