As the semester slows down and the air gets cooler, students at the University of Rhode Island shared some of their favorite memories and traditions, looking back to what makes the holidays special for them.
Fourth-year student Joseph Weiser’s favorite memory was from when he was a kid celebrating Hanukkah.
“I got a Wii, and I was thrilled,” Weiser said.
First-year student Rylie Nallen says that for her, the holidays are all about family.
“One of my favorite memories is spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my aunt’s and uncle’s house and being able to have my whole family there,” Nallen said. “Just being together with everyone I love makes it feel really special.”
“My family doesn’t have many traditions,” fourth-year student Snaha Pokharel said. “We do make Nepalese dumplings every year, which is kind of our own way to celebrate I guess. It’s the most popular dish from my country.”
Fourth-year student Emily Eckerson also said family was the center of her holiday traditions, but with more elaborate traditions. Her family celebrates Christmas together, despite her parents being separated for almost a decade.
“The most important part is doing it as one big family,” Eckerson said. “On Christmas Eve, after dinner at our golf club, we sit by the tree with the fire lit and open one gift – which is always our matching pajamas for the year – and then read ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ My siblings and I would pile together in one room for a sleepover, and we tried to keep the magic alive, like listening to Santa’s bells or tracking him with an app.”
Eckerson also explained how her traditions have evolved over time. Now adults, her and her siblings enjoy surprising their parents with stocking stuffers, keeping the spirit of the holiday alive. Their holiday also includes volunteering at a soup kitchen in the Bronx, an annual tradition that has helped them stay connected to their community and reflect on their gratitude, according to Eckerson.
“Seeing the guests interact and appreciating everything we have has always been a big part of the Christmas spirit for me,” Eckerson said.
