Art by Lea Olivares Raudes

The holiday season is in full swing, and that means the traditions are, too. But sometimes those traditions aren’t what you would expect. Uncommon holiday traditions are worth celebrating, which  means learning about them. Here are some of the most exciting and uncommon holiday traditions.

Some families eat at a specific food chain every year, possibly multiple times a day, such as Chipotle, McDonald’s or Panda Express. Although it is common to have a special dinner during the holidays, most of these students enjoy these restaurants because of nostalgia and tradition. Typically, dinners are enjoyed with family members or close relatives, but many students expressed their enjoyment of just being surrounded by close friends.

Horror movie nights: Instead of watching the typical holiday movies, some students enjoy watching horror movies or series. Some popular ones were “The Conjuring” series, the “Scream” franchise, the “Saw” movies and many more. There are some great scary movies out there; some just need a little more work to find, which there’s a perfect amount of time to do this holiday season.

Outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, rock climbing or fishing are also popular. Some students enjoy the outdoors, even when the temperature is less than ideal for most people. A common reason for these activities is the inviting outdoor smell of a good campfire or even just the view of the colorful Pacific Northwest. More popular activities included collecting plants and drying them, looking for mushrooms and even stargazing.

Game night is another great idea for those who don’t celebrate certain holidays or just want to have some extra fun. Students said that having game nights with friends never fails to make their winter breaks fun. Some great games include Battleship, Guess Who and Twister. These are great activities to keep friends engaged and active, and most importantly, they are fun.

Baking is one of the more typical traditions. Even though making great food is common during these months, some students really just wanted to switch it up. This can include a cake-decorating contest, making homemade pizzas or setting up a small buffet. More specific ideas included making charcuterie boards and having breakfast for dinner.

Overall, traditions are not always typical, which makes them all the more special. And remember, it’s never too late to create a new and uncommon tradition.