Communities provide residents with lively celebrations, holiday cheer

As the weather gets chillier and the holidays get closer, Houston residents and organizations alike are getting ready with a variety of celebrations and events. The area’s local retirement communities are no exception.

Eagle’s Trace, an Erickson Living retirement community in west Houston, makes the holidays memorable each year with fellowship and music. The community also has two holiday train villages on the community campus, which are donated and maintained by residents.

“Listening to the sounds of the season is an annual tradition at Eagle’s Trace, and this year, we have an exciting line-up of talented local musicians scheduled to perform,” said Lisa Hadley, community resources coordinator at Eagle’s Trace. “Among others, we’re proud to host the Celebration Ringers and Saint Edith Stein Church Choir for programs, and even intergenerational concerts with students from Barbara Bush Elementary and Wolfe Elementary schools.”

Eagle’s Trace residents and employees also celebrate together with fun events such as a Christmas singalong and an ugly sweater competition.

The community also participates in BEAR-ing Gifts, a charitable toy drive to support Child Protective Services in Houston. Throughout the month, Eagle’s Trace residents celebrate with family and friends, enjoying freshly prepared holiday meals at the community. This year, residents will ring in 2018 with a “Treasures of the Deep” – themed New Year’s Eve party, complete with live music, dancing and a holiday menu. Treemont Retirement Community also is already ringing in the holiday season. The community held its annual Christmas party on Dec. 9, which featured a performance by the Lone Star Big Band. The community also features festive decorations, as well as daily carolers, to set the scene for the season. Treemont also is holding a Hanukkah Party on Dec. 14, as well as a Shabbat service and a “Let There Be Light” celebration on Dec. 15. Lastly, Treemont also is having a holiday doordecorating contest among the residents of the community this month. Treemont is working with local radio station Air 1 (103.7) with its “Keep Warm” project, in which the radio station collects coats, gloves, hats and other items for homeless and underprivileged residents of Houston. Treemont residents will assist in handing out clothing during inclement weather.

Additionally, various schools and organizations come to Treemont during the month of December to sing Christmas carols with/for the residents, with many bringing baked goods, cards, gifts and other items.

The community has plans to have an energy company bring in a Christmas tree and decorate it with the residents while providing sing-a-long carols, hot chocolate and cookies, as well as gifts for residents.

“Treemont is abuzz every day of the holiday season; these are just a few of the many things we have planned for our residents,” said Aimee Dubuisson, activities director at Treemont Retirement Community.

The Village of Tanglewood goes all-in for the holiday season with a December calendar full of holiday-related events, which started with a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 12.

The celebrations continue with other events throughout the month, including holiday tea and music, a holiday tour of homes, and the Village’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties.

For more information about Eagle’s Trace, visit www.ericksonliving.com/ eagles-trace.

For Treemont, visit www.treemont. com. For the Village of Tanglewood, go to www.villageoftanglewood.com.