We asked students about their Christmastime traditions
‘I can’t resist Christmas lights’
For many, the holiday season begins on Thanksgiving Day. To get everyone in the holiday spirit, we asked students what their holiday traditions are, and how early they start.
Bryce, sophomore, Political Science
“Since Christmas is the best time of the year, and Chapel Hill is the best place on Earth, we try to maximize our happiness by starting the Christmas season at the conclusion of fall break.”
Ignace, sophomore, Biomedical Engineering
“We have a ham competition. The first person to consume a piece of ham (has to at least be semi-cooked) by evading my mom, who doesn’t allow us to eat the ham till Christmas dinner time, wins. This happens before dinner, and sneaking a piece out of the hot oven counts as long as you survive all of the heat.”
Hart, sophomore, Environmental Science
“We start to decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve, I always wear a new pair of pajamas to bed. I also love to ride around and look at Christmas lights.”
Elise, sophomore, Photojournalism
“I started listening to Christmas music this past weekend when my family decorated for Christmas, and it put my roommates and I in the spirit to take a late-night Target run to buy decorations for our apartment. So not crazy early. It’s mostly because I can’t resist Christmas lights.”
Gisselle, sophomore, Pre-Nursing
“On December 24th at midnight, we put the baby Jesus pieces in all the nativity scenes around the house. Then we sing Christmas carols.”
Jennifer, sophomore, Communications and History
“On December 24th, I always go to my grandparents’ house to exchange gifts and share a lovely home-cooked meal with my dad’s side of the family. Then, on the 25th, I go to my uncle’s house to do the same thing with my mom’s side. It’s my favorite time of the year because I get to spend time with all of my family.”
Rachael, sophomore, Broadcast Journalism
“Every Christmas Eve, my family orders pizza and we watch Charlie Brown Christmas. Then we open the presents from each other and set out cookies for Santa so that when he comes he can have a good snack.”
Olivia, sophomore, Journalism
“Since I was a little girl, my brother and I have counted down the days until Christmas by putting tiny ornaments on an Advent tree. My favorite part has always been the last day when we put the baby Jesus ornament on the tree.”
Leslie, sophomore, Business
“My family watches It’s a Wonderful Life every year.”
Meg, sophomore, Linguistics
“My family always decorates the tree together while listening to Christmas music on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We’ve done this ever since I can remember. Me and my mom bake cookies and we have the best time decorating and just being together as a family.”
Sierra, sophomore, Public Relations and Political Science, and Katelin, junior, Political Science
Sierra: “I don’t decorate because I’m in a dorm, and I especially haven’t decorated this year because I’ve been drowning in schoolwork.”
Katelin: “I have a tiny tree with cute little ornaments. It was fun to do.”