5 Decoration Tips for Seniors in an Independent Living Community

'Tis the season to bring a little festive charm to your Independent Living space. Decorating for the holidays is a beloved tradition for many families. Even though your holidays might look a little different after downsizing to your new space, there are so many ways to bring holiday cheer and joy to your home. Follow these tips to personalize your decor and enjoy a boost to the mood and atmosphere. 

Choosing Safe and Accessible Decorations

Before you start decking your halls, think about safety with your holiday decor. You'll enjoy a lot more holiday cheer when you can move about your space safely. When adding extra seasonal decorations, position them to avoid creating a tripping hazard. Here are some additional safety and accessibility considerations:

• Ornaments: Lightweight ornaments are easier to place on the tree and less likely to fall. Instead of glass and ceramic ornaments, consider choosing plastic and wood ornaments that are less likely to break if they fall. 
• Candles and lights: Battery-operated lights and candles give your home that cozy glow safely, without open flames. They also eliminate cords that can be tripping hazards. 
• Strings of lights: If you're pulling out old strings of lights, check them over to make sure the cords are intact and the connections are tight. Newer lights are often safer because they stay cool to the touch; older lights might get warm when they're on. 
• Trees: Christmas trees are a staple of holiday decor. A slim, artificial tree gives you the look of the real thing made with fire-resistant materials. With a skinnier profile, your tree fits easily against a wall while leaving plenty of unobstructed space to walk. 
• Secure placement: Place decorations in a stable spot, so they don't tip. Securing shelving helps keep it steady. 

Incorporating Seasonal Colors and Themes

Your choice of colors and themes helps tie your decorations together, making it easier to choose new coordinating decorations to add to your collection. Thanksgiving colors typically include orange, brown, dark yellow and burgundy. Earthy green tones also work well with your design. 

Color schemes for Christmas can range from traditional to modern. Some examples include:

• Red and green
• Blue and white
• Silver and gold
• Pink and green
• White

Another way to bring a fun twist to your decorating is by choosing a theme. Try one of these holiday themes:

• Winter Wonderland
• Candy canes
• Gingerbread houses
• Winter woodland animals
• The North Pole
• Nutcrackers

Creating a Cozy Holiday Experience

Chilly Virginia temperatures call for cozy touches in your holiday decor. Throw blankets and pillows with a holiday theme bring festive cheer to your seating while keeping you warm. Conserve space by using seasonal pillow covers you can switch out as the seasons change. Pillow covers fold and tuck away easily when not in use, saving you the hassle of finding storage space for bulky pillows. Holiday area rugs warm up your floors for a comfy touch on your feet.  

Incorporating Personal Touches

Personal touches make holidays feel special and create a welcoming atmosphere in your Independent Living home. Print photos from previous holiday celebrations, and add them to festive frames. You can also use photo frame ornaments to personalize your tree. Displaying decorations you make yourself is another way to personalize your space. 

The Village at Woods Edge has its own tradition with personalized holiday decor. Our Chrismon tree is decorated every year with ornaments made by residents of The Manor. And one of the most looked forward events of the season is our “Deck the Halls” Day where residents gather and decorate trees throughout The Village’s living spaces. This special event wouldn’t be complete without our favorite holiday playlist and hot coa-coa! In addition to this event, at The Back Porch and Grille, we host gingerbread making houses during the holidays, thich is always a great activity that is festive for our residents. In addition to our festive holiday events, such as the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, The Back Porch and Grille hosts a delightful gingerbread making activity during the holiday season. This beloved event provides a wonderful opportunity for our residents to gather, create, and enjoy the holiday spirit together.

Organizing Holiday Decor

For many people, moving to Independent Living means downsizing homes. Due to limited storage space in your new home, you need to be selective with your decor, so it's easy to use and store. Here are some tips to help:

• Use adhesive hooks: Removable adhesive hooks make it easy to display your holiday decor without making holes in your walls. When you take down your seasonal decor, you can remove the hooks.  
• Choose foldable decorations: Items that fold or deflate save space in your storage area. The smaller storage space gives you more options for placing the items. 
• Use clear bins: Clear storage bins let you see what's inside. This makes it easier to find your decor when it's time to decorate. Labeling opaque bins also helps you locate what you need.
• Vacuum pack textiles: If your holiday decor includes blankets, pillows and other textiles, use vacuum storage bags to compress them to a smaller storage size. 
• Choose storage containers strategically: Measure the area where you plan to store the items, and choose storage containers that fit there well. Consider spaces that would otherwise go unused, such as under your bed or on the top shelf in your closet. some text
  • At The Village at Woods Edge, we understand that storage options are essential for our residents when rightsizing to an Apartment home. Our on-campus storage spaces are conveniently located and easily accessible, so you can easily store your belongings without having to travel far. 

Experience the Holiday Spirit at The Village at Woods Edge

Looking for more inspiration? Call us today at 757-517-2791 to tour The Village at Woods Edge and see our holiday-themed decorations in person. 

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