When thinking about holiday traditions with friends, the “Jingle Bell Rock” dance from “Mean Girls” always comes to mind first. Regina, Cady, Gretchen and Karen aren’t the only ones with holiday traditions though —every year girls around the world participate in activities with their friends to celebrate the holiday season. The great part about traditions is that no matter how silly or serious the tradition is, it is a special time to spend with friends. Read on to find out how University of Florida girls share their favorite holiday traditions with friends.
Gift Giving
Shopping is one of the busiest and most expensive parts of the holiday season, and when we are living on a college budget it can be difficult to buy gifts for all your loved ones. White Elephant, Secret Santa and other gift giving traditions are one of the most popular holiday traditions among friends. Some groups give gag gifts while others draw names and give more personalized items. Cara Chiaramonte, a freshman studying journalism, is participating in Secret Santa with girls from her dorm. They have a $15 price limit and will exchange gifts before the break. There is nothing like getting a cute gift before heading home for break!
Theme Parties
Dressing up for holiday-themed parties is always so much fun! The parties range in dress-up themes from Winter Wonderland, where the guests wear all white, to Holiday Inspirations, where people dress up as characters or objects that remind them of the holidays. Popular choices include a Christmas tree, a dreidel or a snowflake. Molly Moore, a senior, goes to a Tacky Sweater party her friends throw every year. Guests flaunt ugly holiday sweaters and at the end of the night vote for the tackiest sweater. Theme parties like these bring a fun twist to the holidays.
Outdoor Activities
Even though it’s chilly out, going outdoors in the winter can be a lot of fun! Whether you’re building a snowman, skiing or ice-skating it’s the perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter wonderland around you! If you’re looking to stay warm, have all your friends hop in the car and drive around your city looking at holiday lights. For those of you in cities without snow, try a bonfire at the beach instead for a fun, winter twist! Angelina Malamo, a junior, goes caroling every year with friends. She said they sing to neighbors and even some random houses — what a cheerful holiday surprise that would be!
Indoor Activities
Too cold to go outside? Host a holiday movie marathon or have a cookie decorating party! There is also nothing more fun than sitting by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and catching up with friends. Jenna Nales, a junior, attends a gingerbread house making party every December with friends from high school. After decorating the gingerbread houses, they always watch a holiday movie. She said she loves the party because it is a great time to catch up with friends at different colleges.
Giving Back
Lending a helping hand during the winter seasons is always a special gift to give. Ways to give back include making holiday cards for soldiers, baking cookies for nursing and retirement homes, food drives for needy families or have a winter clothes drive. Phyllis Allen, a graduate student studying student personnel in higher education, holds a toy drive with her friends. The toys donated help make children’s holidays one to remember! Any contribution helps and can be a fun new tradition with friends during the holidays.
Entertainment
December is full of holiday shows and entertainment. There are several large-scale shows and entertainment like the Gaylord Palms ice show in Orlando and the Disney World Christmas Parade. Local theatres and dance companies also put on shows like “A Christmas Story” and the “Nutcracker.” Amanda Lyon, a senior studying public relations, has gone to her best friends’ holiday dance show since high school. Now that they are in college, all the friends still get together for the show to support the studio and to see old friends.