Oh, come all ye residents of Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio. It’s time to mix and mingle with friends, contribute to worthy causes, and maybe engage your neighbors in a friendly holiday light competition.
Some of the most joyful and triumphant members of our senior living community can be found on our Blue Skies West Decorating Committee, a team of nearly 50 volunteers headed by co-chairs Pat P., Brenda P., and Ellen S. We sat down with this group of vibrant ladies to learn how they help to make the season bright.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE
Decorating for every holiday is a valued tradition at Blue Skies. From Easter to Halloween to the Fourth of July, the Decorating Committee stays busy all year through. Decking the halls in December, however, is the group’s magnum opus.
“It all starts with a 30-foot tree that goes up in the main lobby about a week after Thanksgiving,” Ellen explains. “First, a team from Maintenance moves all the decorations out of storage and into a vacant room for us to organize. Then, they string up the lights and hang any ornaments we can’t reach. It’s nice to not worry about climbing any ladders—and it’s a labor of love for them, too.”
Once everything’s in place, the whole community—residents and staff—comes together for a tree lighting ceremony, complete with food, drinks, and a visit from Old Saint Nick. “It’s not quite Rockefeller Center, but it’s a treasured holiday tradition for our community,” Ellen laughs.
CREATING A UNIQUELY FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
If you think one tree is enough to hold all the holiday spirit at our Texas Life Plan Community, think again. In addition to indoor and outdoor wreaths, lights, and garland, you’ll find between 15 and 20 smaller trees gracing our restaurants, hallways, and common spaces. “There’s a teddy bear tree, a White House tree, and of course, a Texas-themed tree,” Pat says. “One resident donated a charming Christmas village, which we set up in our Bistro. It even has a fountain, ice skaters, and a train running through a tunnel.”
Since Blue Skies is home to people of different faiths, the Decorating Committee honors Hanukkah during this time, as well. “We set up a table where our neighbors can light the menorah and say the blessings each night—and even those who aren’t Jewish will gather to enjoy the spirit of fellowship,” Brenda says.
The committee also plays a role in giving new life to treasured holiday decorations that people might no longer have space for. “They’ll donate their ornaments, garland, and other decorations to us, and we’ll either hang them on one of the trees or in the front lobby,” Pat explains. “It means so much when they see the decorations that are still very dear to them on full display.”
Perhaps the most anticipated decorating tradition at Blue Skies is our annual outdoor holiday lighting contest for residents of our cottage and garden-style homes. “Some people coordinate colors and themes with their neighbors, while other enclaves are more of a hodge-podge of individual tastes,” Ellen explains. “Everyone loves driving through the community to see all the lights—and the Decorating Committee gets to decide the winner.”
A TRADITION OF GIVING BRIGHTENS EVERYONE’S HOLIDAY
Ever since opening our doors as Air Force Village in 1964, our San Antonio senior living community has been known for its culture of service—and that’s particularly true at holiday time. Residents find that giving back promotes a sense of purpose and fulfillment while cultivating social and spiritual wellness after retirement.
One tradition, Trees of Light, starts before the holiday season is in full swing, as Brenda explains. “In November, two large wooden trees are displayed in the lobby, and people can buy stars for the trees to honor someone living or deceased. Proceeds go toward scholarship funds and other causes that support the Blue Skies community.”
Reaching out during the holidays takes other forms, too. Every December, our Blue Skies West arts and crafts group joins forces with our Thrift Shop to make Liberty House sparkle like new-fallen snow. The Thrift Shop also holds an annual Christmas sale, where people buy and sell high-quality trees, wreaths, and other decorations. The proceeds all go right back into the Blue Skies community.
EXPERIENCE WHAT CAN BE AT OUR SAN ANTONIO RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
What makes every season so full of possibilities at Blue Skies? “A lot of people think that when you move to a retirement community, your life ends, but Blue Skies gives you the freedom to begin a new life,” Ellen says. “You don’t have to worry about house maintenance and security and so many of those things. You can have a fresh start. That’s why I’m here.”
Schedule your tour today and discover why Blue Skies of Texas has grown to become the #1 retirement community in San Antonio and #7 in the nation. If you arrive at holiday time, you can even check out this year’s entries in our outdoor lighting contest.
Click here or call 866-553-5389.
