How to Make Holiday Dining Memorable Without Overburdening Senior Care Staff

Food plays a central role in holiday traditions and celebrations, making the season an especially important time for dining operations in senior care communities. While communities may want to create elaborate holiday dining experiences for residents, doing so can place added demands on staff during an already busy time of year. Brightview Senior Living has found ways to make holiday dining memorable for residents while keeping events manageable and enjoyable for dining staff.

Read on to discover how thoughtful planning, staff collaboration, and simple touches can help senior care communities create memorable holiday dining experiences without overburdening their teams.

Creating Holiday-Themed Community Events

Stephane Giannoni, regional director of dining services at Brightview Senior Living

Themed events help build excitement and give residents something special to anticipate, according to Stephane Giannoni, regional director of dining services at Brightview Senior Living. The community celebrates a variety of holidays beyond Christmas, recognizing the different traditions and occasions that are meaningful to residents. “Our chefs are able to create menus that reflect the holiday being celebrated,” he says. “The food must be authentic to the occasion. For example, offering a traditional Thanksgiving menu that residents recognize and enjoy.”

Chef action stations in the dining room are particularly popular because they add an interactive element to the meal. Holiday celebrations also incorporate live music and decorations to create a festive atmosphere. When appropriate, associates wear holiday-themed costumes, while families, children, and grandchildren are invited to participate in holiday meals and special dining events to create intergenerational experiences.

Special happy hours are another popular option and typically feature holiday-themed cocktails and appetizers. Brightview also hosts well-attended gatherings around major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and World Cup.

Planning Events Staff Can Execute

Michael Grieb, regional director of dining services at Brightview Senior Living

Successful holiday events start with planning that balances the desired wow factor with the realities of budget and staff capabilities, according to Michael Grieb, regional director of dining services at Brightview Senior Living. Frontline associates are included in the planning process because they understand the residents, the community layout, and what can realistically be accomplished during a shift.

That collaborative approach generates new ideas while giving associates a greater sense of ownership in the event. “The brainstorming with the cooks and servers yields menu items, displays, and plate presentations that one dining director could never come up with themselves,” explains Grieb. “The buy-in and ownership we get from our associates when they assist in developing the event would never happen if these ideas were not theirs.”

Each Brightview community also taps their management team to assist with holiday and event celebrations, which provides extra support without increasing labor costs. “The department heads and regional support teams all feel invested in their residents and the communities,” says Grieb. “We all roll up our sleeves and cook, clean, and coordinate dining room and event space.”

Creating a Festive Dining Atmosphere

Thoughtful planning extends beyond the menu and helps Brightview create a festive atmosphere throughout its dining spaces. The Vibrant Living department plays a key role in decorating dining venues, according to Giannoni, and communities sometimes work with professional decorators for guidance on transforming spaces for particular holidays or occasions.

“Our dining team uses festive tablecloths, thoughtfully-set tables, and artfully-folded napkins that can complement the occasion,” Giannoni explains. Fresh flowers, greenery, seasonal materials, and attractive centerpieces add a natural and elegant touch. Residents sometimes help create the centerpieces, making the decorations more personal and meaningful.

Even the menu itself can contribute to the atmosphere. A well-designed printed menu on an attractive flyer that coordinates with the holiday or theme offers a simple way to make the occasion feel more special. “It may seem like a small detail, but these touches help make the meal feel like an event, rather than just another day in the dining room,” Giannoni explains.

Balancing Special Menus With Staff Capacity

Brightview’s chefs and cooks are closely involved in planning holiday meals, helping ensure that menu ideas are realistic for each community’s kitchen and team. “They know what is possible with the equipment, time, and skillsets available,” says Grieb. “This is the culinary team’s opportunity to utilize their creativity.”

To keep the workload manageable, dining teams typically balance dishes prepared from scratch with pre-prepared items and ingredients. Buying precut vegetables, for example, can free up cooks to spend more time on dishes that require additional preparation while still allowing the team to offer special holiday menu items.

Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

Creating a memorable holiday meal does not always require elaborate additions. Small changes can make the experience feel special for residents while remaining manageable for staff. Brightview, for example, prepares welcome beverages specifically for special occasions, such as sparkling cider, hot chocolate, seasonal punch, or a festive mocktail. These drinks can immediately establish a celebratory atmosphere without requiring extensive preparation.

Personal recognition can also make the occasion more meaningful. Staff make an effort to greet and acknowledge residents individually during events. “A simple, heartfelt, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Smith – we’re so glad you’re celebrating with us,’ can make residents feel valued and appreciated,” Giannoni explains.

Brightview also looks for opportunities to create photo-worthy moments for residents and their families. A beautifully decorated backdrop or festive dining room setting gives families a natural place to take photos and capture memories of the celebration together.

“We pay attention to the little things,” says Giannoni. “Hot, well-prepared food, clean and polished silverware, properly set tables, attractive presentation, and attentive service often make a greater impact than expensive decorations.”

Advice on How to Make Holiday Dining Memorable and Manageable

Communities can exceed residents’ expectations without making holiday events excessively costly or labor-intensive. Thoughtful presentation can elevate even relatively simple dishes and turn an ordinary meal into something that feels special. “Simple menu items with thoughtful presentation will make an impact,” Grieb explains. “Fresh herbs, edible flowers, and dramatic, colorful food make all the difference in the world.” Something as simple as tossing and plating a salad in the dining room can impress residents by adding an interactive element. “These presentations and action stations transform a meal into a dining experience,” adds Grieb.

Creating positive experiences for staff is also an important part of delivering successful holiday events. Giannoni emphasizes the importance of ensuring that associates are happy and fulfilled. “That positive energy translates directly into the care they provide,” he says.

Communities should also recognize that holiday celebrations cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Resident populations differ from community to community, making it important to give staff the flexibility to create experiences that reflect the people they serve. “No two events will be the same based on age, cultural backgrounds, preferences, and life experiences,” Giannoni explains. “We understand that and grant the flexibility to host an event that is for each community.”

Paige Cerulli

Paige Cerulli is a contributing writer to i Advance Senior Care.