It is a common notion that winter is a time spent hibernating and being cooped up indoors. That may be the case for the most part, even in Oakville retirement residences. However, there are plenty of activities and events happening despite the cold weather.
In Ontario, there are several winter traditions that people keep up with. Residents of retirement communities attend winter festivals, see winter wildlife, and so much more.
Retirement Communities Learning About Winter Traditions
People all over the world spend the winter season in many different ways. One of the main highlights of winter is celebrating the holidays and the new year.
Beyond the holidays, there are plenty more winter traditions observed worldwide. Here are just a few of them:
Hanukkah
This popular holiday is celebrated by Jewish people around the world. There is prayer, traditional Jewish food, playing games and receiving gifts, and more for eight days.
The holiday commemorates the ancient miracle when a day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple. The date for Hanukkah changes depending on the lunar cycle.
Winter Solstice
This occurs around the 21st of December when it is the shortest day/longest night of the year. All over the world, the Winter Solstice is celebrated in different ways.
For instance, they celebrate Yalda Night in Iran. It involves staying up late with family, commemorating the end of the harvest season, and praying for good luck for next year.
Three Kings Day or Feast of the Epiphany
Three Kings Day marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas, on the 6th of January. This is in remembrance of the three kings that visited and offered gifts to the baby Jesus.
There are many ways this tradition plays out. In Orthodox cultures, this is the day Christmas is celebrated. In Spain, children get their Christmas presents. In France, they bake a delicious King cake with a hidden coin or jewel inside.
St. Lucia Day
This is a fascinating festival of lights in Scandinavia. It is celebrated in honor of St. Lucia, one of the earliest Christian martyrs. This happens every 13th of December.
On this day, Swedish girls dress in long white gowns with red sashes and a wreath of lit candles on their heads.
Dongzhi Festival
This festival in China has been around for thousands of years. It is a day where families gather for a large meal, including rice balls called tang yuan. It is celebrated to welcome the warmer, lighter days of spring.
Celebrating Winter Traditions at Oakville Retirement Residences
There is so much to learn and celebrate from winter traditions across the globe. Learning about them and celebrating gives Oakville assisted living residents plenty of activities that we can do indoors during the colder months.
At Livita Queens Avenue, we always strive to keep our residents active and engaged. We offer a wide range of programs and activities so our active seniors live a vibrant, purpose-filled life.
Live a life of vitality with the right retirement community! Learn more about Livita Queens Avenue by giving us a call today. Or take a virtual tour of our residence here.
