Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to celebrate. A time to spend with friends and family, enjoy great food, and create memories for a lifetime. As a senior in an Independent Living community, you don’t have to say goodbye to these timeless traditions. There are plenty of ways you can host a Thanksgiving celebration at your senior living community. However, there are some things you should keep in mind to ensure your Thanksgiving holiday is a safe and happy one. Below is a look at the top five tips for making this year’s Thanksgiving celebration special.
Simplify Your Food
Cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal can be stressful and tiring. By the time the family arrives, you may be ready to sit down and rest — not serve a meal. Unless you have plenty of friends or family members who can help you prepare the meal, take things in a different direction this year. Consider hosting a potluck dinner where everyone brings a side dish or dessert to share. This way, you can limit your cooking requirements to just one or two dishes.
Alternatively, you can cater your dinner, but this can get a little costly. You can also serve only heavy appetizers. If you plan right, you can make some appetizers ahead of time by freezing them until the big day.
Use Disposables
The last thing you’ll want to do after hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is spend hours washing dishes. Do yourself a favor and forget the fine china this year. Instead, use paper plates, plasticware, and paper cups. There are festive options with fall designs that add an extra touch to your table. Try cooking some of your dishes in disposable aluminum pans and using disposable serving dishes and plastic serving ware. This step can significantly reduce cleanup time and avoid the risk of feeling overwhelmed once everyone goes home.
Take Advantage of Guest Rooms
If you’re concerned about not having enough space in your Independent Living apartment or cottage to host your out-of-town friends or family members, feel free to reserve one of Brandermill Woods’ guest rooms. Keep in mind that these rooms fill up fast during the holidays, so book as early as possible to ensure you get a space.
Host Your Gathering in the Independent Living Clubhouse
Not enough space in your apartment or cottage for everyone on your Thanksgiving party list? No worries. The Brandermill Woods Clubhouse is always available to host a gathering with your friends and family members. Just as with the guest rooms, be sure to get your reservations early to ensure there’s enough space for your entire group. Hosting your Thanksgiving dinner in the Clubhouse also can reduce the stress of preparing your apartment or cottage for company and can minimize cleanup time.
Utilize the Private Party Space at Brandermill Woods
If you were hoping for a more intimate setting with your family for Thanksgiving, The Meeting Room, Lounge, Four Seasons Room, Card Room, Shindigz, and Game Room are available to our residents for private parties. The Brandermill Woods Dining Services Department offers a complete catering menu featuring items from simple appetizers to a full dinner menu offering items limited only by your imagination, and certain rooms offer the option for residents to provide their own food and beverage. Reach out to the Activities Department to schedule your party and learn more about the options available.
Enjoy the Best of Every Season at Brandermill Woods
Downsizing to an Independent Living community doesn’t mean letting go of beloved family traditions — especially when staying at Brandermill Woods. From spacious apartments and ample guest rooms to our deluxe Clubhouse and private dining room, Brandermill Woods has everything you need to make this year’s Thanksgiving celebration extra special.
Contact Brandermill Woods today at (804) 744-1173 to learn more about our senior living community and the amenities we offer.
