Briana Troske

… is an iPod touch

For Christmas, Jared Darling is looking forward to having a break from school and all the stress that goes with it.

Darling, a junior from Langford, S.D., majoring in political science, plans to begin his holiday celebrations on Christmas Eve. All of his immediate and extended family plans on going over to their grandmother’s house. The entire family should total about 40 people.

Christmas Day, Darling will hang out with his immediate family that includes his mother, father and three older brothers. They will go to his other grandmother’s house and eat the traditional German food like Oyster stew.

“I could definitely use an iPod touch for Christmas. I hope Santa is tech-savvy this year,” he said.

They also have Secret Santa, for which they draw names in the summertime and then exchange the gifts. For New Year’s celebration, Darling will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., and spend four nights at the Hilton hotel.

“Over break I am hoping to go to Grand Forks and visit one of my brothers and also attend a hockey game,” said Darling.

… is to be with family

Alex Moffitt, a junior from Spirit Lake, Iowa, majoring in microbiology, has no plans prior to Christmas, but the holiday celebrations are sure to be fun.

Moffitt and her family have a tradition of making homemade pizza on Christmas Eve. They also watch television as a family that includes Moffitt’s mother, father and younger sister.

On Christmas Day, everyone wakes up early in the morning, eats a big breakfast and opens presents. In the late afternoon, they eat a traditional dinner such as roast beef or turkey. Moffitt and her family then venture over to her older sister’s home, open more gifts and play games.

As of now, Moffitt has no plans for the New Year, but she usually spends time with her friends that she has not seen for some time. She also plans on working in Brookings a little at Bravo’s over the break.

“I am looking to forward to going home and seeing my family because I never get to see them anymore since I started attending college,” she said.

For Christmas, Moffitt would like items that help decorate her apartment.

… is a new GPS system

Anna Retterath says she cannot wait for break because Thanksgiving break did not feel long enough. She is a sophomore from Sioux Falls majoring in pre-pharmacy.

For Christmas Eve, Retterath says it is pretty much like Thanksgiving because her family has the usual turkey, ham and mashed potatoes for dinner. The event takes place at her family home and includes her mother, father, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins.

“The cousins used to draw names for presents for Christmas Eve and we would have a spending limit of $25. My family also goes to church at usually four or five.”

Christmas morning, Retterath’s mother bakes pastries for breakfast. Her immediate family then opens presents from Santa and peers through their stocking stuffers. Christmas Day is the one day of the year when her living room can be a mess. The entire day, her family wears pajamas and for dinner they eat fondue.

During the rest of the break, Retterath’s family goes on a snowboarding and skiing trip in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. While in the cities, she visits her mother’s sister, brother and all her cousins. The cities are a common meeting place for all of her family from Georgia.

“My favorite part of Christmas break is being able to sleep, not have to worry about homework and getting to see my family and friends.”

For Christmas, Retterath is hoping to receive a new winter coat, a GPS and new warm socks.

… is a trip to Vegas

Tim Goldammer, a junior majoring in hospitality management from Sioux Falls, is looking forward to the Christmas break. His break will begin with venturing to the Twin Cities in Minnesota and shopping for clothes and gifts for Christmas. Goldammer said that he needed to go shopping to get the accessories for spring.

For Christmas Eve, Goldammer will make cookies for Santa with his mother, father, sister and brother. Each person is allowed to open one present. His family will not be eating the ordinary ham and turkey, but instead ordering Chinese.

“My brother started the tradition of eating Chinese on Christmas Eve four years ago and we have been doing it ever since,” said Goldammer.

Christmas Day, Goldammer and his family open presents from Santa. After opening presents, they go to church.

Goldammer said, “If there is snow on the ground, we will go sledding in our backyard.”

Goldammer’s family only eats one giant meal on Christmas Day that consists of a ham. The day includes all of Goldammer’s immediate family, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Goldammer is considering going to Las Vegas over Christmas break. He will be joined by other members of the Delta Chi fraternity and will most likely go to Cirque de Soleil and celebrate the New Year.

“I am looking forward to seeing all my family and friends I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s the one time of the year when everyone seems to come home for a couple of days and just relax. It’s also nice because there are no tests, homework or finals.”