Posts about Holidays and Celebrations

Thanksgiving-Themed Games for Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is coming up this week, and chances are you already have the seating assignments and menu (including the pumpkin pie) all figured out. You may even know what you’re going to do while you’re waiting for the star of the show, the turkey, to cook. But what about after dinner when everyone is full, and there’s nothing much to do? Today the Windsong Place Apartments Blog has some Thanksgiving-themed game suggestions to share with members of our apartment community here in Williamsville, NY — the perfect activity for post-dinner family and friends time. Turkey Waddle Relay Participants in this race must hold an inflatable turkey (or balloon) between their legs, using only their legs, and race to the designated points where they pass off the balloon to their teammates. If someone drops the balloon or pops it, their team automatically loses. Record the race and watch it later for some good laughs! Thanksgiving Pictionary This classic drawing party game is modified to become the perfect Thanksgiving-themed team face-off. Players take turns attempting to draw different words associated with the holiday, while their team members must try to guess the word. For more ideas and insight on how to play the game, follow the link above to the tutorial from I Dig Pinterest. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt Remind everybody of the real reason for the season with this picture scavenger hunt where you must search for things you are grateful for and take a picture with them. Set a time limit and once everyone is back together, share your photos with each other. For a pre-made list and some suggestions follow the link to the tutorial from Let’s Get Together. Bonus Ten Thanksgiving Trivia Questions *Trivia from Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers . 1. True or False — Thanksgiving is celebrated only in the United States. False. Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving in October. 2. What was the name of the ship the pilgrims came over on, and who was the captain? The Mayflower with Captain Christopher Jones. 3. The term "cornucopia" means what? Horn of Plenty. 4. What part of the turkey is saved and snapped as a superstitious good luck custom? Wishbone. 5. What is the name of the book that Governor William Bradford wrote telling of the troubles and experiences of the pilgrims? “Of Plymouth Plantation.” 6. Why is the male turkey often referred to as "Tom Turkey?" After Thomas Jefferson, because Jefferson was opposed to the idea of a turkey as our national bird. 7. True or False — Turkeys can drown if they look up in the rain. True. 8. True or False — The following towns with "turkey" in their names are really towns in the United States: Turkey, Texas; Turkey Creek, Louisiana; Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Feather, New Mexico. There is no Turkey Feather, New Mexico. All others towns are correct. 9. True or False — The pilgrims dressed in colors, not just black and white. True. The Puritans wore black and white, but the pilgrims wore colorful clothing. 10. Of the original 102 pilgrims that came, approximately how many survived to celebrate the first Thanksgiving? Fifty. What are your plans for post Thanksgiving dinner (besides a nap or watching football)? Let us know in the comments so we can expand our options. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend.

It's Movie Time at Windsong Place Apartments

In our last post, we shared tips for Halloween pumpkin decorating, and this month we’re moving on to another holiday, Thanksgiving. Specifically, the Windsong Place Apartments Blog is sharing a list of recommendations for movies to watch this month with a Thanksgiving theme, plus we’ve got the scoop on what’s coming to theaters here in Williamsville, NY. Make plans now to enjoy a movie or two this month with family and friends. First, let’s take a look at new movies out this month. Coming Out in Williamsville Theaters in November Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald “The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series set in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.” Ralph Breaks the Internet “Six years after the events of ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.” A glimpse into the newest adventures of Ralph and Vanellope comes to theaters near you starting November 21st. Robin Hood We don’t think there are enough adaptations of this classic tale. Head to a theater near your apartment to catch the latest one. Here’s what you can expect: “A war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance.” Catch Robin Hood in theaters on November 21st. A few more movies to enjoy that we suggest seeing in November: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Grinch, and Creed II. Three Thanksgiving-Themed Movies to Watch this Month A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving “Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, and with Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, he attempts to throw together a Thanksgiving dinner.” Alice’s Restaurant “A Thanksgiving classic, Alice’s Restaurant hit the big screen in 1969. This larger-than-life recreation of Arlo Guthrie's song of the same name is an entertaining romp through 1960s pop culture.” Dutch “Ed O’Neill (of ABC’s “Modern Family” and “Married with Children”) stars in this 1991 comedy about a meat-and-potatoes construction worker’s attempt to stay firmly ensconced in his girlfriend’s good graces -- by retrieving her preppy son from boarding school in time for Thanksgiving.” Do you have favorite movies to watch in November each year? Please share them in the comments so we can all check them out. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here at Windsong Place Apartments!

Get the Scoop on Pumpkin Carving from Windsong Place Apartments

Carving pumpkins for Halloween is a time-honored tradition for many members of our community here at Windsong Place Apartments, and this month we’ve got the scoop on how to create amazing pumpkins, not only by carving them but with other techniques too. Read on for how to have the best Jack o’lanterns in all Williamsville, and perhaps WNY! Tips for Carving Pumpkins Pumpkin carving is a fall tradition. Heading over to the pumpkin patch, trudging through the vines and the dirt, and then spotting the pumpkin that will sit in your home for the next couple of weeks can be a momentous event. Choose a pumpkin that is fresh, has a sturdy stem, a flat bottom, and no bruising. Once you have it home, the fun continues. Follow these tips for a successful venture. When you are cutting the lid, cut it at an angle (not straight up and down) for a better fit. After you have scooped out all of the pumpkin guts (an ice cream scoop works well for this task), rinse your pumpkin out with lemon water and then coat with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help it retain its freshness. Burn a candle in the pumpkin with the lid on; remove the lid and notch a “chimney” in the area where smoke has blackened the lid. Sprinkle a mixture some pumpkin pie spice on the inside of the lid, or spike it with whole cloves, and when you light a candle the heat will release the delicious smell of pumpkin pie! Alternatives to Carving Pumpkins Chalkboard Pumpkins Cover your pumpkin in black chalkboard paint and decorate as you please with chalkboard markers. The best part is you can erase it just like a chalkboard and create a brand new design or image! What you will need: pumpkins or gourds of any size, black chalkboard spray, a chalkboard marker, masking tape, and newspaper to protect your surface. Crayon Drip Art Pumpkin All you need to make this fun craft is a white pumpkin, 16-20 crayons in a variety of colors, tacky glue, a blowdryer, and a trash bag or surface covering. The colored melted wax gives your pumpkin a super cool look! Nail Polish Marbled Pumpkin These miniature pumpkins look out of this world with the cool marbled effect from the nail polish. Follow the tutorial from Say Yes to learn how to make them. Cross-Stitched Pumpkins Cross-stitching is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking of ways to decorate a pumpkin, but you will love the stitched look that is perfect for Halloween time. Find printable cross stitch patterns for free online. Have a great time decorating pumpkins to decorate your Windsong Place Apartment! We’re excited to see what you come up with. Happy Halloween!