Winter community gathering ideas

There are many things to love about the upcoming winter season. I am sure that you have been enjoying the leaves changing colors, the cool mornings and evenings, and watching the farmers clear the fields. Soon, the trees will be left bare, the air will be crisp, we will all take out our coats and hope for that first snow. The winter season means we will have our holiday get-togethers, time with family, baked goods, gifts, football, hot drinks, lights, and all those wonderful winter things.

And yet, winter is the hardest month for many people in our communities. For some, it is a painful reminder that those special holiday moments will never be the same because of a lost loved one. For others, the cold is hard on their bodies and they struggle to get out of their living room. There are many who find themselves lonely, getting trapped in a cycle of Netflix and phone scrolling because of the shorter daylight hours and frigid temperatures.

In my experience as a pastor, there is never a time of year with more mental, emotional, or spiritual health issues like the winter months. A majority of the funerals I have done have happened between the months of December and March. I would say those same months are the busiest for hospital visits as well as general counseling.

Maybe you struggle, or you know some people in your life who typically struggle this time of year. Here is a list of things that might help break the winter blues and create, instead, new avenues for community and better health this winter.

1. Holiday gathering: It’s the most obvious answer. But I encourage you to host a gathering in a different way this year. Find some people in your network who wont be gathering any where else this year. There are so many people all around us who will be sitting home alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is an opportunity to extend your family circle and adopt someone.

2. Volunteer as a group: Call some of your friends and find a place to volunteer your time. One of the places that needs it the most this winter is your local nursing home. Many of the people in those halls feel forgotten during the bustling holiday season. Bring some gifts and holiday cheer to the home and make a new friend or two.

3. Get fit this winter: Winter is bulking season. You are all dressed up in sweaters and coats, no one seems to notice what those pies and cookies are doing to your waistline. Not this year! One of the best ways to meet new people is at group fitness classes at the local gym.

4. Book clubs: I’m a big fan of finding or starting book clubs that mean something to you. Use this winter to work through some big ideas in books with some friends.

5. Game nights: Board games and trivia games are so much fun! Combine that with a charcuterie board and you are set for an evening full of laughs.

What about you? Do you have any winter community gathering ideas? Be sure to comment!

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