Posts about Holidays and Celebrations

Mother's Day Ideas from Outside the Gift Box

Mother’s Day is coming up soon, and we know you don’t want to honor your mother (or other important mother figures) in your life with a lame offering — like another “World’s Greatest Mom” mug, cheesy costume jewelry, or an appliance (unless she has specifically asked for one). So, today, the Windsong Place Apartments Blog is bringing you a list of outside-the-gift-box ideas to spark your imagination for things she would love to receive. A Handwritten Letter It may not seem like much, but a handwritten letter to your mother can be the gift that goes a long way. Gratitude and acknowledgment are two good themes to write about, and your mother is sure to be touched in the best of ways. There is no wrong way to write a heartfelt Mother’s Day letter, so long as you highlight the positives of Mommy Dearest. If serious and sappy aren’t your thing, you can opt to take a lighthearted or a funny approach. A Visit What better gift to your mother than a visit from their child? Schedules permitting, a visit to your mother would be a nice surprise. Make sure the time spent on your visit belongs to your mother, be sure to not schedule any meetings or gatherings with friends, and don’t spend half the time on your phone. Take her out to a nice meal or treat her to a manicure/pedicure. In any case, your mother will be appreciative of the time she got to spend with you. What does she like? First, take a few minutes to think about the things your mother likes. What is her love language ? If you don’t know, this could be a great opportunity to remedy that gap in your knowledge. Does she collect certain things? An addition to her collection would be a lovely gift choice. Does she enjoy the theater, ballet, opera? Tickets to an upcoming production for the two of you for a night out in the Williamsville, NY area is another option. What are you getting for your mom this Mother’s Day? Share your ideas with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

March Madness! It Is Coming to WNY

It’s mid-March, spring is just around the corner, and it’s time for March Madness! Get into the spirit of all things basketball by hosting a March Madness gathering at your Windsong Place apartment here in Williamsville, NY. In our post today we’ve got all the details covered to help you plan your best party yet. Invites With selection Sunday over with, it’s time to take a look at the March Madness Schedule and choose a night to host your party and get invites out ASAP. To help you out, Evite has a great selection of basketball themed invites that make it easy. Food What’s a party without eats? Decide whether you are doing a full meal or just a variety of snacks. If you are doing all the food yourself or going with a potluck. If you do go with a potluck, an easy way to do that is for the host (you) to a meat dish, and ask guests to bring sides and desserts to go with it. Alternatively, if you are doing snacks, be sure to include some healthy options among the goods. If you’re feeling creative, add some dishes/desserts that evoke the whole basketball theme like serving cupcakes decorated to look like basketballs , basketball cake pops , or serve turnovers (we hope your team doesn’t make too many!). Decoration & Music Because there are so many teams, each with their own home base and colors, it may be easier to simply stick to the fundamentals and common ground. Utilize colors like orange and black, which are found in any basketball, so your party is inclusive and fitting no matter which team is on the court. Start with neutral basketball colors, and if you want to you can easily add your favorite team’s colors from there. Having some light music playing can take the pressure off of the lulls in conversation, and can be a great way to set the mood for the festivities. If you’re feeling a bit out-of-touch with what’s being played at games these days, universities and professional teams often have playlists online that they play to get everyone fired up at the game. But you can also go with the soundtracks from basketball video games or basketball-themed movies — like Space Jam or Like Mike . Most importantly, enjoy spending some time with friends and family cheering on your favorite teams. It’s the perfect way to welcome springtime in WNY.

3.14 Reasons to Love Pie Day

In this post, Windsong Place Apartments is featuring pie recipes to help you celebrate Pi Day on March 14th. Calculate the volume of a sphere, recite as many numbers of pi as you can remember, and have some delicious pie on Pi Day at your apartment here in Williamsville, NY. The delicious memories will last forever. Savory Pies Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza If you love your pizza with a bit of a kick, this recipe is for you. Whether you follow this blogger’s recipe for homemade pickled jalapenos or buy your own, they do their job wonderfully by adding a little excitement to your typical pizza. Check out this recipe for a helpful photo tutorial to making a perfect crust, tender chicken, and a tasty pizza. Caramelized Onion, Bacon and Spinach Pizza This is another fun way to spruce up your typical pizza and channel your inner cook for a delicious, restaurant-quality pizza pie. You’ll feel like a gourmet cook as you lay out the spinach and sprinkle on bacon bits. Then cook, let it cool, and enjoy your night of fine dining! Shepherd Pie — Beef and vegetables in a simple tomato sauce, topped with creamy mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese melted over the top. Can you say “hearty meal?” And, it’s still a pie, which makes it the perfect dinner for Pi Day. Who said pie was only for dessert? Dessert Pies Pecan Pie from The Pioneer Woman Cooks blog gives you step-by-step directions complete with pictures for this tasty treat. The commentary is delightful, too. Peach Pie with a lattice top from Taste of Home is sure to please everyone at your table. With this easy-to-follow recipe, the pie will be on the table in no time. Coconut Cream Pie with a recipe from the Pillsbury kitchen is a must-have for Pi Day. With a toasted coconut topping, this pie speaks creamy and crunchy. Mmm tasty! Grandma’s Lemon Meringue Pie . What’s not to like? This blend of sweet and tart is a great way to enjoy pie. And bonus: there is no milk in the recipe, so it can be served to people who are lactose intolerant. Of course, if you don’t want to fuss in the kitchen, simply head out to your favorite place in Williamsville for a slice of pie on the 14th, or any other day in March! Thanks for taking time out to read our post.

