It’s that time of year — “Last Christmas” by Wham! can be heard reverberating in the dining halls, string lights dazzle along Willow Path and campus glistens like a freshly shaken snow globe.
As we near winter break, Colgate University has held events to help get students in the holiday spirit. On Dec. 4, the COVE hosted a gingerbread house-making event. Rows upon rows of gingerbread kits lined the Coop media room and Christmas music helped to create a cheerful atmosphere.
Junior Vee Atkinson, the event organizer, noted the holidays help to draw in students for COVE events, especially as this event has become an annual occurrence.
“I do think that the COVE does have a lot of pull in terms of holiday events. This one in particular, I do feel that students really enjoy, and I think every year it gets bigger and bigger, and so I really appreciate everyone coming out and enjoying making gingerbread houses,” Atkinson said.
The event was in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a charity organization working to provide affordable housing for all. The event’s goal was to help to raise awareness of the organization. The COVE also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity within the town of Hamilton.
“We do work around the Hamilton area in terms of reconstruction and so, a recent project has actually been with the Bell Tree [daycare]” Atkinson said. “It’s a really awesome organization and they have this amazing space in a chapel for children and what we’ve been doing there is repainting the bathrooms in the hallway and one of the Habitat for Humanity leaders is also planning on painting a mural in the church.”
Students, such as first-years Zoe Reeder and Iris Li had fun building their creations and enjoyed the event’s laid-back nature, especially with finals season fast approaching.
“I wanted to come to this event because I love building gingerbread houses and it really gets me in the holiday spirit. It’s also just a good break from studying,” Reeder said.
Even for those who do not celebrate Christmas, the event still provided an enjoyable space to unwind.
“I actually don’t really celebrate [Christmas] but it’s always fun to get involved,” Li said.
The event may see some new changes next year, as Atkinson hopes to expand the presence of Habitat for Humanity, all while retaining the aspects students have come to love.
“[I’ve] definitely seen a rise in popularity. I think the draw is definitely gingerbread houses. My goal next year though is to bring more of an informational aspect to it, maybe handing out pamphlets when people are making gingerbread houses … just people becoming more knowledgeable about what we’re actually doing as an organization,” Atkinson said.
In other holiday days, on Dec. 5, the town of Hamilton held their annual Hamilton Night of Lights, transforming the village into a festive, picturesque sight bustling with energy, with the newly lit tree serving as a focal point.
Fire pits dotted the village green for visitors to warm up and roast marshmallows, all while a capella groups performed holiday music in the background. Nearby, Santa was given VIP treatment as he arrived by fire truck to greet children and hand out toys.
The tree lighting served as a reminder of home for some and Hamilton’s original touches provided something unique for students to enjoy. First year Sophia Dranchak commented on the uniqueness of Hamilton’s tree lighting.
“[Back home] we have a town square with a gazebo and all the lights, and there are usually concerts in the summertime, but usually not in the winter, so this is really nice to have the a cappella groups and everyone singing and caroling,” Dranchak said.
Some of Dranchak’s favorite parts of the evening included hearing the carols of the Colgate 13, watching the horse drawn carriage rides and seeing the palpable joy as kids received presents from Santa.
Along with its homey and festive feel, the tree lighting allowed students to be a part of the town of Hamilton in a way they may not normally experience.
“One of the best events I’ve ever been to is the tree lighting, because it feels like you are actually a part of the Hamilton community, which I feel like Colgate students don’t always get. So I love the Hamilton tree lighting,” Atkinson said.
While being away from home can be difficult, especially during the holiday season, holiday events help to spread cheer around campus and create a familiar sense of festivity, even if in a new location.
“Being away from home is definitely different, but I think that it feels pretty homey here with all the snow and everything,” Dranchak said. “I think it definitely makes it feel like Christmas.”
