It is no secret once Thanksgiving passes and the holiday cheer begins to spread, so too does the slow descent into preparations for final exams and presentations. Despite the stress of finals week, students have a long, restful holiday break to look forward to, and the holidays are a time to be around those they love and care for.
So, what are staff and students planning on after finals week?
Eva Dimikj, a freshman at OU, is looking forward to catching up on some much-needed family time and basking in the joy of being home and relaxed. The conclusion of her first semester of college brings about a bit more stress for the future but also a feeling of accomplishment and excitement for what is to come.
“I’m excited for exams to be done and to finally enjoy my free time, read a book, watch shows, spend time with family and not be staring at my computer screen every day for a few weeks,” Dimikj said.
Dimikj also loves tradition, it’s one of her favorite parts of the holiday season. Traditions are important to every family, and this family does not take for granted the tradition of simply being together under one roof.
Another OU student, Mena Hannakachl, has her own meaning of relaxation. Staying busy with side projects and working a seasonal job are ways, in the past, she has been able to work through and enjoy her break.
Travel seems to be at the top of Hannakachl’s list this break, as school has taken up so much of her time. She looks forward to decompressing after a busy semester with a holiday trip.
Hannakachl grew up in the United Arab Emirates and spent the holidays with close family in a few intimate gatherings, such as attending church and exchanging gifts. Since moving to the States, she says there is a more chaotic nature surrounding the holidays.
“My favorite thing about the holidays has always been the spirit,” Hannakachl said.
It is not uncommon for families to live near and far from each other, but it does make the holidays a bit more challenging. Professor Kathleen Pfeiffer also celebrates her holiday with a small group of family members.
As with most families, this family has its own Christmas Eve tradition.
“Our family Christmas Eve tradition is to make lots of snacky foods — think bacon-wrapped steak bites and pigs in a blanket — and have a television marathon of Christmas episodes from all the old shows — ‘Andy Griffith,’ ‘Brady Bunch,’ ‘Bewitched‘ — which is my personal favorite — ‘Mary Tyler Moore,’ etc,” Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer is also looking forward to having time to read more books that aren’t embedded into her curriculum.
Mari Ronund, an OU student majoring in accounting and finance, plays a game known as “Whamageddon” with her friends through the holiday season. As a mix of Armageddon and the popular band “WHAM!,” the objective is to go as long as possible from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24 without listening to the popular Christmas song, “Last Christmas.”
“So, the rules are you cannot get someone out by playing it, it has to come up organically, like if you’re scrolling on TikTok and you see it on the radio or something like that,” Ronund said. “If you don’t realize you’re listening to it, then you’re fine, but as soon as you realize you’re listening to the song, you’re out, and you’re done.”
Ronund usually plays “Whamageddon” each year with their roommate.
“My roommate and I play every year,” Ronund said. “A fun little perk of this is because we’re college students. It forces us to keep in contact over break.”
Brian Beckett, a worker for OUEats, has a Polish tradition of making kielbasa soup with his family on Christmas.
“We cook a lot of kielbasa on Christmas,” Beckett said. “What we make is something that comes out of the fat drippings from when we cook the kielbasa and the giant pot we use. Those fat drippings we pour into another pot and throw homemade noodles that we generally crank ourselves, and more clumps of kielbasa, and it ends up being something we call kielbasa soup.”
While many holidays are featured during December, Ash Plenda, a criminal justice major, celebrates the Seinfeld-inspired holiday, Festivus, with his friends every year.
Originally made by Dan O’Keefe, a writer for the TV series “Seinfeld,” Festivus is a winter holiday not burdened by the religious and commercialism found in the holiday season.
“The traditions of Festivus are instead of a Christmas tree erect an aluminum pole,” Plenda said. “The foods that you eat at Festivus are much different compared to the foods that you eat at Christmas since they are mostly bread-based. If you’re gluten intolerant, and you’re trying to celebrate Festivus, good luck.”
As the holiday stays faithful to the version seen on “Seinfeld,” the main events featured in the TV show remain intact in Plenda’s Festivus dinner.
“One of these events is called the ‘Airing of Grievances,’” Plenda said. “Each person will tell the other people in the room how they have let them down that year. All of your complaints, you’re allowed to just air out, and everybody gets to do it.”
Whether catching up on sleep or seeing family and friends, all OU community members will enjoy some much-needed relaxation time over the holiday break.
