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One of the most rewarding parts of the holiday season is the opportunity to give gifts to your family, and there is no better gift than spending quality time together. Fortunately, Southgate at Shrewsbury is located nearby to a variety of fantastic experiences that can make fabulous gifts for your loved ones. 

Give the gift of art: Southgate is conveniently located between Worcester and Boston, so you have your pick of art museums to choose from! Consider gifting your loved ones a membership to The Worcester Art Museum or the Massachusetts Fine Arts Museum, both of which offer many different membership levels that everyone will enjoy. You can plan multiple days in the new year to spend with your family exploring exhibits, programs, and seeing breathtaking works of art.

Gift the gift of cooking together: Sign yourself and your adult kids or older grandchildren up for a cooking class so you can learn something new together! You could even learn a recipe that could become a new holiday tradition! Central Massachusetts has several places to give this thoughtful gift, including Patty’s Kitchen. 

Give the gift of science and nature: At Southgate we know that lifelong learning is a key to a happy life, which is why we host so many educational experienes for residents. You can help your grandkids get started on that journey early with a membership to the Ecotarium, where they can explore STEM activities, botanical gardens, and zoos. Plus, with a Family Base Membership, up to four people can be admitted at once, meaning that you can go alongside your grandkids for a day of fun, adventure, and learning. It’s less than 20 minutes from Southgate so it will be the perfect place to meet up with the whole family. 

Give the gift of arts and crafts: Spend quality time with your loved ones creating your own beautiful pieces of art with a gift certificate to Claytime! Together, you can visit the local pottery studio to unleash your creativity through painting. Not only will you leave the studio with a new piece of art, but you’ll also have created special memories that will last forever, plus Claytime is located right here in Shrewsbury! 

No matter what kind of gift you choose to present your loved ones this year, they will be extra appreciative that you took the time to think of such a thoughtful gift for them. Giving experiences is a great way to plan ahead for the new year and focus on things you can do together, instead of just material objects. These local experiences are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime!

It’s always important in life to prioritize both your mental and physical health. Your mind and body are inter-connected and need to be cared in tandem in order for you to feel happy, fulfilled, and stress-free.

At Southgate, we encourage you to take care of your mind and body all year long by exploring hobbies and activities that are both in and outdoors. We also encourage you to try something new, because learning new things helps keep your mind agile, and you never know which new activities could become favorites that will change your lifestyle for the better. 

Here are some ways to decompress and keep your mind and body stress-free:

Journal: Journaling can help you stay more organized by getting your thoughts out on paper. It can also relieve stress by allowing you to speak your mind and feel things through written words. You can use a journal daily or simply whenever you feel like you need to get something onto paper to preserve a memory or work through a complex situation. There’s no right or wrong way to keep a journal, and it’s a nice way to plan ahead, make lists, and sort through your thoughts and feelings.

Meditation, Yoga & Tai Chi: Meditation, yoga and Tai Chi and are great ways to center your mind and body together. Mediation connects the mind and body through breath work and relaxation. You can sign up for a class with a friend to get started, or practice breathing techniques on your own! Either way, you’re bound to feel more relaxed afterwards!

Learn something new: Getting out of your comfort zone and learning new things is a wonderful way to put your body and brain to work – without stressing yourself out! You can take up an art or computer class, start a new fitness routine, or read a book that teaches you something you didn’t know before. Whatever it is, the new thing you learn will expand your mind and allow you to try something fresh. We can create a customized workout routine for you at our Health Club, which will be tailored to your goals and current fitness level and revamp your routine.

Eat a healthy diet: Healthy food fuels us, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables each and every day. When we eat well, we feel good, so make sure to eat balanced meals that not only are tasty, but are also nourishing! Our three restaurants offer you a variety of dining options, and our in-unit kitchens mean you can craft your own recipes that fit your goals.

Stay social: Keeping up with friends, families, and neighbors is a great way to boost your mind and spirit. You can go on walks, have dinner together, or start a book club. Being around other people is a nice way to know you’re not alone, and to stay connected and up to date on things happening around you.

Here at Southgate at Shrewsbury, we support our residents in doing what makes them feel good and stay happy. That’s why we offer several amenities that allow you to find new hobbies, keep in touch with friends, and stay active. 

Picking up a new hobby is a great way to keep yourself busy as the seasons change. No matter if the flowers begin to blossom, the sun starts to shine, the leaves begin to fall, or a light snowfall makes its arrival, every season is the perfect season to learn something new.

