By Nicole Scopelliti
Creating and participating in holiday traditions is a great way to grow closer to friends and family while having a little fun. These life-long holiday traditions can be created, celebrated and sustained without breaking the bank. Try one of these ideas listed below, or create your own variation of these beloved holiday activities. Not to mention, these traditions are easily adaptable for your college lifestyle. When it’s chilly and gloomy in December, consider staying in, making hot drinks and creating holiday memories with your friends.
The Christmas Pickle
Don’t fret, no real dill pickles are required for this holiday tradition. Instead, a pickle-shaped glass ornament is used and placed in a Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, one member of the household hides the pickle ornament in the Christmas tree. Traditionally, the first person to discover the pickle ornament on Christmas morning is allowed to open their gifts first. However, college students might consider other variations of this game: for example, cooking the winner breakfast before class. Although this tradition is often cited as having German roots, it is now celebrated by people of a variety of cultures and backgrounds, and it has become quite popular in the United States. Give this tradition a try during your next White Elephant for a fun and rewarding twist to the traditional gift-giving game.
Elf on the Shelf
You might have participated in this tradition as a child with your family. If you did, you might recall your parents sneakily placing a small elf around your home. They also might have warned you that if you didn’t behave during the holiday season, the elf would tell Santa Claus, and you would be left with a Christmas tree devoid of presents. This tradition takes a turn for the better during college, when Elf on the Shelf becomes a hilarious game of trickery between you and your housemates. Once your roommates agree to participate, you can begin by purchasing an Elf on the Shelf online. Once you receive your elf, you can begin hiding it around your living space and creating hilarious, elfish displays. Don’t be surprised if this becomes a treasured tradition among your friends!
The Ugly Christmas Sweater
These sweaters are not always fun to wear, considering that they’re scratchy and probably smell like mothballs from your Grandma’s coat closet. Even though ugly Christmas sweaters might not be the most comfortable thing to wear, they are fun to show off to your friends and take pictures in. Consider taking pictures in your ugly christmas sweater with friends, and turning it into a Christmas card. Host a “DIY Ugly Sweater” holiday party and have your guests bring old sweaters to adorn with any kind of holiday decor that is readily available. At the end of the night, award the person who made the ugliest sweater!
Bûche de Noël
Ditch the cookies this holiday season and make a Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, instead. Buche de Noel is a variation of a French roulade dessert, which is eaten as a holiday treat. It is typically constructed out of sponge cake and a filling of choice, however it is most often a cream filling. Watch out though, Buche de Noel is notoriously difficult to make, which makes embarking on this holiday roulade journey just as rewarding. Consider having a Buche de Noel competition with your friends or roommates and see whose cakes end up looking like a Yule Log, and which cakes fall flat. Either way, you’re bound to end up with something delicious.