Special thanks to Garlands Play Readers, John and Barbara Seaman, Garlands Grandchildren of John and Jackie Matecki and all our Winter Wonderland guests for lending their time and talent to The 2019 Garlands Holiday video.
Set to the following “Garlands-ized” adaptation of The Night Before Christmas, the holiday greeting captures the magic of the holidays at The Garlands of Barrington and year ’round with images captured at the life plan community’s annual Winter Wonderland event – a celebration for Garlands members, team members and their families.
‘Twas the night before Christmas . . .
at The Garlands of Barrington
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house . . .
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out at The Garlands there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from the bed to see “Why all the chatter?”
Away to the window we flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Illuminated The Garlands landscape with twinkle lights all a glow.
Of course! ‘Twas the night of The Garlands Winter Wonderland bash –
A festive tradition that is always a blast!
More rapid than eagles the guests they all came,
Garlands residents, their families and staff – they greeted us by name!
The children so excited to visit grandma and gramps
Dressed in their holiday finest throughout the hallways they danced!
To the hand-crafted Gingerbread Village they did trot
To marvel at each candy-coated Barrington hotspot!
Off for a stroll down Candy Cane Lane
To visit with Santa and sing a carol’s refrain.
There were letters to Santa, Toys for Tots, eggnog and cookies galore,
Carolers, bell ringers and oh so much more!
While Bachmann Strings serenaded high above the Robie Lounge,
The wonder and magic of the holidays did abound, and
As visions of sugar plums danced in our heads,
Admiring guests nibbled on cookies and sweet breads.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof!
Reindeer petting, cocoa sipping, s’more roasting – the fun never stopped!
As ‘round the campus in a horse-drawn carriage we clip clopped.
The lights – how they twinkled! The guests – how merry,
The decorations so festive, the mood – light and airy.
An overwhelming spirit of camaraderie and generosity abound –
It’s the warmth and hospitality The Garlands offers throughout the holidays and year-‘round!
Then, as the evening’s festivities came to a close,
We said our sweet good byes, au revoirs and “adios.”
And I heard them all exclaim, as they drove out of sight –
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
~Adapted by Liana Allison
