Contest imbues the doors with Holiday Spirit

From a smiling snowman to a cozy fire complete with stockings on the mantle, the doors of Homeland Center were transformed into beautiful seasonal postcards as part of the first annual “Holiday Door Decorating Contest.’’

More than 40 doors brightened the halls with holiday cheer as residents and their families had fun competing to be one of the top three doors selected from the Skilled and Personal Care wings.

“A lot of our residents’ children and grandchildren came in and helped with the decorating and some of the doors even have pictures of grandchildren on them,’’ said Ashley J. Brown, Homeland’s assistant director of activities. “The staff helped those residents whose families weren’t able to come in, and everyone had a great time picking colors and deciding on decorations like snowflakes or wreaths.’’

The six winners all received gift baskets of fruit and chocolate from Edible Arrangements. A photo collage of all the doors also graces the front of this year’s Homeland Season’s Greetings card.

Brown said Homeland used to have holiday door decorating contests and that they hope to make it an annual tradition. The doors also sparked many an admiring glance from some of the more than 500 family members and friends who attended Homeland’s holiday party on December 13.

“I think these kinds of activities definitely increase the quality of life for our residents,’’ Brown said. “It is a great family-bonding activity and I think the families really appreciate it when we have activities everyone can do together.’’