The holiday season at Housing Plus was a vibrant tapestry of cultural traditions, skill-building activities, and heartwarming celebrations. Throughout December, our homes came alive with festive cheer as young people and staff worked together to create meaningful experiences that blended UK customs with the diverse backgrounds of our residents.
Transforming Our Homes into Festive Havens
The celebrations began with a flurry of decoration as young people and staff collaborated to adorn their shared living spaces. Christmas trees were carefully selected and decorated, twinkling lights were hung with precision, and handmade ornaments added personal touches to every room.
“Our approach to decorating was all about inclusion,” explained a senior key worker. “While Christmas is a UK tradition, we made sure everyone felt comfortable participating regardless of their background. The enthusiasm was incredible – some of our young people who had never celebrated Christmas before turned out to be the most creative decorators!”
The transformation extended beyond just aesthetics. As one young person observed, “When we finished decorating, the house didn’t just look different – it felt different. More like a real home.”
Experiencing UK Holiday Traditions Firsthand
To help young people understand British cultural traditions, Housing Plus organized several special outings:
West End Lights Tour
A group excursion to see London’s famous Christmas lights became both a visual spectacle and cultural lesson. As they walked through the dazzling displays, staff shared the history behind various traditions.
“I’d seen pictures of Christmas lights before,” said one participant, “but experiencing them in person was completely different. The Oxford Street angels were my favorite – they made me feel like I was in a movie!”
Carol Service at St. Paul’s
For many young people, attending the carol service at St. Paul’s Cathedral was a profoundly moving experience. The grandeur of the setting combined with the timeless music created lasting memories.
“I didn’t know any of the songs at first,” admitted one attendee, “but by the end I was singing along to the chorus of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.’ There was something magical about hearing thousands of voices together in that beautiful space.”
Developing Skills Through Festive Activities
Mocktail Masterclass with Young Roots
The December 19th Young Roots charity Christmas party became an unexpected opportunity for skill development when Housing Plus young people took responsibility for running the mocktail bar. In the weeks leading up to the event, they:
- Researched and developed multicultural drink recipes
- Learned proper mixing techniques
- Practiced customer service skills
- Created an efficient workflow system
The result was a resounding success. Laura, Youth Development Coordinator at Young Roots, praised their “professional panache,” while party guests declared the mocktail bar to be one of the event’s highlights.
“I never thought I’d enjoy serving drinks so much,” reflected one of the young bartenders. “At first I was nervous about remembering orders, but by the end of the night I was handling multiple requests at once. It showed me I can adapt to new challenges.”
Christmas Eve Feast Preparation
The culinary highlight came on December 24th when young people collaborated to prepare a festive feast. Under staff guidance, they:
- Planned a menu combining traditional British dishes with recipes from their cultures
- Budgeted for ingredients
- Learned proper food preparation techniques
- Practiced time management to coordinate multiple dishes
The resulting meal featured everything from roast turkey with all the trimmings to jollof rice and baklava, creating a true fusion of traditions. “Cooking together was even more fun than eating together,” noted one participant. “We were laughing the whole time, especially when some of us tried making Yorkshire puddings for the first time!”
Celebrating Achievements at the Winter Celebration
The season culminated in Housing Plus’s annual Winter Celebration Evening, an event that recognized young people’s progress while embracing cultural diversity. Highlights included:
- Musical performances showcasing various cultural traditions
- A communal feast featuring dishes from around the world
- Thoughtfully selected gifts for each young person
- Dancing that lasted well into the evening
“What made the night special wasn’t just the party,” reflected one attendee, “but knowing the staff had put so much thought into choosing gifts that were perfect for each of us. Mine was a photography book because they know I want to study art. That personal touch meant everything.”
More Than Just Festive Fun
While the activities created joyful memories, they also served important developmental purposes:
- Practical Skills Development
- Hospitality and customer service (mocktail bar)
- Financial literacy (budgeting for decorations and meals)
- Culinary abilities (feast preparation)
- Time management (coordinating multiple events)
- Cultural Integration
- Experiencing British traditions firsthand
- Sharing their own cultural heritage
- Developing understanding and appreciation for diversity
- Community Building
- Strengthening bonds between residents
- Creating shared memories
- Fostering a sense of belonging
As the year came to a close, the reflections of one young person perhaps best captured the spirit of the season: “Before coming to Housing Plus, the holidays were just another time of year. Now I understand why people look forward to them – it’s not about the decorations or presents, but about feeling connected to the people around you.”
The Housing Plus team looks forward to building on these experiences as we move into the new year, continuing to create opportunities for growth, celebration, and community.