Carol-Themed Christmas

This December, Minster Care Group launched its Carol-Themed Christmas initiative, a festive programme inspired by traditional Christmas carols and designed to bring joy, creativity, connection, and wellbeing to residents across our homes.

Each week throughout December is themed around a much-loved carol, encouraging meaningful activities that celebrate music, memory, togetherness, and community spirit.

Week 1: Deck the Halls

Week One marked the beginning of the festive season as our homes came together to decorate, create, sing, and celebrate.

Highlights from across our homes:

• Abbeywell Court kicked off festivities with mince and apple pie baking, sharing family recipes, Christmas card-making, and visits to local Christmas markets.

• Hillcrest House focused on creativity, with personalised craft sessions, themed walking frames, festive headbands, and sensory reminiscence activities.

• Ideal Home displayed a beautiful, handmade nativity scene, artistically created by the home’s Deputy Manager.

• Holcroft Grange enjoyed candle-making, heartfelt remembrance activities, a lively Mother Goose pantomime, and a cosy movie afternoon watching Elf.

• Crossways filled the home with warmth through creative lantern-making.

• Garswood House crafted personalised stockings and gingerbread house decorations.

• Amberley House shared laughter while creating Christmas wish lists.

• Sovereign House hosted a lively Christmas fete full of music and dancing.

• Cheaney Court welcomed a very special resident—Johnny Walnut, a six-foot handcrafted nutcracker, greeting everyone at the entrance.

• Eagle View enjoyed snowflake-making, wreath crafts, festive music, dancing, and a reflective Gratitude Baubles activity.

Week 2: Joy to the World

Spreading happiness, laughter & festive cheer

Week Two was all about celebration and shared joy, with Christmas parties, jumper days, and community outings bringing smiles to every corner.

Week two moments included:

• Astbury Hall hosted a fun-filled Elf Day Christmas Party.

• Holcroft Grange & The Lakes celebrated Christmas Jumper Day with themed meals and festive flair.

• Redhill & Abbeywell Court enjoyed creative crafting,  and lively Christmas games.

• Waterside added inflatable fun with staff in hilarious festive costumes.

• Homes were filled with the delicious aroma of homemade mince pies.

• Residents also enjoyed a special festive community outing, soaking up local Christmas atmosphere.

Week 3: Silent Night

Calm, reflection & heart-warming traditions

Week Three focused on the peaceful and reflective side of Christmas, celebrating music, tradition, and meaningful moments.

Highlights included:

• Leycester House enjoyed a joyful sing-along, followed by a relaxed cheese and wine evening.

• Hourigan House residents enjoyed a classic Dick Whittington pantomime.

• Local schools brought festive magic with carols and dance performances.

• Amberley House hosted a wonderful Christmas party, featuring a visit from the Mayor and Mayoress, accompanied by the joyful sounds of the Mabe Ladies Choir.

• Garswood House captured special family memories with professional photos and a magical trip to the Blackpool Illuminations.

• Stocking-making, gingerbread crafts, and festive coffee mornings completed the week.

Week 4: We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The grand finale of festive fun

The final week was filled with excitement, celebration, and heartfelt togetherness as Christmas Day approached.

Festive finales across our homes:

• Crossways enjoyed bell-ringing choirs, a visit from Hula Daze, pantomimes, mulled wine, and carols.

• Cheaney Court welcomed Father Christmas, enjoyed Rainbow visits, festive baking, and Christmas card crafting.

• Garswood House celebrated with a cosy Christmas Eve pyjama day, festive films, and hot chocolate with Baileys.

• Redhill residents were pampered in the Christmas salon before enjoying a special festive meal.

• Holcroft Grange welcomed Santa and his elves for laughter-filled celebrations.

• Grenville Court enjoyed an armchair travel day by travelling virtually to see the Northern Lights.

• Florence Grogan House, Leycester House, Kingfisher, Waterside, The Rivers, and Hillcrest House all marked Christmas with family visits, festive meals, pantomimes, music, and unforgettable moments.