Our First Christmas

Christmas has officially arrived at Caraway House Care Home, and what a festive season it has been! As our very first Christmas in our new home, the sense of excitement and joy has been palpable from the very start. With a shared focus on creating cherished memories, we’ve filled the month with heartwarming activities, beautiful decorations, and wonderful moments spent with family, friends, and members of the local community.

Our dedicated team has gone above and beyond to ensure this milestone Christmas was one to remember for everyone at Caraway House. The home has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Every detail, from the twinkling fairy lights to the festive wreaths, has been lovingly prepared with our residents in mind. Residents themselves have played a big part in the preparations, lending their creativity to craft handmade decorations and helping to dress the home. Families visiting to admire their loved ones’ creations were full of praise, remarking on how the home radiated warmth and holiday cheer.

At the centre of our celebrations was the arrival of a breathtaking 18-foot Christmas tree, kindly donated by Lee-Hobson Funeral Directors. The tree, adorned with 3,000 brightly coloured lights, has quickly become a focal point for both the home and the wider community. Its grand lighting ceremony on 17th December was a highlight of the season, combined with our Christmas party to create an unforgettable evening.

The honour of switching on the lights fell to two of our residents, and the moment was truly magical. As the tree lit up and cast a festive glow across the home, there was a sense of pride and joy that touched everyone present. Residents, staff, families, and members of the community gathered together, and the shared smiles and laughter made the evening feel truly special.

The Christmas party itself was a spectacular affair, filled with music, entertainment, and delicious food. Professional entertainers performed classic Christmas songs, sparking singalongs and dancing that brought residents and their families closer together. Earlier in the month, we welcomed children from the local primary school who filled the home with the sound of Christmas carols, as well as the TOC group, a talented group of young musicians who played festive tunes on their instruments. Their performances were met with delighted applause, with many residents reminiscing fondly about their own Christmases past.

No Christmas celebration would be complete without festive treats, and our talented kitchen team more than rose to the occasion. Led by our Head Chef Chloe and Second Chef Dom, the team created a spectacular spread of food and drink that included everything from mince pies to cups of rich, warming hot chocolate. Visitors from the local community were welcomed to join us, enjoying a slice of cake and soaking up the festive atmosphere that has made Caraway House such a welcoming place this Christmas.

For many of our residents, this will be their first Christmas spent away from their own homes, and our team has worked hard to ensure that everyone feels included and supported during this meaningful time. By involving residents in every aspect of the celebrations—from decorating to attending performances—we’ve created a sense of belonging that has helped make this a happy and positive experience for all.

At Caraway House, we pride ourselves on the strong bonds we’ve formed with the local community, and this Christmas has been a testament to those relationships. From the generosity of Lee & Hobbs Funeral Directors to the kindness of local families and businesses, we’ve been reminded of the wonderful connections that make our home so special. Hosting events like our Christmas party not only brings joy to our residents but also allows us to share in the festive spirit with the community around us.

As we look back on this first Christmas, there’s an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our staff, the love and support of families, and the enthusiasm of our local friends. This has been a Christmas filled with warmth, laughter, and togetherness—a true reflection of everything we strive to provide at Caraway House.

Here’s to many more festive seasons to come and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s celebrations so unforgettable. From all of us at Caraway House, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy!