Siena on Brendenwood Loves Our Christmas Traditions
A religious or social custom that has been passed down over generations becomes a tradition. It seems that customs slowly and gradually take the shape of traditions as they continue to be handed down the generations. In the month of December many traditions are celebrated at Siena.
The first Tuesday following Thanksgiving is a traditional community decorating day at Siena on Brendenwood. The festivities of the season begin on this day ,when our staff and community members gather together to light up and decorate 8 trees around our community. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know today. It began in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their home. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.
Thomas Edison may be famous for the light bulb, bit it was his partner and friend, Edward Hibberd Johnson, who had the bright idea of stringing light bulbs around a Christmas tree in New York in 1882. By 1914 lights were being mass produced. Traditionally, Siena on Brendenwood captures the beauty of Christmas by displaying approximately 400,000 lights around the campus! Drive along Alpine to view all the lighted deer and decorative trees, then follow the lights right into our lot for more glorious displays. Make this drive a new holiday tradition!
On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day recognizes the third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. The most common way to celebrate St. Nicholas Day is to leave shoes out for St. Nicholas to place small gifts in. Traditionally, the gifts are small candies or coins – little items that bring joy for children. At Christmas, we are all children at heart and we celebrate this tradition at Siena by leaving our shoes outside our apartment or duplex doors on the evening of December 5th. In the morning our shoes will be filled with delights!
In Canada and the United States, since the last 1930’s children have left cookies and milk on the table for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The cookies are cut in the shape of candy canes, reindeer, holly leaves, Christmas trees, stars, and angels. Our Cooking Club has a tradition of rolling out chilled cookie dough, baking and decorating Christmas cookies so they will be able to leave them out on the table for Santa Claus! Though many of us consume the cookies ourselves or give them as gifts to our families for holiday festivities.
A giving tree is a Christmas tree with ornaments for generous people to select to donate Christmas gifts for those in need. Siena Serves, our community volunteer program, participates in Easter Seals Teen Parent Program Christmas Party by donating gifts and wrapping gifts for children and parents. Within the community, we have the Siena Giving Tree. Throughout the month donations are gathered of hats, mittens, socks, canned goods, and non-perishables which are donated to organizations in need within the Rockford community.
We invite you to be a part of Siena’s Christmas traditions!