Have you ever wondered what celebrating the festive season in a lifestyle village feels like compared to previous Christmas’s? Talking to the residents of Fairview Lifestyle Village, a vibrant community, it’s easy to see the appeal. From seamless festive planning to a sense of connection that runs deeper than tinsel and fairy lights, Christmas at Fairview offers a unique blend of tradition, joy, and community support.
“You know what we do here—we laugh. We laugh a lot.”
Christmas in Fairview begins well before December 25th. Wendy, a three-year resident of the village, shares, “Decorations go up early here—it’s nice to see. You have the decorations at the main lodge and reception, and then those in the villas tend to decorate their letterboxes with Christmas lights. In the apartments, people add wreaths to their doors or simply decorate their doors in other ways.” This early start sets the festive tone and fills the village with a warm holiday spirit.
The Christmas lights are a highlight for many. Jill adds, “The lights! Yes, the Christmas lights. People in the villas put on a great show—we even have special nights where you can go and look at them— have a glass of wine. The lights are in trees, gardens, on the homes.” It’s these little details that bring the community together and foster moments of joy.
“It’s all so easy”
One of the standout aspects of celebrating Christmas in a lifestyle village is how much effort is taken off your shoulders. “If you’re here on Christmas Day, there’s a big lunch—you just pop over to Cherie at reception and register for that. The rest is done for you! It’s a lovely celebration, and it means that nobody is lonely here on Christmas Day,” says Jill, who has spent 12 years at Fairview.
Throughout the holiday season, there’s a variety of well-organised events and activities. Jocelyn reflects, “There’s lots of special events just for us at Christmas. We had the Westlake Girls Year 9 students singing carols, and they even handed out their own home baking after. Pinehurst students came the other day and helped dish out dinner, and Oteha Valley School visited recently too.“
Jill applauds the Social Committee, saying, “There’s a social committee here—they put in so much hard work—planning everything. They come in to set up—you should have seen how the Christmas dinner was set up—the tables and decorations and everything.”
"We're one big family. We bounce off each other."
Perhaps the most distinctive difference between Christmas in a lifestyle village and living outside one is the abundance of social opportunities.
Events like the Christmas dinner embody this spirit of togetherness. Jill describes the recent celebration with enthusiasm, “Last night, we had the Christmas dinner. It was so much fun. The dance floor was so packed, we couldn’t possibly fit another person on the dance floor. We had 18 tables—180 people—it was amazing.“
Jocelyn highlights the atmosphere, saying, “I love that it’s not pretentious here. You can be yourself. Last night at the Christmas dinner—well, you have people dressed up to the nines and they look amazing, people dressed in Christmas outfits for a laugh, and then lots of people who’re dressed casually—and well, that suits me! (laughs)“
The camaraderie continues beyond the big events. Jill shares, “The socialising is the best thing about Christmas here. Take the dinner last night—I looked around and thought, there’s nobody here that I don’t want to talk to—I want to talk to everyone. Everyone gets along so well. It’s like a big family.“
The village even organises smaller gatherings for its more than 20 social clubs, from bowls to line dancing, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
The Perfect Mix of Traditions
Jocelyn explains the difference between celebrating Christmas before village life and after.
“There’s lots of special events just for us at Christmas. We had the Westlake Girls Year 9 students singing carols, and they even handed out their own home baking after. Pinehurst students came the other day and helped dish out dinner, and Oteha Valley School visited recently too. That’s perhaps the difference between Christmas here and at home—there’s a real sense of community across generations and there’s someone to organise it for you!”
Importantly, celebrating Christmas in a lifestyle village doesn’t mean giving up your traditions. Jocelyn sums it up perfectly, “Well the good thing is that—there really is no difference (laughs) in terms of it feeling like Christmas at home. We keep our rituals and traditions, but there are lots of other traditions at the village you can join in on.“
If you don’t have family close by, you can have lunch in the village on Christmas day, but if you do, you get the best of both worlds – Christmas with family and the build-up with village family, explains Dorren. “We moved here from Blenheim—we were there about 10 years—previously we lived on the North Shore. So we’re looking forward to having a Christmas with our family who all live on the Shore”.
Fairview Lifestyle Village allows residents to strike the perfect balance of keeping their personal family traditions while participating in vibrant community celebrations.
Christmas redefined and refined!
For retirees seeking a meaningful, worry-free, and connected way to celebrate the holidays, a lifestyle village like Fairview offers the perfect setting. With beautifully organized events, a warm sense of community, and the opportunity to form lasting connections, residents truly experience the best of both worlds—a homey Christmas atmosphere and a bustling social calendar.
As Doreen puts it best,
"We don’t want for anything here." And perhaps that’s the greatest gift of all.
