Throwing a Christmas party on a college budget

Home Study Break Throwing a Christmas party on a college budget
Throwing a Christmas party on a college budget

 

Grab some friends, deck the halls, and rock around the Christmas tree. (Wikipedia)

Finals are here, but so is Christmas. Take a break from the books, gather your friends, and put on the Bing Crosby. It’s time to throw a Christmas Party.

  1. Music, Music, MUSIC. If you don’t know someone who has Spotify account, then you probably don’t know enough people to throw a Christmas party. Find a Bluetooth speaker, blast the heck out of the place, and make sure that everyone around you knows that they’re all you want for Christmas.
  2. Decorations. Make people your decorations. Grab some tinsel from Kroger, and then tell everyone who is coming to sport the Santa, the Rudolf, the ugly Christmas sweaters, the elf shoes….You’ll have the widest range of decor, and it won’t be stationary either.
  3. Food. Feed your guests, but invite them to feed themselves too. Potluck it up.  The best meals are ones where you simultaneously have macaroni and cheese and an enchilada slice on your plate.  Hot Cocoa is a must, and you probably shouldn’t forget the hot apple cider.
  4. People. The best parties are the ones where you meet someone you’ve never met before (shocker: this is possible at Hillsdale). Invite people that you wouldn’t usually talk to. Drop a candy cane off at the desk that is right next to yours in the library and tell them they can find more at your party.
  5. Dance. Grab a partner and swing dance to Michael Buble’s “Jingle Bells.” Sing the words to Amy Grant’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at the top of your lungs and don’t be afraid to show your friends how bad you are at dancing. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is “singing loud for all to hear.”
  6. Gifts. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as many say. Have a white elephant gift exchange but have the shopping spree in your room. From the ball of rubber bands that you never use to the guitar pick that isn’t your favorite color, bring it on.
  7. Location. You can have this party anywhere. It’s the people remember? Not the place. Dance in the parking lot behind Mauck. Sing carols on the wooden porch of an off campus house. Laugh around a fire in the union.

And friends, don’t forget to be with the people you’re with. Look at the faces that you’re talking to and be thankful for that fact that at least this year, you got to celebrate a little bit of Christmas with them.