'Tis the season to be jolly; 'tis the season of mistletoe and wreaths, snowball fights and sledding, delicious food and relaxation; but most importantly, 'tis the season for family.
Some students spend a quiet holiday with immediate family, simply taking advantage of the time away from school and work to relax. Others spend their holidays in a house overflowing with extended family and friends, enjoying the chance to catch up with loved ones after months apart.
Particularly for college students, who spend most of the year away from family, getting together with parents, siblings and other relatives is often the best part of the holiday season.
"Getting to see all the extended family," is third-year College student Jackie Beilhart's favorite aspect of the holidays.
"All my extended family lives in Richmond, so we generally have about 28 of us," Beilhart said. "We usually eat a lot of food, play games -- just hang out. We're all really close, so it's really cool to reconnect with them after being in college."
Fourth-year College student Kassidy Annybynoe also said her favorite aspect of the holiday season is meeting up with family.
"I have a huge family," Annybynoe said. "Both sides of my family are like one huge family -- the cousins on my mom's and dad's sides call both sets of grandparents 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa.' It's really cool. My mom cooks for everyone. We have like 50 people at our house for two weeks, and it's been like that since I was a baby."
Like Annybynoe, many students look forward to going back home to take part in the same family activities they enjoyed as little kids.
"I like just being able to go home," fourth-year College student Anna DiGrazia said. "I like shopping with my family and friends. The atmosphere is so cheery with all the decorations and music."
Second-year College student Laura Deakins also enjoys Christmas traditions with her family.
"I like the time away from school to spend time with family," Deakins said. "We go look at the lights, get the tree, stuff like that."
Of course, for many, even more satisfying than shopping or decoration or tree-hunting is all the delicious food that comes along with the holidays. After weeks of dining hall food and snacks from the nearest convenience store, home-cooked meals can be the greatest gifts of all.
Second-year College student Paula Nguyen said family dinner is what she most enjoys about the holidays.
"I don't eat with my own family, because we don't do that," Nguyen said. "I always go to my best friend's house. It's nice to feel like you're a part of a family."
Indeed, even for those who don't get very involved in holidays, spending time with loved ones is still something to look forward to.
"Seeing family is always nice," second-year College student Nicole Barron said. "Honestly, holidays aren't really that big for me, so that's the only thing [I look forward to]."
Other students also look forward to reuniting with family -- but for a specific reason.
"It's fun to watch my relatives do crazy stuff," first-year College student Clark Taylor said.
Now everyone knows what all this family love is really about.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 5 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