Crafting is a great activity to do both by yourself or with friends. It can be calming, provide peace of mind, and allow you to create something from scratch. Learning a new hobby is another wonderful way to expand both your creativity and social circle.

Here are some fun, simple craft ideas and new hobby suggestions:

Build a birdhouse: Building and decorating a birdhouse is a great way to showcase creativity and interact with animals! Some birdhouses come pre-made and give you the option to paint them and add other decorative elements, while others can be built from scratch. If you’re interested in building your own, consider paying out Woodworking Shop a visit to get started.

Decorate garden rocks: A fun way to spruce up your garden here at Southgate is to add painted stones. You can decorate rocks with different colors, inspirational messages, and beautiful pictures to add something different and special to your garden of greens. You can do this by purchasing a stone painting kit or simply by collecting rocks from outdoors.

Start scrapbooking: Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve memories and have all of your pictures in one place. One of the most exciting things about scrapbooking is that it isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can add as much detail and decor to your scrapbook as you wish, or you can keep it simple and light. Scrapbooking allows you to get as creative as you’d like by choosing paper with unique designs, stickers, and tangible  keepsakes like photographs, ticket stubs, and dried flowers

Craft homemade ornaments: For a craft that can double as a sentimental gift, try making your own homemade ornaments. Ornaments can be made out of supplies as simple as paper and string, or you can get more advanced and use a salt dough recipe. Salt dough is great for making ornaments of your grandkids’ handprints, and for crafting decorative shapes like snowflakes, trees, and hearts. After you complete the dough design, you can add paint, glitter, and other decor so that it looks perfect hanging from a tree.  Here’s a recipe you can try: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/240641/salt-dough

Take a computer lesson: The internet is a great place to connect with friends old  and new, and you can access it on both your computer and mobile phone. If you’re interested in advancing your technological skills, try taking a computer class to gain a better understanding of how to use it on an everyday basis to do things like connect with friends, shop online, read articles, and watch videos. Taking a class allows you to develop your skills, and make friends who are trying to learn the same new hobby as you!

At Southgate at Shrewsbury, our residents have access to several amenities, including our Arts and Crafts Studio. We encourage you to try something new and create a piece of art that you’re proud of by visiting the studio today, or by crafting in an art class or even in your own living space!

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing and the temperatures are beginning to drop. Another New England fall is on the horizon, and while it’s nice to stay inside and relax from time to time, it’s also good to get out and see the world around us, especially during such a beautiful season.

If you’re looking to get out and explore your surroundings this fall, consider these must-see New England travel destinations that are both fun and accessible to seniors:

Tougas Apple Farm: Apple picking is the ultimate fall activity to enjoy with friends and family. Located in Northborough, Tougas Apple Farm has a wide selection of pick-your-fruits, homemade baked goods like cider donuts and bread, and a barnyard filled with goats. Enjoy a nice, relaxing day on the farm taking in the fresh fall air and snacking on delicious fruit.

West End Creamery: West End Creamery is a wonderful place to explore all year round, but is especially exciting in the Autumn when they host their annual Fall Festival on the Centennial Farm. Open from September 23rd to October 29th, the Fall Festival features activities such as corn mazes and a pumpkin patch. It’s a great place to experience with friends, family, and kids!

Wayside Inn: If you’re looking for a more laid back indoor activity taking in historic architecture, head over to the Wayside Inn in Sudbury. The over 300 year old building has plenty of rooms and trails to explore, as well as excellent dining options. There’s so much to see that you can even plan an overnight stay to take it all in. They also host events all Autumn long like Apple Fest, Oktoberfest, and Cider Fest.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill: The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a must-see location due to its ongoing events for all ages and beautiful greenery. In September and October, the Botanic Garden will host fall crafting events like creating your own flower arrangements and felt pumpkins as well as a Fall Tree Identification Walk.

Old Sturbridge Village: The Old Sturbridge Village is a great place to tour if you’re looking to expand your New England knowledge and take in historical buildings, landscapes, and gardens. This outdoor museum has over 200 scenic acres to explore, and frequently offers discounts for seniors! You can take a trip to investigate the historical landmarks for a day, or go to one of their fall-themed events later in the season.

At Southgate at Shrewsbury, we encourage all of our residents and their visitors to explore the beautiful fall destinations that New England has to offer. Experiencing new places and things can do wonders for your mental and physical health, as well as create memories that will last a lifetime.