From generations past to present: Christmas at Avocet House

Christmas is a time filled with warmth, joy and many wonderful things. Here at Avocet House, we treasure every opportunity to reminisce and share stories together. As the home begins to sparkle with decorations, carols float through the halls and festive activities fill our days, conversations naturally come to life — with each bauble, song and moment opening the door to cherished memories.

One of our favourite traditions involves Jan and her family. Every year since Jan joined us, her family bring along her Christmas tree from home, complete with all its familiar decorations. Together they spend time placing each one carefully on the branches — decorations that have been part of their family for many years. As they find the perfect spot for each ornament, memories unfold like chapters in a family storybook.

Jan recently shared the tale behind a special pair of ice skate decorations. They were gifted to her as a young girl by her mother and father — a reminder of her love for ice skating. Although she never competed, she spent every moment she could gliding across the ice. She fondly remembers her father taking her to a nearby frozen pond, always prepared with a piece of cardboard to sit on, a flask of hot chocolate and snacks to enjoy afterwards. He would watch her skate from the bankside, and together they’d finish their outing with warm drinks and treats before heading home.

These memories are precious to Jan, and even more heartwarming is how she passed this tradition down to her own boys, bundling up hot drinks and snacks before taking them skating on a frozen pond — a joyful moment shared across generations.

It is moments like these that fill Avocet House with warmth. We feel privileged to hear the treasured stories of our residents, and it’s wonderful how a simple object or familiar song can spark such beautiful conversations. Christmas truly brings these memories to life, and we are grateful to share them together.