Traditions are unique ways for families to gather, spend quality time together and get excited for the holiday season. Every family has their own holiday traditions whether big or small.
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These traditions range anywhere from stuffing faces with food, taking a family vacation or opening presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas day and they are carried down from generation to generation.

Well, the holiday season is quickly approaching and it’s that time of year when students begin to get excited about going home for the holidays. There’s the hustle and bustle sound in the air of everyone talking about what they will do when they go home for the month.

Auburn senior from Virginia, Kate Matthews, has her own favorite memories that are replayed every year during Christmas time.

“My family and I always go out in the mountains and cut down our own Christmas tree,” said Kate. “It’s always fun trying to find the best one.”

However, since Kate has been in college, school and finals interrupt participating in the tree-hunt.

“Since I’ve been in college I miss all of the fun,” said Kate. “The only good thing is I don’t have to carry the tree back to the car.”

With family time comes family arguments and the Matthews family is no different from any other.

“I’m the one that gets to decorate the tree every year,” said Kate. “My sister tries to argue with me and correct my decorations, but it’s my job because I don’t to cut down the tree.”

Unlike the Matthews family, Auburn senior from Denver, Colo., Leah Rainold and her family take a short vacation to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. 

Being from Colorado, skiing is one of her family’s favorite past-times and therefore hit the slopes every year the day after Christmas.

“We usually go to Vail Mountain to ski,” said Leah. “We have a mountain house up there so the entire family comes and it is always so much fun.”

Aside from skiing, Leah says her favorite part of the holidays is just being with family.

“I love doing all the fun stuff, but after being away at college I appreciate just sitting and hanging out with my family more than I used to,” said Leah.

Usually family traditions carry down from generation to generation and Kate and Leah believe they will carry on their traditions as well.

“I will definitely do this when I have a family,” said Kate. “If we don’t live near mountains, we’ll just have to go to a Christmas tree farm.”

Leah laughed, “I would love to carry on our tradition… if I can afford it.”