How to Make Valentine's Day Special for Anyone

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few weeks! For some people, this is a beloved holiday that lets them partake in and enjoy some love. For others, it can be a difficult time. Make it special, no matter who you’re spending it with or how you have felt about it in the past, by treating yourself and others, in or out of your Windsong Place Apartment in Williamsville, NY. Try some of these ideas to have a great time! Make plans. Before the big day comes, you should be prepared for it! Just the act of setting aside time for something — whether it’s for yourself or someone else — makes it so you are more likely to do that thing, and to do it wholeheartedly, without worrying that you’re missing out on other obligations. This lets you truly bask in whatever you’re doing, helping you do it for the right reasons and appreciate the spirit of the holiday. This spirit behind your action is what will resonate with whoever you’re interacting with, making it that much more special. Serve others. Looking outward is a great way to bring in the warm fuzzies. Look for ways to serve someone else this month, whether it’s related to Valentine’s Day or not! Service ideas can include anything from donating your clothes to a shelter, thrift store, or a specific person in need to making a meal or treat for a neighbor who could use some cheering up. Donate funds, donate your time, or just be present with whoever you’re spending the day with. It will make a difference! Make it a day about you. Of course, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be something people can only joy with others. If you need some time to rest and recuperate from the week, set aside time to treat yourself. Do whatever helps you refresh and feel good about yourself. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods throughout the day, and indulge in a light treat so you can feel great without going overboard. What are your favorite ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day or make it special as you go about the day? Let us know in the comments! We hope you enjoy these ideas or any others you have this month. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Last Minute Gift Giving Tips from Windsong Place Apartments

Choosing the perfect gift for your loved ones year after year can get exhausting, and at this point time is running out. While you may be a gift-giving pro, it’s always a good idea to get new ideas for last minute gifts. Today the Windsong Place Apartments Blog has some ideas for how you can come up with the perfect gift whether you’re shopping at your favorite store in Williamsville, NY or you’re staying in your apartment and shopping online. Last-Minute Gift Ideas It happens every year: suddenly you need a gift for someone you either forgot or didn’t think about getting a gift for. But with a little planning and creativity, you can be prepared ahead of time. Food is always a good option, whether it’s a gift basket filled with cheeses and crackers or fruit or a mix in a jar for cookies or homemade soup, it’s a fun way to share. Passes to a rec center or museum may be just the thing for someone on your list. Lessons or classes make a great gift, too. How about fencing classes, painting lessons, or cooking lessons? So many things are available, you’ll surely be able to find something that matches your recipient’s interests. Check — and Take Advantage of — Holiday Hours Stores know that this is the busiest time of the shopping year, so thankfully for the shopper, sometimes that means hours are extended beyond usual! Just be sure to check your store’s hours either online or by phone so you don’t waste a trip. And if all that’s open is a grocery store, consider going anyway. You might be able to find a perfectly acceptable gift, like a gift card or some inexpensive jewelry or winter gear. Make a Creative Gift A gift doesn’t have to be over-the-top to be great. Make something creative or heartfelt if you can’t make it to the store. Or opt for movie passes or tickets to a concert, theater, or sporting event. So many things are available, you’ll surely be able to find something that matches your recipient’s interests. What are your best tips for shopping or getting gifts last-minute? Let us know in the comments so we can all benefit! Thanks for reading. Good luck shopping. We hope you find success and have a happy holiday season!

The Art of Letter Writing from Windsong Place Apartments

Celebrate Write a Friend Month here in Williamsville, NY this December. Today, Windsong Place Blog is sharing ideas about who to write to; plus we have some tips for how to write a meaningful letter. Not many people write letters anymore to friends and loved ones. Make time this month to change that and express your gratitude and love for that person. Find a friend that you haven’t talked to in a while and let them know you’re thinking about them. A simple text could maybe do the job, but a letter can mean so much more. You could also write a letter to someone you see often, but don’t express your gratitude to. Let them know how they’ve blessed your life and what kind of friend they are to you. How to Write a Meaningful Letter Begin with a salutation (typically what you normally call your friend, be that their full name or a nickname). After the salutation, tell your friend about what’s happening in your life. Include specific examples of things that are happening, and keep it on the light side. Follow that up with questions about what is happening with them. Draw upon the things you have in common, the last interaction you had with them, and things you are genuinely interested in knowing. End with a paragraph about what you appreciate about your friend. Again use a specific example, as specifics tend to feel better than a general “you’re awesome” — explain why you feel whatever sentiment. Be sure to include an invitation for your friend to write back. The wonderful thing about letters is that unlike a phone conversation or text, you can go back and read the letter for years to come. If you’re still feeling a little uncertain about actually sitting down to write, review this helpful guideline for writing letters then head to your favorite stationery supply place in WNY for paper, and get started! We appreciate all of the members of our apartment community! Thanks for taking the time to read our post.