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<\/a><\/p>\nFrom natural holly wreaths to jolly inflatable Santas and strings of twinkling lights, decorating your outside or shared spaces spreads joy and strengthens feelings of community.<\/p>\n
McCarthy Stone homeowners and employees have been busy bringing Christmas to life across their developments<\/a>,<\/u>\u00a0from organising tasteful trees, \u2018stars of hope\u2019 and best-decorated door competitions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fancy making your own Christmas wreath? <\/span>Read this guide.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You might not be able to meet face to face with everyone you\u2019d like to this year, but it\u2019s still important to make time for a proper natter with those you love.<\/p>\n WhatsApp <\/strong>is a fantastic free (as long as you have WIFI) way to keep in touch with family groups, friends and neighbours \u2013 and not just at Christmas.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve set up a group it\u2019s simple to share messages, videos and photos as well as to make group voice or video calls.<\/p>\n A group video chat can be a lot of fun and Zoom<\/strong>\u00a0is perfect for an intuitive casual catch up.<\/p>\n It’s free (for a 40-minute meeting anyway.)\u00a0and the app can be downloaded to any device.<\/p>\n For more support and ideas read McCarthy Stone\u2019s advice for online gatherings, including tips for hosting virtual parties, here.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There may be less of you around the Christmas table this year, so use the opportunity to please yourself and indulge in festive foods and drinks that you really like. Not keen on turkey? Have a steak instead.<\/p>\n In need of inspiration?<\/p>\n Find festive recipes and fine wines to partner Christmas foods here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Did you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n McCarthy Stone homeowners benefit from Morrison\u2019s telephone delivery service and get free next day delivery<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n If you don’t feel like cooking this year there are some onsite bistros for homeowners, but in places still affected by restrictions they\u2019ve had to come up with creative ways to enjoy festive meals.<\/p>\n For instance, Seymour Court in South Shields\u00a0 <\/a>is offering home deliveries of cream teas and hot Christmas lunches.<\/p>\n Volunteering plays a big part in McCarthy Stone developments, but never more so than when the pandemic first struck\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n It was striking how many benefits \u2013 from a sense of purpose to new friends \u2013 it brought the volunteers as well as the people they supported.<\/p>\n The McCarthy Stone Foundation <\/a>can put you in touch with rewarding volunteering opportunities, including teaching children to read.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n McCarthy Stone has a lot to be grateful for in 2020 \u2013 the main thing being that their infection rates were much lower than in the wider population*.<\/p>\n They even received a Special Recognition Award from House Builder Magazine for their employees\u2019 amazing efforts in keeping homeowners healthy and happy.<\/p>\n McCarthy Stone is also incredibly grateful for their homeowners\u2019 resilience and fortitude. It really is a community of remarkable individuals.<\/p>\n From daredevils to artists, fundraisers to WW2 codebreakers, McCarthy Stone celebrated just a few of them through their Christmas Crackers Awards – find out more here.<\/a><\/p>\n McCarthy Stone is the UK\u2019s leading developer of retirement communities offering elegant retirement properties to rent or for sale.<\/p>\n For more information, please visit McCarthy Stone <\/strong><\/a>or search for properties\u00a0<\/b>here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\nKeep in touch \u2013 virtually<\/h5>\n
Feast on festive foods<\/h5>\n
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<\/a>So no fears of not being properly stocked up!<\/p>\nConsider volunteering<\/h5>\n
Give thanks to those who\u2019ve brightened this difficult year<\/h5>\n
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<\/a>It has been a tough year, but it\u2019s important to remember to be thankful too, for the incredible key workers who have made a huge difference to all of us, and the neighbours who brought milk round when we were self-isolating.<\/p>\n
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