Holiday Guide 2016

HOLIDAY

GUIDE Double the holiday fun

What it’s like to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah PAGE 3

Secret Santa gifts for every price range These gifts are sure to delight everyone on the list

PAGE 5

Resolutions you can actually keep

Start 2017 on the right foot with these New Year’s resolutions PAGE 10

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Double the fun: Celebrating two holidays Christmas, Hanukkah bring families together regardless of religious tradition KELSIE TRAVERS Staff writer

F

or as long as I can remember, I’ve celebrated the two most important holidays for my family in December: Christmas and Hanukkah. My mother is Jewish and my father doesn’t have a religion but grew up celebrating Christmas, so my family celebrates both holidays. For us, the holidays are less about religion and more about bringing the family together for an almost nonstop month of celebrations.

When it comes to celebrating two major holidays with two separate families, it can be a bit difficult depending on the year, but there are some positives.

The dates of Hanukkah change year to year, whereas Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always on the same days. Hanukkah lasts for eight days and begins on the 25th of Kislev each year, which is based on the Hebrew calendar. This usually means the festival of lights can start any time from the end of November to the end of December.

However, this year is the year that my mom dreads most: when Hanukkah overlaps with Christmas.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Dec. 24 and lasts until sundown on Jan. 1, meaning it overlaps not only Christmas Eve and Christmas, but also New Years Eve. At the end of the day, Hanukkah is always great, and we love to celebrate as a family, but my mother prefers when those eight days get dedicated to her holiday rather than competing with anything else.

Over the course of both holidays, we generally end up spending the same amount of time on each one, so I don’t consider one more important than the other. While Christmas is an all-day event, racking up about 12 hours of togetherness for my family, Hanukkah is more of a nightly thing. Sometimes my sisters and I will have finals during Hanukkah or work to go to or other

events to attend, but no matter what, we always set apart family time each night to light the menorah, eat dinner and open presents together. This amounts to about an hour or two each night.

One of my favorite aspects of Hanukkah is that it brings about a consistency that Christmas doesn’t. For us, Christmas is a lot of catching up with relatives, pretending to like gifts and waiting around for everyone to get to my grandparents’ house so we can eat dinner.

For Hanukkah, it’s just my immediate family, and we know to come home every day at sundown to “do Hanukkah” by lighting the candles on the menorah and opening small gifts (usually something along the lines of candy or socks).

We do the same thing every night for over a week — and that kind of consistency doesn’t come along at any other point during the year.

We even put the Hanukkah gifts under our Christmas tree, which my dad always jokingly refers to as the “Hanukkah Bush” because there are more Hanukkah ornaments than angels on it. Yes, our extended family still gives us angel ornaments — they forget that this makes absolutely zero sense for our situation.

The worst part about celebrating two holidays is the ignorance people have about it. I grew up in a very Catholic suburb, so Christmas meant one thing: church.

Many people I knew couldn’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that my family celebrated Christmas, which is actually a federal holiday, solely because it was a time of togetherness for our family. Even my mom, who didn’t grow up celebrating it, loves it now.

Even though my mom hates when Christmas overlaps with Hanukkah, I don’t mind because it gets to show my dad’s side of the family how we celebrate the holiday. It’s good to learn about other people’s traditions. Just because I celebrate multiple holidays doesn’t mean I am necessarily Jewish or Christian; nowadays, it might just be a cultural way of bringing the family together.

We even put the Hanukkah gifts under our Christmas tree, which my dad always jokingly refers to as the “Hanukkah Bush” because there are more Hanukkah ornaments than angels on it.

Kelsie is a senior in Media. ktraver2@dailyillini.com

Christmas in the U.S. goes beyond Christians Although people of the Christian faith account for the majority of the U.S. population, Christmas is becoming a more widespread holiday for cultural rather than religious reasons. As the number of interfaith marriages increases, multiple faiths are more likely to be represented in homes during the holidays.

81% of non-Christians in the U.S. celebrate Christmas including:

100 80 60 40 20 0

87% of people with no religion

51%

of Americans celebrate Christmas religiously

SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTER

76%

73%

of AsianAmerican Buddhists

of Hindus

32%

of Americans say it is a more cultural holiday

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Students have the option to take online classes over winter break to earn course credit outside of the fall and spring semesters.

Staying productive over winter break is beneficial RABIA ILYAS Staff Writer

W

hen the last finals and projects are over, it may be tempting for students to turn their brains off and spend the four weeks of winter break in a Netflix-induced stupor. However, there are many ways to enjoy break and the holiday season while still staying productive.

Many students opt to take a crash course during break that they otherwise do not have room for in their schedule. Not only are the class requirements manageable, but they are also online so you can still be at home. A huge benefit of this is that it can free up your schedule for a later semester and put you on track for graduating on time or early.

Volunteering over the holiday season is another great opportunity for students. The holiday season is a great time to help those less fortunate than you, and if you don’t have enough time during the school year to volunteer, this is the perfect time to lend a hand to your community. Soup kitchens are a popular place to volunteer, and there are a lot of charity events where you can donate your extra clothes and unneeded items.

A lot of students talk about interning at a company or place that is associated with a potential career. While this is great for your resume and may look wonderful for those seeking jobs, securing internships is difficult and rejection is possible. If you can’t fi nd an internship before break, a smart move to make is to job shadow a professional in your desired field.

In fact, this is something I hope to do because I’d like to see a different per-

spective of my potential career. I’ve heard from many students that shadowing can be very valuable and insightful.

Also, if you only wanted that internship for your resume, keep in mind that shadowing a professional in a field looks good, too.

Speaking about careers, you may want to brush up on those cover letters and resumes over break. Even if you don’t need to send your resume to someone in the near future, it’s always good to update it in case a professor asks for it. I know when I was looking for a research position this past semester, many professors would require a cover letter and a resume to be attached to the application.

I was one of those unprepared students who wrote my cover letter and brushed up on my freshman-year resume the night before the deadline. It’s defi nitely more stressful when you’re rushing to update your resume while trying to sound professional.

If none of these above options work for you, planning ahead is always a smart move. Buying books for your spring semester schedule so you have a head start when you get back to school will save you so much stress.

Many students don’t think of thoroughly analyzing their past semester. I don’t mean that you need to agonize over the question you missed on the fi nal, but recognizing your mistakes and accomplishments can lead to a more successful future semester.

Winter break is a great time to go home, sleep in and eat food that someone else has cooked for you, but remember that four weeks is a long time and there are many productive ways to spend that free time.

Rabia is a junior in LAS. rilyas2@dailyillini.com

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Simple Secret Santa gift ideas for your friends Spread the holiday cheer this winter by treating your Secret Santa to a wonderful gift that shows how much they mean to you ISABELLA JACKSON Special sections editor

S

ecret Santa gift exchanges are a lot of fun. They are a chance to show your friends how much they mean to you, and they are a fun distraction from fi nals.

However, Secret Santa gifts can present a unique challenge when you want to get your Secret Santa a great gift, but you need to adhere to a price limit.

Isabella is a junior in LAS. ijackso2@dailyillini.com

Gifts under $10

Gifts under $25

Gifts under $50

Mug and coffee

Winter gear

Noise cancelling headphones

Target, Walmart and other stores generally have large displays of fun mugs set out for the holidays. Some are pretty, others are funny and some are just huge — perfect for the caffeine addict in your life.

Pick out a mug and fi ll it with hot chocolate packets, a $5 Starbucks gift card or coffee beans.

Cookie in a Jar

Buy a quart-sized mason jar and fi ll it with the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe. Generally, this will include ingredients like flour, sugar, oatmeal, chocolate chips and baking soda — basically everything but the butter and eggs.

Print out the instructions for baking the cookies and attach it to the jar with a festive ribbon. This gift is especially great if you have multiple gifts to buy because many of the ingredients will only require a small amount, and the rest can be used in other jars.

Cold winter weather is just around the corner, and your Secret Santa will appreciate a set of gloves, a scarf and a hat to keep them warm this January. For the Illini fan, Gameday and the Illini Union Bookstore sell winter gear in orange and blue. Otherwise, almost any department store will have a large selection of winter clothes in various colors. Specifically this winter, plaid blanket scarves are very in style and can be found in many stores.

