Tis’ the season! December is rolling around, and with it comes the spirit of Christmas manifesting across campus. Departments start to fill with lights, trees, and many other festive adornments. This week we will explore Christmas traditions from fellow students across different cultures. Clayton Potts (senior, aviation), Yamil Kas-Danouche (senior, computer engineering), Izzy Koh (senior, English), and Kyra Wirsz (senior, behavioral science). Here are some of their thoughts about the holidays:
What are some Christmas traditions you do every year?
Clayton: Every year on Christmas Eve my family and I drive through the community and look at all the Christmas decorations. Following that, we usually attend a Christmas Eve service at our church or grandparents' church depending on where we are for the holidays. On Christmas day we have a big turkey dinner full of all our favorite foods, and then we open presents.
Yamil: I usually hang out with my family. We enjoy having no cares in the world, and I play a lot of video games with my brothers and cousins.
Kyra: I love decorating with my family, Christmas movie marathons, s'mores, and hot cocoa, with Michael Bublé playing at all times.
Are there any special foods you enjoy around the holidays?
Clayton: Honestly, I love food, so most of the food we have with our turkey dinner (stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc), I love to eat! On New Year's Eve, we have a special German feast. We usually have kielbasa, sauerkraut, and dumplings.
Yamil: Yes. Hallacas and potato salad.
Are any of these foods or traditions based on your culture?
Clayton: My grandparents have a lot of German heritage. I am not sure when or where these traditions started, but it has been happening for as long as I can remember.
Yamil: The Hallacas, yes, they are originally from Venezuela. Stories say that someone didn't know what to cook for Christmas so he just mixed everything he had in the refrigerator and wrapped it in Plantain leaves.
What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?
Clayton: “Adeste Fideles,” “Caroling Caroling,” “There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” and “The Christmas Waltz,” just to name a few.
Yamil: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”
Kyra: Obviously the classic: “All I Want for Christmas is You.” But also, Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas album, and of course everything Michael Bublé.
What do you look forward to doing the most over this Christmas Break?
Clayton: Relaxing with family and friends that I haven't seen in a while.
Kyra: Resting, spending time with my family, wrapping presents, and giving gifts to people!
What makes Christmas special to you?
Clayton: As I mentioned, being with family and friends is always something that is important to me. I also like giving gifts to people—it makes me feel happy seeing their reactions.
Yamil: The fact is that at Christmas, I find no enjoyment specifically in gifts or food, but rather being with family sharing the Christmas songs, eating food related to Christmas makes those simple things special, so I would say, family.
Kyra: There's just an energy in the air that is so special. I love seeing everyone decorate their houses and stores. And obviously spending quality time with my family and enjoying the season.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.