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Heron Terrace holiday celebrations bring community together
Residents, families and staff share festive moments throughout the season
1/14/2026
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Deron Hamel
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Heron Terrace marked the holiday season with a calendar jam-packed with celebrations and special events that brought together residents, their families and team members at the Windsor long-term care community.
Mervat El-Ainain, Heron Terrace's volunteer co-ordinator, says team members focus every year on creating a festive atmosphere for residents, with plenty of decorations throughout the home. Each of Heron Terrace's neighbourhoods also hosted its own Christmas party.
“Each party reflects its own theme, bringing warmth, joy and festive cheer to everyone,” Mervat tells S&R Today. “The parties are filled with live music, which residents thoroughly enjoy as they sing along and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.”
Mervat says the highlight of the season, once again, was a visit from Santa Claus. Residents had their photos taken with Father Christmas, which is always a favourite event, she adds.
Heron Terrace residents and team members also celebrated the 12 days of Christmas, with one of the most popular events being Two Turtle Doves Day. The day saw team members paired with co-workers and dressed in matching outfits for fun.
“Staff around the home dressed alike while carrying out their daily duties, bringing smiles and laughter to residents,” Mervat says. “Residents enjoyed seeing the different twin outfits and had fun taking pictures with staff throughout the day. The joyful atmosphere made it a wonderful and memorable celebration for everyone.”
Residents also enjoyed a visit from members of a local Baptist church, who led Christmas hymns over the holidays. The visit created “a warm, peaceful and joyful atmosphere,” Mervat says.
“Residents enjoyed listening, singing along and sharing in the true spirit of Christmas.”
Christmas Day itself proved to be “a very special day for our residents,” she adds.
Celebrations began with residents eagerly awaiting Santa's arrival. Santa then went around giving each resident their gifts, after which residents opened presents and read their cards, “bringing many smiles and excitement.”
Families visited throughout the day, adding to the warm and joyful atmosphere, Mervat says..
Residents later sang Christmas karaoke songs with the life enrichment team, sharing laughter and festive cheer. The day ended on a sweet note with ice cream and a Christmas movie.
“It was a wonderful day filled with happiness, togetherness and the true spirit of Christmas,” Mervat says.
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