Holiday Traditions Old & New at Nevada City Cohousing

Our neighborhood has a rich tradition of holding many fun and endearing events during the winter season. These have now been passed down through several generations as new families move in and older kids move out to the larger world. No one is required to participate in any of these, but all are easy to join as you are inspired. No committee is assigned to any of these.

Our Winter Traditions

• Winter Trolls
• Gingerbread houses
• Book swap
• Cookie exchange
• Chanukah latke dinner
• Polar Express or other seasonal movie night
• Winter tree - ornaments and trek to nature tree with cocoa
• House caroling 
• Solstice fire night
• Christmas Day dinner/potluck or this year a Chrismakah Potluck on December 25th

And they aren’t just for kids! In fact, I’ve counted 18 adults participating in Winter Trolls. When I was overwhelmed with family obligations this time of year, I didn’t troll, but now I do. You pull a name, and then over the week before Christmas, you leave about three small surprise gifts for them. A candle, something yummy, or this winter elf with aloe plant I found at my front door. 

My personal favorite is the Winter Spiral, where we lay a spiral of evergreen branches on the common house terrace with a candle in the middle. Each person walks the spiral, lighting their own candle from the central candle, and then leaves it burning somewhere along the spiral as they walk out. All in silence, on a cold winter night with our own harpist. Every year I watch my beloved neighbors, from the youngest and the eldest (sometimes holding our collective breaths that they won’t fall) walk the spiral and share the light. 

Once again, I am so grateful to live in community, and hope all of you have found or are finding yours, and that your community both challenges you to be your best self and nourishes you to stay active in our larger world. 

May your holidays be filled with kind people, lots of smiles, unexpected blessings and joy in your world! 

Katie

CS Clients Celebrating Their First Holidays Together

Heartwood Commons (Tulsa, OK) had a wonderful (and delicious) first Thanksgiving together.

HC has a few available homes - contact them to learn more

Washington Commons (West Sacramento, CA) held their first tree decorating (with potluck, of course!)

WCC has a few condos available - contact them to learn more

People have moved in to Bozeman Cohousing, but they are still awaiting their common house, expecting completion early next year. Nevertheless, holiday spirit abounds.

Learn more about Bozeman Cohousing

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