Hosting Summer Gatherings at Our Austin Retirement Living Community

Become the host with the most this Summer at The Continental!

The best part about the warmer months is all the opportunities to move the entertaining outside! From brunches to birthday parties to book clubs, the ideas to get together and enjoy the beautiful weather are endless.

At The Continental independent senior living community in Austin, we know our residents love to connect with others and want to enjoy their retirement to the fullest. That’s why we not only plan tons of community social events, but we also offer common spaces and outdoor areas for residents to get together on their own terms. Keep reading for some tips and ideas to keep in mind as you navigate your plans this summer.

Start brainstorming what you want to plan

There’s no need to limit social gatherings to just birthdays! Instead, start your planning by thinking of what exactly you want to gather your friends and family around for. Here are some classic and unique ideas for summer gatherings:

• Book club: If you’re a fellow bookworm, starting up a book club with some of your peers in the community is a great way to entertain while also surrounding yourself and your friends with a shared passion for reading! This is also a great idea to continue gathering on a monthly basis.
• Host a dinner party: Whether it’s just your family or a few friends, everyone loves getting together for a little dinner party. Spice it up by making it themed according to the dishes you plan on making.
• Host a picnic or potluck: The best thing about picnics and potlucks is that everyone gets involved by bringing a dish to share, giving them an opportunity to show off their culinary skills and favorite meals!
• Plan a watch party: Whether you are keeping up with a current series or want to re-watch an old favorite movie, make it even more fun by inviting your friends to join!

Plan a time and place

Next, it’s time to narrow down the fine details of your gathering. Will your gathering occur in the morning or evening, on a weekday or weekend? Finding the right timing is key to ensuring that everyone you want to invite is available. We suggest planning your gatherings on the weekend evenings or mornings.

You also have to consider the location! Is it going to be held in your home or outside? As the weather warms up, we recommend holding your gathering on a cooler day or in the morning or evening when the temperature isn’t as hot! We always welcome our residents to take advantage of our common areas within The Continental retirement community, or feel free to venture out to a local park! Here are some of our favorite park suggestions:

• Emma Long Metropolitan Park
• Butler Metro Park
• Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park

Narrow down your guest list

A summer gathering isn’t a summer gathering without an intentional guest list! Narrow down who you’d like to join you during your gatherings. Remember to keep in mind what kind of gathering you’re going to host when creating your guest list. For example, your grandchildren may not want to join in during the book club, but they would love to be a part of a picnic! Keeping this in mind will ensure that you and your guests have a great time together.

We love seeing our residents fully enjoy themselves, the company of their peers, and the amenities we offer here at The Continental. If you have any questions about hosting your summer gatherings in our common spaces, feel free to inquire. We’re here to help!

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about our residency or schedule a tour at The Continental Austin independent living community.