Make the Upcoming Holidays Both Safe and Special

While we know the holidays are fast approaching, we also understand we are in the middle of a pandemic. This has left many of us asking how we make the holidays feel special while practicing safe social distancing with family members not part of our quarantine group.

Currently health experts stress large family gatherings are not advisable. This is because COVID-19 cases are often traced back to younger people spreading it to older relatives who are more at risk for serious complications. However, despite the sadness we feel by not having our usual huge Thanksgiving gathering or Christmas parties, there are still ways we can bond with family and friends and have fun doing it.

To successfully do a group Zoom or FaceTime call with several branches of the family, assign one person to set the call up, coordinating time, etc. with all parties. For Thanksgiving, you could organize a call during dinner and encourage everyone to share a special family story or give a reason why they are grateful. If you are a family of singers, organize a virtual group sing. If your family loves to cook, prepare a virtual meal together.

To make sure the kids feel part of the celebrations, have them dress-up or use puppets to perform the first Thanksgiving or Christmas story virtually. This also has the advantage of keeping them busy several days before the holiday preparing. Another idea is to watch the grandkids making holiday cookies or to send them a care package with a craft that you can make with them together. In other words, use your imagination and remember someday soon we will again be celebrating together.

The CDC suggests before you plan any in-person events to check with the positivity rate in your community. In addition, remember to follow your state’s health and safety laws, rules, and regulations regarding group gatherings.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead we offer area seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. We have 60 private assisted living suites that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood provides 25 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Visit our website to learn what sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale offers and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact for more information about one of the finest retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer.