Though the country is in the middle of an economic crisis, many people around SIUC are still able to find joy in the holidays.
Whether it is spending time with family, buying gifts for others or bringing back old traditions, the higher-ups at SIUC said they have plenty to look forward to for the holidays.
Tradition
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Larry Dietz said the holidays bring up great memories of his childhood growing up on a farm.
"The holidays always had to fit in around chores, but we always had a Christmas Eve church service and my mother would make a big dinner for us after chores before we went to church," Dietz said. "We would come home and Santa had somehow already delivered presents under the tree."
Dietz said the pattern of his mother always having to go back inside to get something before they left for church tipped him off to how Santa was getting the presents in place so quickly.
"My mother had always said she had forgotten something in the house so obviously she had gone back in and helped Santa," he said.
While the gifts were opened Christmas Eve, Dietz said Christmas Day was always a time for his family to come together and celebrate.
"We would always have a big family gathering and a dinner, and sometimes we would even go hunting, though I don't do that anymore," Dietz said. "All great memories and mainly with family."
Festivities
While most people will be celebrating the New Year on Dec. 31, some will wait for the weather to get a little warmer.
Naseem Ahmed, education coordinator for International Programs and Services, said her New Year does not happen until mid-April. She said the Bengali New Year, celebrated throughout Bangladesh and other areas in India and the Middle East, is a celebration of new beginnings.
"It really marks the beginning of summer and a new year and saying goodbye to everything that is old," Ahmed said. "It's a national holiday and it is a huge festival with lots of musical performances and cultural events happening throughout all the cities."
Though she has not celebrated the Bengali New Year in her home country for many years, Ahmed said some of the celebration could be brought to Carbondale. While there is not the same number of children dancing throughout the towns and people wearing new clothes, there is still plenty to celebrate.
"In my mind, that is still the true New Year in my life," Ahmed said. "We have the Bengali community in Carbondale and we have parties and cook traditional sweets and sing the night away."
Family,/b>
Athletic Director Mario Moccia always enjoyed the holidays because his family of Salukis would have plenty of games to play and victories to celebrate.
Last Christmas was different though, as he was able to watch his baby daughter experience her first Christmas. He said he is even more excited to spend another Christmas with his daughter.
"Since this will be my daughter's second Christmas, I am really looking forward to watching her enjoy the tree and everything else that goes along with that." Moccia said. "Before it was just worrying about the next game, but now the holidays take on a little extra meaning with the little one running around the house."
Moccia said he still enjoys all the athletic events that happen throughout the holiday season and other traditional customs of the holidays.
"Other than all the athletic events, I would say it has been all the food that is always enjoyable."
Giving
Undergraduate Student Government President Chiquita Watts knows she has to give a lot in order for her constituents to receive a lot.
But when it comes to the holidays, Watts said she enjoys giving with no interest of getting something in return.
"I love to shop and buy gifts for other people," Watts said. "Even with the economy being down, I still love to go out there and get things for people. In my family, the kids all make Christmas lists and then our parents get the presents and give those away to someone else in the neighborhood."
Watts said she does receive some presents but enjoys her family's emphasis on giving.
"Knowing the gifts I wanted get to go to someone else - I like that. I enjoy doing that every year."
Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 268 or jengel@siu.edu