Movie night

Although for many people, streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are the main way to watch movies, there are still great fi lms that are only found on DVD. Check out the $5 movie bin at a Target or Walmart to pick out a few of your favorites. Add microwave popcorn and boxes of M&Ms or Junior Mints, and you’ve given the gift of a great night in.

While headphones can range anywhere from $10 to $400, there are pairs sold for under $50 that work very well. Because these headphones can help block the noise on airplanes, in the library or at the gym, they make a great gift for many people on your list. Specifically look for a pair with reviews that say they are comfortable and have good sound quality.

Dinner and a show

If you know your Secret Santas well, get them a gift card to their favorite restaurant and two tickets to a show at Krannert that they would enjoy. This is a great gift for the person who seems to have everything, and experiences are a great way to give a gift that will leave a lasting impression. Shows such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Iago’s Plot" are coming to Krannert this spring.

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New Year’s celebrations can all be memorable

Ringing in the new year with fun activities is possible, even without the crazy night on the town HARRISON LINDHOLM Staff Writer

N

ew Year's Eve is a very exciting holiday across the globe. People of many cultures celebrate the changing of the calendar. It’s a time to celebrate the past and look forward to what the future holds.

In the U.S., New Year's Eve has become a time to have one last party of the year, and many people celebrate at bars or big parties. If this New Year's Eve you've found yourself stuck in the under-21 crowd or you aren't looking for a crazy night out, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday.

Staying in during New Year’s Eve is always a fun thing to do. It has been a New Year’s tradition to watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York City on TV. There are live performances from the hottest artists of the year, and lively news anchors narrating you through the final moments of 2016.

One of my favorite activities any time of

the year is to sit and read a book. There is no better time of the year to do this than during the cold winter months. You can curl up by the fire with your favorite blanket and read the night away.

Another fun way to spend your New Year’s Eve at home is to have a big movie marathon.

Either grab your closest friends, your family or just stay in and enjoy watching them yourself.

I recommend watching Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining," or one of many other classic films. Definitely have a large bag of popcorn and loads of cola to keep you stocked during the long-lasting marathon.

If you aren’t a big reader or movie watcher there is still a lot to do. You can make a list of crazy things to do and try them out. One of the best ideas I have heard is grabbing a bunch of friends and having everyone hop on a freight train together.

Everyone leaves their phones at home to make it even harder and more fun for people to make it back home. Or you could do something slightly more safe like play a board game.

If you consider yourself a morning person rather than a night owl, you should probably not stay up late to watch the ball drop in New York.

Set your alarm for before dawn so you can watch the sunrise. It will be a special memory considering most people are still asleep after such a long night of celebration.

I think the best thing you can do on the New Year's Eve is combine all the previously stated ideas to create a New Year's Eve spectacular. Start out the day by reading your favorite book, and then invite all of your buddies over to watch one of your favorite movies. Then have a fun and festive dinner with those

Set your alarm for before dawn so you can watch the sunrise.

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friends and family. Try to talk about the past year, its ups and its downs, and talk about what you want the coming year to entail. After dinner you should have an activity for everyone to partake in.

I believe it would be worthwhile to do one of the many fun winter activities available to us. Ice skating is always fun, even when it's hard for some to stand in skates, let alone ice skate in them. Another fun activity is building a snowman or having a snowball fight.

Your group should then get to bed early so they all can be together in the morning to celebrate the first sunrise of the new year.

At this time of the year people are given the chance to reflect. To reflect on not just the happenings of the last year, but on a person’s entire life. Often we are overwhelmed by the time gone by, or we are overwhelmed by the sorrows we’ve experienced, but with a new year comes new hope. New hope of better times, or time more appreciated. This New Year's, stay optimistic of the time yet to come.

Harrison is a sophomore in DGS. hlindho2@dailyillini.com

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9

Vacation reads for both the beach and the couch JACQUELINE BETTHAUSER Staff writer

E

ven though I wish that I was going on a relaxing, vacation this winter break, the reality is that I will return home to endure the cold winter.

However, despite my lack of vacation, I am excited for the break because I can snuggle up under and blanket and still travel — through reading books.

Books can bring you to a variety of settings from the comfort of your own couch, bed or on-the-go. While it may be hard to find time to read for pleasure during the school year, winter break is a great time to catch up on the books you’ve been waiting to read. Though reading is not everyone’s favorite pastime, I believe that there is at least one book out there that each individual will enjoy immensely.

Title: “The Maze Runner” Author: James Dashner Genre: Science Fiction This novel is about a young man who wakes up in a lift and can’t remember his identity or where he came from. This lift has transported him to the Glade, an unfamiliar location within a complex, menacing maze with no known exit.

The book follows the young man, Thomas, as he struggles with his identity, friendships with the other boys — and girl — in the Glade, and being stuck within the maze. Read this book if you enjoy mystery, suspense, action and drama. This book is interesting as it evolves into a whole series that depicts a dystopian future plagued by a seemingly incurable disease. Furthermore, this novel has been made into a movie, as has the next in the series, so reading this book will also prompt an awesome movie night.

Title: “The Selection” Author: Kiera Cass Genre: Fantasy, Fiction Calling all “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” fans! If you enjoy these dating shows, then this book is absolutely perfect for you. This novel follows a young woman, America Singer, born into an impoverished dystopian society, as she is selected as one of 35 women to have an opportunity to date and potentially marry the prince of this society, Prince Maxon.

This book is a great choice for all lovers of romance. “The Selection” has a dreamy prince, a love triangle and a unique dystopian setting. Also, this book

is the first in a series of five, so the other novels can extend this romance after you give in to temptation and binge read this novel in one sitting.

Title: “And Then There Were None” Author: Agatha Christie Genre: Mystery Fiction This is the perfect book for anyone who loves mysteries. The novel starts with eight people receiving invitations to go to Soldier Island for various reasons. Once all of the invited individuals are on the island, they are killed one by one. The identity of the killer is no easy mystery to solve and requires a very attentive reader. Readers that appreciate the dark, creepy and twisted will love this novel.

Title: “Ready Player One” Author: Ernest Cline Genre: Science Fiction This novel is a fantastic way for people eho enjoy playing video games to combine this interest with reading.

“Ready Player One” takes place in a dystopia that is especially different from others, as a lot of it is contained virtually.

This novel centers on Wade Watts as he attends classes, interacts with others and entertains himself all within a game, the OASIS. The OASIS can be best equated to the virtual reality gaming systems of today, such as the Oculus Rift.

This novel follows Wade’s adventure as he searches for something within the game that could change his whole life outside of the game. I would recommend this novel to people who enjoy gaming, scavenger hunts and even the 1980s as this story contains a nostalgic homage to that time period.

Title: “The Deal” Author: Elle Kennedy Genre: Romance, Fiction “The Deal” is the perfect winter romance as it follows the creation of a relationship by using and even enhancing the classic tutorturned-love interest story line.

The book is written from the perspective of the two main characters: Garrett, whose life is dominated by hockey, and Hannah, who aspires to be a singer. The dual perspective gives a more holistic view of the blossoming relationship.

This book has funny, sexy, romantic and dramatic elements to it, making it very relatable for college students. If you

love romance novels, then you will never want to put this one down. Additionally, “The Deal” is the first novel in the “OffCampus” series in which each book is written from the perspective of another of Garrett’s teammates, providing a variety of characters that different readers can relate to.

Title: “Outliers” Author: Malcolm Gladwell Genre: Nonfiction “Outliers” is a novel about success.

Gladwell analyzes the factors that make certain people successful, not focusing on traits, but instead on their surroundings and situations. This book gives real examples of what factors — including culture, time period, time of the year born, family, upbringing and more — contribute to making people successful and how such factors impact people in general.

I would truly recommend it to everyone as it is an extremely interesting read.

The examples that Gladwell gives are so fascinating that the reader learns so much about the world and the people within.

Title: “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” Author: Trevor Noah Genre: Autobiography You may know Trevor Noah from his role as host of The Daily

Show, the position he took over from Jon Stewart in 2015. In “Born a Crime,” Noah writes about his childhood in South Africa under apartheid.

The book is funny, moving and honest, and tackles topics ranging from race relations to his time in high school copying CDs and being a disc jockey.

