The holiday season is the ideal time to bring a community together. From hayrides and holiday fairs to decorations and donations, a planned holiday activity can create a sense of community among homeowners.
Photos with Santa
One of our associations hosts a family event that includes holiday hayrides and photos with Santa. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a visit from a “real bearded Santa Claus.” Parents bring their cameras and take pictures. At 5 p.m. residents can jump on a horse-drawn carriage for a 45-minute holiday hayride around the community. The holiday hayride has become a tradition and sells out every year!
Community Party
Another association hosts a community wide party in the clubhouse. There are two parties, one for the kids earlier in the day and one later for the adults. The evening starts with caroling in front of the community center. Santa arrives on a fire truck and flips the switch for light displays. The kids then enjoy small gifts from Santa, while the adults get tickets at their party for door prizes donated by association vendors.
Holiday Décor and Community Building
This community hosts a door-decorating contest. Participation includes single family, townhome, and condo residents. The doors are judged by commercial space owners and tenants. There is a holiday reception to announce the winners, giving different groups an opportunity to socialize and get to know each other. Photos are taken and placed in the community newsletter, so homeowners know who the winners were and who participated from the retail community.
Another event in which the community participates is a holiday fair in the commercial area. With the economy in a downturn and rare vacancies in the retail shops, the board has been supportive of HOA initiatives to help draw shoppers to the area. With the help of the retail property managers, vacant spaces are donated and crafters, artists, and other vendors are invited to a holiday festival that includes horse-drawn carriage rides, a visit from Santa, radio station appearances, drawings for prizes, scavenger hunts, food vendors, retail/commercial information booths, product demonstrations, and more. In addition to drawing attention to the shopping center, it’s a nice event for residents in the adjacent communities.
Charitable Giving
At a 55+ community, the community decorates a tree in the clubhouse library and sponsors a local family in need. Volunteers decorate the tree as a “wish list tree” with envelopes for items the family has requested. Residents pick an envelope and make the family’s wish come true.
The community also hosts a clubhouse seasonal happy hour where residents bring their own dish and beverage. With a winter wonderland theme, residents receive prizes for best-dressed, favorite dish. There is also a 50/50 drawing and the winner gets to pick a charity of their choice to which the association donates the other half of the winnings.
While associations choose to celebrate the holiday season in many different ways, the sense of community and camaraderie that results from coming together and helping others lasts all year long.
Beth Brittingham, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®
Community Manager
Legum & Norman, Inc., AAMC.
Millsboro, DE
Holiday Activities for Your Community
Photos with Santa
One of our associations hosts a family event that includes holiday hayrides and photos with Santa. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a visit from a “real bearded Santa Claus.” Parents bring their cameras and take pictures. At 5 p.m. residents can jump on a horse-drawn carriage for a 45-minute holiday hayride around the community. The holiday hayride has become a tradition and sells out every year!
Community Party
Another association hosts a community wide party in the clubhouse. There are two parties, one for the kids earlier in the day and one later for the adults. The evening starts with caroling in front of the community center. Santa arrives on a fire truck and flips the switch for light displays. The kids then enjoy small gifts from Santa, while the adults get tickets at their party for door prizes donated by association vendors.
Holiday Décor and Community Building
This community hosts a door-decorating contest. Participation includes single family, townhome, and condo residents. The doors are judged by commercial space owners and tenants. There is a holiday reception to announce the winners, giving different groups an opportunity to socialize and get to know each other. Photos are taken and placed in the community newsletter, so homeowners know who the winners were and who participated from the retail community.
Another event in which the community participates is a holiday fair in the commercial area. With the economy in a downturn and rare vacancies in the retail shops, the board has been supportive of HOA initiatives to help draw shoppers to the area. With the help of the retail property managers, vacant spaces are donated and crafters, artists, and other vendors are invited to a holiday festival that includes horse-drawn carriage rides, a visit from Santa, radio station appearances, drawings for prizes, scavenger hunts, food vendors, retail/commercial information booths, product demonstrations, and more. In addition to drawing attention to the shopping center, it’s a nice event for residents in the adjacent communities.
Charitable Giving
At a 55+ community, the community decorates a tree in the clubhouse library and sponsors a local family in need. Volunteers decorate the tree as a “wish list tree” with envelopes for items the family has requested. Residents pick an envelope and make the family’s wish come true.
The community also hosts a clubhouse seasonal happy hour where residents bring their own dish and beverage. With a winter wonderland theme, residents receive prizes for best-dressed, favorite dish. There is also a 50/50 drawing and the winner gets to pick a charity of their choice to which the association donates the other half of the winnings.
While associations choose to celebrate the holiday season in many different ways, the sense of community and camaraderie that results from coming together and helping others lasts all year long.
Beth Brittingham, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®
Community Manager
Legum & Norman, Inc., AAMC.
Millsboro, DE