With Fall Term coming to a close, Lawrence students are turning their attention to winter break and all of the joys that go along with it. Although Halloween is still in the rearview, Lawrentians are inevitably starting to think about the fast-approaching holiday season.
No matter which holiday tradition you subscribe to, it can be a stressful time, and it is never too early to start thinking about how you are going to prepare for all of the upcoming merriment.
When asked about what they are doing to get ready for the season, some students were quick to respond. “Oh yeah, Chanukah, I’m half Jewish,” began sophomore Molly Froman. She continued, “Right now, I’m collecting sweaters for the winter weather, you know. I’m also working so that I can pay for gifts for my family, because material items really define how much I love them.”
Senior Shannon Grant joined the conversation, also stating that she is working, “not so much so I can buy presents, but so I can brainstorm some, you know, cheap but meaningful gift items. Actually, my family moved this summer, so it’s our first Christmas not in the apartment where my mother grew up, so we don’t know what it’s going to be like.”
Other students echoed a similar concern over the material and monetary aspects of the season. “I don’t know, I’m going to get a job at The Lawrentian to make money for presents,” freshman Lilly Donlon said.
Freshman Maddie Whitehead was more concerned with the potential gift getting, rather than giving. “I’m clearing out my room to make room for all the presents,” she said. However, she continued, stating that she is also concerned about the stress levels and mental needs of those around her during the holidays. “I’ve also got to prepare to take care of my mom because the holidays make her anxious. I have to make sure she’s not overworking herself, taking some time off, make sure she’s eating, sometimes she forgets to eat. But she’s fine, no, she’s good.”
Yet, some students were a little farther behind in their preparations. Senior Cora Williams, for example, was still thinking about the autumnal season. “I’m limiting my intake of pumpkin spice lattes, not because I’m concerned about my weight, but because I don’t want to be a basic white girl. I don’t want to fulfill those stereotypes,” she said. She continued, “But specifically for Christmas, I don’t know. I’m doing that thing where I plan to get my Christmas shopping done really early, but of course it’s not going to happen. But how am I preparing? I don’t know.”
Regardless of how in-depth their thinking was about the December of 2015 holiday season or which aspect they were thinking about, one thing became clear as students were interviewed—no one really cares about Thanksgiving.