Inspiration for Multicultural Celebrations

No matter the time of year, celebrating other cultures around the world is always a meaningful way to bring neighbors together. Foods, flavors, music, colors, and textures all have the power to transport us to new places or bring to mind memories of our own cultural experiences. Today, we're bringing you inspiration and examples from our teams who have pulled this off with excellence!

Indian Cuisine Night

Coordinators at Main Street Flats in Bellevue, Washington, made the most of a beautiful sunny evening by hosting a celebration of Indian culture on their rooftop. They invited residents to sample traditional Indian dishes and desserts, including food from local vendors and homemade options prepared by residents, along with iced chai and sugar cane juice. A curated playlist and vibrantly colored photo backdrop set the tone for a fun and festive evening.

Their event was a perfect blend of simplicity and attention to detail, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that could easily be replicated at any type of community!

Atlas philipino food friday-1

Filipino Food Friday

Coordinators at Atlas Apartments in Issaquah, Washington, leveraged their event to partner with a local vendor and provided more than 80 takeaway boxes of freshly made Filippino food for residents. This event was well received by their neighbors, who were excited to try the food and eager to support a local restaurant.

International Holiday Celebration

At Homes of Prairie Springs in Richardson, Texas, coordinators decided not to stop at celebrating just one culture. During the Christmas season, they hosted an international holiday celebration with a smorgasbord of appetizers and desserts from across the globe. Their menu included Polish Perogies, Mexican Tamales, Chinese Dumplings, Korean Bao, Persian Rice, Jewish Latkes, Columbian Arepas, Mediterranean Kabobs, and Middle Eastern Shawarma, in addition to traditional European Desserts such as fruitcakes, stolen, and of course, a variety of cookies. Talk about eating your way around the world!

Hispanic Heritage Month

At Aria at Millenia in Orlando, Florida, coordinators decided to tap into their own cultural roots and bring a vibrant celebration to their community in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Their Sips and Chips event included various types of chips and salsas, Jarrito's bottled sodas, and a live DJ to set the tone with festive music. Coordinators and residents even came decked out in traditional garments representing their specific countries of origin. What a cool and intentional way to engage the entire community in this special celebration!

Tips and Idea Starters

If you're feeling inspired, but wondering where to start when planning your own cultural celebration, here are a few tips:

1. Consider the various cultures and ethnicities represented in your community.

2. Take a look at local restaurants and vendors in your immediate vicinity. Who can you partner with, and what local businesses would you like to introduce your neighbors to?

3. Research various holidays and celebrations around the world (i.e., Chinese Lunar New Year, Oktoberfest, etc...).

4. Make it personal by sharing something from your own unique cultural background.

5. If it's not your culture, invite members of that culture to help you plan and host the event. Not only will it make your event better, but it will also help you avoid any accidental offenses or stereotypes you might cause by not understanding the culture you're celebrating.

6. Remember to share your events and photos with us so that we can pass on the inspiration! And follow us on social media @aptlife for more ideas!

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Inspiration for Multicultural Celebrations

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