Posts about Holidays and Celebrations

Embracing Active Living: A Guide to Thriving in an 55+ Community

Welcome to StoneGate’s 55+ apartment community! We understand that as we age, it can become more difficult to maintain an active social life and stay connected with others. That's why we've created a community that caters specifically to those 55 years and older, where you'll find like-minded individuals and a wide variety of activities and events to keep you engaged and connected. Our homes bring residents together through fitness classes, tea time, game nights, catered breakfast, and more! We also host special events throughout the year, such as holiday parties and resident birthday parties. With new events added regularly, there's always something to look forward to! Our community is also conveniently located near shopping, dining, and entertainment options, so you'll never be at a loss for things to do. We're also close to airports, making it easy to travel. With the added peace of mind of having a secure building and on-site management with 24/7 customer service, you'll be able to enjoy everything our community has to offer with ease and comfort. In addition to the many social and recreational opportunities available, our community also offers numerous amenities including swimming pools and fitness centers. Our apartments are spacious and offer stainless steel appliances, trash valet, and more. We understand that when it comes to finding a new home, you have many options. However, we believe that StoneGate’s 55+ apartment community offers something truly special. We strive to create a welcoming environment where residents can come together, make new friends, and enjoy all of the benefits of living in a close-knit community. We invite you to see for yourself what sets StoneGate apart. Take a tour of our apartments and see our amenities, meet some of our residents, and learn more about the activities and events we have planned. We're confident that you'll see why our community is the perfect choice for those 55 years and older. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you!

Retirement Coming Up Soon? Plan a Party!

If you, or someone you know, has recently retired or is planning on retiring soon, don’t you think the occasion demands a celebratory party? We do, and this month StoneGate Apartment Homes Blog is bringing members of our apartment community here in Williamsville, NY some ideas about how to pull off a successful gathering. Choose a Location The location of where to hold your party is dependent upon several factors such as how many people you plan on inviting, what the guest of honor prefers, and the tone of the entertainment. Some suggestions: Reserve the clubhouse here at StoneGate Plan a luncheon or dinner at the retiree’s favorite restaurant A pot luck meal at the office if the honoree hasn’t left quite yet Drinks & nibbles after work at a local venue A social hall at a local venue in Williamsburg A picnic at a local park Party Planning Essentials Decide who you are going to invite, and if it’s an office-based retirement party, be sure to include the retiree’s family members, essentially, include the people who are important in the retiree's life. Decide whether or not to include speeches and include the accomplishments of the retiree as part of the speech — but make sure your speakers won’t be long-winded. Allow time for the retiree to share parting thoughts too. Depending on the venue, you may want to include music in the background. Include some retirement-themed songs in the playlist. Designate a photographer to get pictures of the occasion and create a photo book with the pictures as a gift for the honoree. Retirement gifts from the office are often a part of the party. If you plan on giving one, be sure it’s tasteful and fits the person being honored. Check out these retirement gift ideas to get a feel for what is appropriate. Whichever way you decide to go, we hope these tips will spark your imagination to plan the best retirement party WNY has seen!

Pi Day 3.14 at StoneGate Apartment Homes

Welcome back to the Stonegate Apartment Homes Blog! This week we are taking a look at an important, but sometimes overlooked March holiday, Pi Day! In 2009, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 224, designating March 14th as National Pi Day in the United States. The resolution “encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.” We think whether or not you are in school, any excuse to learn about pi and eat pie is a good one! So, just in case you didn’t know, the number π is the mathematical constant, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159, which goes on to infinity and beyond. We take the first three digits, 3.14, and read them as a date: Pi Day, March 14th — now for the pie. We suggest either making a pie for pie day or heading out to your favorite Williamsville, NY bakery or pizza shop for some delicious pie. If you decide to make a pie, we have some suggestions: Banana Cream Pie from Bon Appetit This pie is perfect for your Pi Day celebration. Filled with creamy richness, a hint of chocolate, and piled on top with whipped cream, this pie will be a hit. Grandma’s Lemon Meringue Pie What’s not to like? This blend of sweet and tart is a great way to enjoy pie. And bonus: there is no milk in the recipe, so it can be served to people who are lactose intolerant. Ultimate Pi Day Pie from the Food Network This idea is straightforward enough: prepare your crust, fill that with your favorite pie filling, and top it with every digit of pi that you can fit on your confection. Serve this to some of your friends and you’ll look like the smartest, most talented baker around! However you spend the day, we hope you remember it for 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 5820974944 5923078164 0628620899 8628034825 3421170679 ...