Since its release in mid-November, the book has received praise from professional reviewers and readers alike and is on the New York Times Bestseller list.This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys learning about history and cultures around the world or those who just want to learn more about Noah as he hits his stride on The Daily Show. When planning for the winter remember your coat, hat, scarf, gloves, boots and a book or two.

Curling up with a good book is the perfect activity for a snowy day — so make sure to stop by your local library or to ask your Secret Santa for some reading material. I encourage you to give one of these books, or just any book a read over break.

Jacqueline is a freshman in LAS. jnb2@dailyillini.com

Monday, December 5, 2016

10

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Find a New Year’s resolution that is possible ISABELLA JACKSON Special sections editor

W

hen the ball drops at midnight New Year’s Eve, many students will be thinking about how they will make 2017 their best year yet — whether that is getting in shape, acing all their classes or meeting that perfect someone. Unfortunately, according to the University of Scranton, only eight percent of Americans actually end up succeeding in their resolutions.

Keep in touch with family and friends

Sometimes the weeks in college can fly past, and it’s easy to forget to keep in touch with your family members and friends at different schools. In 2017, you can make it your goal to keep in touch with them a little better. Technology has made this easier than ever before because there are many ways to communicate with people, even if they are in a different country.

Send Grandma an email every Tuesday or catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. They will appreciate it, and talking to a friend is a great way to reduce stress when life gets busy.

On top of that, try to be a better friend in general. I realized — after my roommate pointed it out to me — that I have a bad habit of answering questions about my own life and forgetting to ask about how my friends are doing. I’m resolving to make a conscious effort to check in on my friends regularly, and not just when they check on me.

Organize your schedule before school starts

Getting organized is one of the most popular New Year’s Eve resolutions. Luckily, for college students, winter break is a good time to change — or create — a system to organize your calendar and schoolwork.

If you don’t have a planner, Google calendar or other system of keeping track of due dates, find one.

Start looking at which books are required for classes and either buy them early or keep track of the titles to buy them later. I understand that there are some classes that the required book isn’t useful, but it’s at least nice to have an idea of how much money you’ll need to spend on books before you start placing orders on Amazon.

Find a healthy recipe or form of exercise that you like According to the University of Scranton study, the most common New Year’s Resolution that Americans make is to lose weight. A crash diet or intensive exercise routine may last over break when there’s little else to do at home, but once school starts, it may be difficult to continue. Instead of an extreme change, try find-

ing a healthy recipe or two that you can cook easily and enjoy eating. For me, I can throw together chicken breast, veggies and peanut sauce and eat it with brown rice. It’s easy to cook, healthy and easier on my wallet than ordering takeout.

If you decide to work out more in 2017, find a form of exercise that you enjoy doing.

Otherwise, working out becomes just another chore to do when you have homework, the apartment is a mess and you just want to sleep. Campus Recreation offers many different ways to exercise, from group classes to intramural sports to free weights. If running isn’t your thing, try swimming laps or skating at the ice rink.

Challange your opinions

The past year has been a divisive one in the U.S. Sometimes it seems like my Facebook feed is full of people trying to shout their opinion louder than everyone else. In 2017, if you discuss politics, religion or any other controversial topic, talk to someone with a different opinion than you and actually listen to his or her response.

Your opinion may not change, but getting a different perspective on the issue may help you to be more respectful of others and see where their opinions are coming from. Sometimes your opinion will change, and new information will make you see the world a little differently. If this happens, there’s no shame in admitting that you were wrong.

Try something new

There are so many cool things in the world, and a surprising number of them can be experienced in Champaign-Urbana. Students can take classes that teach them to paint, ice skate or speak a foreign language. There are restaurants serving food from across the globe. Krannert hosts a multitude of different kinds of performances.

Trying something new doesn’t have to be a huge commitment, but setting a goal to experience something out of the ordinary frequently will make you a more wellrounded person and give you great stories to tell.

Appreciate your time on campus

Now that I’m realizing I only have three more semesters as a college student, my goal is to work harder to appreciate how lucky I am to be at the University. I won’t always have most of my friends within walking distance, the many free resources offered by the University or so many options for Wednesday night karaoke. When midterms or finals come around and I’m feeling stressed, I don’t always appreciate how great I have it. The last few years have flown by, but my goal is to enjoy 2017.

