December is the joyous month of Christmas in which Santa, Christmas Trees, Tinsel and Wrapping Paper are never in short supply! We love this time of the year at Unilife and enjoy celebrating the festive season with our amazing residents. Here is what happened this December at Unilife;
During the last week of November and first week of December it was time to find the Christmas Trees and put them up around the buildings to signal the start of the festive season. This year a brand new all white Christmas Tree was erected in the entrance of Park House providing a modern, bright and light welcome to all residents and visitors. We have received many compliments on the new white Christmas Tree from residents and the Unilife Team can’t get enough selfies with it! For St James and Earlsdon the classic green Christmas Trees were put up by Marius and Vicky and decorated in the Unilife colours of Purple, Pink & Blue. Finally, it was the turn of Middle Street and the annual trip for Marius to select the perfect real Christmas Tree to place in the entrance for all to see. The biggest, greenest and fullest Christmas Tree was chosen and decorated beautifully by Vicky, Frank and Iulia. You must see our amazing Christmas Trees on Instagram (unilifestudent).
After the buildings were decorated it was time for a treat. First up was ‘Mince Pie Monday.’ On Monday 3rd December we kick started the festive season with a delicious and popular treat, the mince pie! Scrumptious traditional all butter mince pies were available to grab and there was also a selection of other delicious flavours including rum infused, amaretto frangipane, orange & juniper and caramelised hazelnut. The mince pies were very popular and it gave some residents the opportunity to try one for the very first time! The Unilife Team also enjoyed ‘taste testing’ the mince pies along with their coffee in the afternoon.
Next up…the Unilife Christmas Dinners! On Tuesday 4th December the Southampton Christmas Dinner took place at The Slug & Lettuce located across the street from Park House with the Portsmouth Christmas Dinner taking place the day after at The Brewhouse and Kitchen situated on the popular Guildhall Walk. Every guest enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal with a drink amongst friends, neighbours and the Unilife Team. The Christmas competition for best/worst Christmas jumper meant guests entered the festive spirit with plenty of Santa and Reindeer jumpers and even jumpers that lit up and flashed! With a winner at each dinner receiving a Christmas gift bag full of goodies the competition was fierce which resulted in an array of amazing jumpers and outfits. Both dinners enjoyed a festive atmosphere with plenty of Christmas music, selfies involving festive props and laughter at the cracker jokes. Another unmissable and memorable Unilife event!
After an eventful first week it was time to enjoy a relaxing Sunday evening with a Christmas film favourite. In Southampton residents enjoyed ‘Fred Claus’ with Portsmouth cosying up to ‘Love Actually.’ Residents indulged in Christmassy snacks including mince pies, all butter shortbread and celebration chocolates. The perfect way to end the first week in December!
The second week started with a little surprise on every studio door for residents to enjoy…a special bag holding a Lindt Santa and Lindt reindeer. A very tasty treat! Along with the little treat every resident received a handwritten Christmas card wishing them a very happy festive break from all of the Unilife Team.
That same week in Portsmouth it was time for ‘It’s a wrap.’ A wrapping station was set up in Middle Street complete with our very own festive Unilife wrapping paper! There were plenty of blue, purple, pink and white bows plus ribbon to complete the perfect present. A special mention goes to Kamila who showcased her incredible wrapping skills producing perfectly wrapped presents that will look stunning under the Christmas Tree on the 25th!
As you can see December was a fun filled packed one at Unilife and we enjoyed every minute! From Christmas Trees to Christmas Dinners we made sure it was a December to remember!
Merry Christmas everyone!