Decorate Your WNY Apartment for Valentine's Day

Here at StoneGate Apartment Homes, we have some ideas to infuse your apartment with some lovely images, textures, and more by decorating it with Valentine’s Day in mind! Today we have ideas for a few Valentine’s Day-themed crafts and decor ideas for you to try in your apartment here in Williamsville, NY. Candy Heart Garland from Tell Love and Party Decorating with a themed garland is a must for any holiday or season: it’s festive, and it’s easy to make and personalize to your tastes. Plus, garlands leave a visual impact, whether you’re going all out and making the elements of it really intricate or you’re going for a more minimalistic route. This particular garland just has you cutting out a bunch of paper hearts, stamping words on them, punching holes into them, and stringing bakers twine through them. Heart Tree from Money Hip Mamas This idea won’t take much out of you — just enough time to pick some branches, find a vase or pitcher, and use a hot glue gun for the assembly. Cut out your own paper hearts or buy some glitter or felt ones to create the look you’re going for. This is a classy and fun way to add just a touch of Valentine’s Day spirit to your apartment. LOVE Wall Art from Momista Beginnings A similar type of project as the previous craft, this fingerpainting-themed craft is perfect for those with a creative spirit. It also utilizes stencils to let the artist dip their fingers directly in paint and have at it, creating a beautiful masterpiece as they do. What are your favorite ways to decorate for Valentine’s Day or for this time of year in general? Let us know in the comments so we can all get inspired! Thanks for reading. Good luck and have fun crafting. Have a great February.

Take a Break with a Movie Suggestion from StoneGate Apartment Homes

This month gets extra busy, and there’s no doubt about it, a break may be just what you need. We think movies are the perfect way to take a break, so head out to your favorite Williamsville theater and catch what’s on the big screen, or stay at home in your StoneGate Apartment and watch a holiday classic while you drink hot cocoa and eat peppermint-infused holiday treats. Whichever you decide, we’ve got suggestions. Now Playing in Western New York Mary Poppins Returns “Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.” Are you a fan of the Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke classic? Head to the theaters on or after December 19th to get your fill of the latest take of this wonderful story. “Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.” Welcome to Marwen “A victim of a brutal attack finds a unique and beautiful therapeutic outlet to help him through his recovery process.” Steve Carell is sure to deliver plenty of laughs, gasps, and tears in this moving biography set to come out on December 21st. Here’s the synopsis: “A victim of a brutal attack finds a unique and beautiful therapeutic outlet to help him through his recovery process.” Holmes & Watson “A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.” Check out Movie Insider to see what else is currently playing in WNY and get tickets ahead of time to save time once you get to the theater. Holiday Classics to Watch at Home It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) — Drama, Family, Fantasy An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. The Bishop’s Wife (1947) — Drama, Family Starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven, this holiday tale of a neglected wife and an obsessed clergyman comes to life when an angel intervenes to help them both learn the real reason behind the season. The Shop Around the Corner Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal. We want to wish everyone in our apartment community happy holidays! Thanks for taking the time to read our post today.

Holidays and Celebrations

It’s true that October and November are filled with pumpkin and spice, but we’re moving on to December, and peppermint is the flavor at hand! Today the StoneGate Apartment Homes Blog is sharing tips for how to use peppermint, from helping with headaches to making a drink or dessert sparkle. Uses for Peppermint Oil (It is recommended to use peppermint in a carrier oil — such as jojoba or almond oil — so as not to burn the skin by applying directly.) Combat nausea with peppermint by placing several drops (in a carrier oil) on wrists and abdomen for soothing relief, or make up a peppermint tea to drink to settle an upset stomach. Breathe deep. Peppermint oil can be used to help clear a stuffy nose. Put a few drops in a diffuser or vaporizer to use, or simply bring a pan of water to a boil and add ten drops of peppermint. When the boiling water begins to steam, breath it in to open your nasal passages. Use with a carrier oil to rub on the chest to soothe a cough. For fresh breath add a drop to a small glass of water along with a pinch of salt to create a refreshing mouth rinse. Peppermint Inspired Recipes No-Bake Peppermint Bark Cookies from The Suburban Soapbox You won’t even need to turn on your oven for this recipe for peppermint bark cookies, a quick and tasty treat that you will love snacking on. Here’s what you will need: chocolate wafer cookies, pure peppermint extract, crushed candy canes, and good quality white chocolate. Peppermint Icebox Cake from Country Living Another tasting peppermint dessert, this one with no baking required! For the crust, you’ll need chocolate Oreo cookies, salt, and unsalted butter. For the filling: cream cheese, marshmallow creme, peppermint extract, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and red food coloring. For the topping: heavy cream, powdered sugar, and crushed peppermint candies. Incorporate Peppermint Candy Canes Candy canes are the epitome of peppermint-infused holiday cheer. Striped red and white candy canes provide the perfect festive touch to your holiday. Make a candy cane vase or a candy cane wreath , or keep it even simpler by filling a decorative mug with candy canes and setting it out on display. You can also use candy canes to make these other fun crafts . We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to peppermint today! We want to wish everyone in our Williamsville, NY apartment community happy holidays! Next time we’ll have movie suggestions for the season, so stay tuned.