The holiday season is a time for tradition, family and fun. For most students that means turkey on Thanksgiving, lighting candles for Hanukkah or decorating the tree for Christmas.
But some students have unique traditions. Senior public and community health major Kristina Laguerre give the phrase “holiday spirit” a new meaning.
“I just love Christmas,” Laguerre said as she rattled off a list of holiday traditions that would make Santa Claus envious.
“I wear red, green or both at least every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I drink as much hot chocolate as humanly possible and I watch all the classic Christmas movies,” Laguerre said. “It’s literally the most wonderful time of the year.”
At home, Laguerre’s house is filled with the Christmas spirit, she explained. They hang old Christmas cards on the walls all around the kitchen, the radio constantly plays holiday music and it always smells like pine cones.
For Laguerre there is no such thing as “too much Christmas,” as long as it falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
In the past, she has even forced Starbucks stores to retrieve their regular cups from storage in order to avoid having to use the holiday cups they begin to give out well before Thanksgiving.
“I was really disappointed in Macy’s this year. They of all people should know that Christmas starts after Santa Claus comes at the end of their parade. When I saw Christmas displays and music playing before that, I was really upset.”
Junior civil engineering major Corinne Resch said her family does Christmas a little bit differently than the average family. The begining is normal enough: The family of four unwraps presents, listens to holiday music and eats breakfast together. Throughout the day the extended family arrives at their New Jersey home for dinner. After that, the festivities get interesting.
Around 20 people from four generations gather in the basement for the annual beer pong tournament, a tradition entering its fourth year.
The entire family joins in — even 8-month-old Morgan has already taken her first beer pong shot.
“I taught my grandma the rules. She thinks it’s fun,” Resch said. “My mom would prefer a more traditional, subdued celebration, but the rest of the family likes the lively game.”
Edward Lopez, a 2001 alum and Resch’s cousin, thinks the tournament is a good bonding experience for the family.
“Whether you’re in school or work full time, everyone needs a break and some time to just relax and have fun with your family. In my family, we have four generations bond over beer pong,” Lopez said.
Resch said that although some people may think it’s weird, it’s her favorite family tradition.
“We listen to Christmas music while we play,” she said. “Try to keep the regular traditions alive, too. … It brings the family together.”
ga@umdbk.com
