Spreading Holiday Cheer: How to Building Community Spirit This Season

The holidays are a magical time, filled with twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and the joy of bringing people together. At Solstice™, this season is about more than decorating — it’s a chance to build connections and create new traditions with our neighbors. Whether it’s through shared events, festive activities, or small acts of holiday cheer, you’ll discover countless ways to foster a sense of community and make memories that last well beyond the season. Here are some creative ideas to help you and your neighbors make the holidays unforgettable!
 
Organize a Cookie Exchange
Who doesn’t love sweet treats? A cookie exchange is a delicious way to share holiday traditions with your neighbors. Invite everyone to bring over a batch of their favorite cookies. Each participant leaves with a variety of treats — and possibly some new recipes to try. Add a festive twist by having everyone bring their cookies in holiday-themed tins or bags for easy sharing. And remember, it’s always a good idea to have a few napkins on hand for those enthusiastic taste-testers.

Host a Potluck
Nothing brings people together quite like food. Organize a neighborhood holiday potluck where everyone brings a dish to share — whether it’s grandma’s stuffing recipe or something with more sugar than should be legal. Set up tables with lights and festive decorations to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. With Solstice™ homes’ spacious floorplans, you’ll have plenty of space to host and enjoy a memorable meal together. It’s a welcoming way to learn about each other’s culinary traditions and, of course, enjoy a diverse holiday feast.

Organize a “Light Up Solstice™” Event
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little friendly competition! Organize a neighborhood holiday lights contest with categories like “Most Creative,” “Best Traditional Display,” or “Clark Griswold Award” for that one over-the-top home that really goes all out. Invite everyone to walk or drive through the neighborhood to admire the displays, enjoy some hot cocoa, and vote for their favorites. The cozy fireplaces in Solstice™ homes are perfect for warming up after an evening of light-gazing!

Support Local Charities Together
The holidays are a wonderful time for giving back. Rally your neighbors to support a local charity, through activities like collecting toys for a children’s hospital, bringing canned goods for a food bank, or even adopting a family to provide gifts and essentials. Set up a donation station in a communal area and plan a group delivery to the chosen charity (maybe followed by a celebratory treat at a local coffee shop!).

Plan a Gift-Wrapping Party
Let’s face it — wrapping presents alone can be as fun as watching paint dry. So why not make it a group event? Invite your neighbors over for a gift-wrapping party, and encourage everyone to bring their gifts, wrapping paper, and ribbons. Provide snacks, holiday music, and maybe a little eggnog (with or without a splash of cheer) for extra festive spirit. It’s a fun way to swap wrapping tips, share extra supplies, and make a chore way more fun.

Take a Group Outing to a Local Holiday Event
The greater Littleton area has plenty of holiday events that are perfect for an outing, like Chatfield Farms’ holiday lights display or local winter markets. Arrange a group trip to explore the seasonal events, enjoy some holiday shopping, or simply take in the festive sights together. You could make it an annual tradition. Who knows? It may just become one of your most cherished holiday activities.

Create a Neighborhood Holiday Card Exchange
Add a bit of old-school charm by organizing a holiday card exchange. This can be as simple as drawing names and leaving cards on each other’s porches. Or, you could set up a small mailbox where neighbors can drop off cards for one another. Encourage everyone to get creative with their cards. It’s a simple yet thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer and remind neighbors that they’re part of a close-knit community.

From potluck gatherings to charitable giving, you’ll find countless ways to bring people together and celebrate the holidays in our welcoming community. This season, let Solstice™ be the place where traditions are born and neighbors become friends. Interested in joining a community that values connection and celebration? Schedule a tour today to experience the spirit of Solstice™ for yourself.