50+ Lifestyles

Aging and You

By Julie Arndt
Marketing Director at Ridgecrest Village

Embracing New Traditions: Finding the Magic of Christmas at Every Age

The holiday season often brings moments of thoughtful reflection. Many of us look back on our childhoods, hoping to recapture the magic and wonder of Christmases past.

I still remember waiting eagerly for the Sears and Roebuck catalog to arrive…its glossy pages filled with everything my heart could imagine. If I close my eyes, I can almost smell that distinctive scent of the holiday edition. Curled up on my mother’s lap, I would point excitedly to each toy and treasure that caught my eye. She had the patience of a saint as I went through page after page, repeating my Christmas wishes. As the youngest of six, I now realize just how much practice she’d had in listening to such dreams.

My parents made Christmas truly magical. With a house full of children, our home buzzed with the sounds, scents, and excitement of the season. Each December, they filled the air with hope and joy. My husband and I did our best to recreate that same spirit for our own children, but as time passes, the rhythms of the holidays change. New traditions slowly take root where old ones once flourished.

This year, still recovering from knee surgery, I’ve found myself rethinking how much decorating I really want to do.
It takes energy to pull everything out, only to pack it all away again a few weeks later. I know our children find it hard to see these changes, but that’s part of life. Traditions evolve, and that’s perfectly okay.

As we age, many of us don’t have the same physical stamina we once did – and that, too, is part of the natural rhythm of life. One of the great blessings of living in a senior community is being able to enjoy the beauty of the season without having to do all the heavy lifting. At Ridgecrest Village, I look forward to strolling through the decorated halls and common areas, soaking in the sounds, lights, and warmth of Christmas. The programs, activities, and spirit of giving are everywhere, and I love it.

This holiday season, as you visit friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who may be adjusting to new
traditions, keep a few things in mind:

Isolation and Loneliness

The holidays can intensify feelings of solitude for those living alone or far from family.

Holiday Shopping

Crowded stores, transportation challenges, or limited mobility can make shopping more difficult.

Meal Preparation

Festive meals can be costly and tiring to prepare, especially for one or two people.

Physical Stamina

Decorating, hosting, and attending events can take more energy than we realize.

Shifting Sense of “Magic”

As we move from creating Christmas for children to experiencing it as older adults, the emotional landscape
naturally changes.

Even so, the heart of the season…the joy, generosity, and togetherness remains. Living in a senior community can help rekindle that magic, easing some of the burdens while keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and well. After all, the holidays aren’t defined by how much we decorate or how grand the gatherings are, but by the warmth we share and the memories we carry forward.