Thinking about the future is important.

There are internship applications to submit,

DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Bella Jackson says taking the time to enjoy local restaurants such as Espresso Royale or trying out new exercises, such as yoga taught by Campus Recreation, are great goals for 2017. tests to study for and groups to lead. But it’s also important to not worry so much about the future that you miss out on the present. Have fun with your friends, spend a nice afternoon on the Main Quad or grab your favorite latte from Espresso Royale, and acknowledge that life can be pretty good.

life. Sure, I probably should eat a little healthier and do a better job keeping track of homework deadlines, but this year will be great because I’m resolved to smile more, spend time with family and friends and do what makes me happy. And that’s a New Year’s resolution everyone can follow.

I’m looking forward to 2017, but not because I’m using it to make a drastic change in my

Isabella is a junior in LAS. ijackso2@dailyillini.com

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11

DIY gifts spread holiday cheer when on a budget ISABELLA JACKSON Special sections editor

T

he holidays are an expensive time, and it can be overwhelming — and hard on your wallet — to purchase gifts for all of the people in your life. So instead of buying them gifts, try making a unique, homemade present that will make them think of you each time they see it.

Painted canvas

Search for coupons or other deals to purchase the canvas from a craft store such as Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, as the materials can sometimes be a little expensive. Canvases range in size, so plan how you are going to decorate it before purchasing one.

To paint a canvas, simply use acrylic paint to paint scenery or write a favorite quote.

If freehand painting isn’t on your list of talents, try finding a stencil to guide your hand, or you can just ditch the brush and make a photo collage.

Printed out photos, magazine clippings or any other paper can be glued to the canvas using Mod Podge for a unique creation. For college friends, this gift is a great reminder of inside jokes, can showcase photos of good

times, and give them a decoration for their apartment or dorm room.

Hot chocolate bags

Search Goodwill or other thrift stores for unique spoons from silverware sets.

Purchase one for each gift you're making.

Bring them home, wash them and allow to dry completely.

Melt white chocolate chips or almond bark in the microwave, stirring to make sure it doesn't burn. Take each spoon, dip it in the melted chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy cane onto it. Let dry on a sheet of waxed paper.

Buy a large tin of hot chocolate mix and separate into plastic baggies. Add mini marshmallows and place a spoon, chocolatecovered side down, in each bag. It helps to put the spoon on the outside of the hot chocolate mix so it can be seen from the outside. Seal the top of the baggie, but make sure to hand out the bags right-side up so nothing spills.

Ceramic coasters

Although putting a coaster under that drink may not be of top concern for all the college students on your list, coasters are easy to make and are functional, cute decorations. Go to a home improvement store such as Menards or Lowe’s and purchase ceramic tile pieces. While they come in a variety of

sizes, the two inch by two-inch squares is the best size for coasters. At most stores, these run under $.25 each.

To decorate the coasters, choose scrapbook paper in a pattern that you like or print out pictures of you and your friend. Cut the paper or photos into a square that will fit on the tile, leaving a small border around the outside of the tile.

Glue the paper or photo on with Mod Podge. Let dry and coat in a second layer of Mod Podge. To make sure the colors on the paper do not run if they get wet, spray with a waterproof sealant. Lastly, glue a square of felt or cork on the bottom, so the coasters will not scratch the surface where they are placed.

Home-cooked dinner

Last but not least, don’t underestimate the value of a good home-cooked meal. During fi nals week, cooking a big meal isn’t on the top of my to-do list, nor any other student's I assume, and I'd be thrilled if someone offered to cook me dinner.

It doesn’t need to be fancy — just cook your friends their favorite dinner and enjoy your time together before everyone goes home for break.

Isabella is a junior in LAS. ijackso2@dailyillini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB SINGLETON

Steak and mixed vegetables are a fresh and easy dinner idea.

OUR S S I M DON’T

While supplies last. See store for details.

THE BEST SELECTION AT THE BEST PRICES

3604 N. Cunningham, Urbana, IL. 33 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign, IL.

Monday, December 5, 2016

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