Some of the best holiday memories are made in November

All of Innis’ Christmas memories occur long before December 25. In fact, most Innis Christmas festivities happen in November because December is reserved for exam studying and writing papers—U of T is nicknamed U of Tears for a reason.

Some of the favourite annual events include the Christmas Potluck and the Santa Claus parade. However, many of the best memories are made while decorating a suite with friends.

This year, the quad is lit up in rainbow hues from the fluorescent lights in all the windows. Garlands, tinsel, and bows crowd the windows and makes it seem like Christmas is already here.

Originally, there was just one decorated suite, but that suite sparked a competition of sorts resulting in festive window displays in almost all the rooms. Each person I talked to claimed that their room was the most festive, and that they won the competition. Then they hurriedly assured me that they planned on remaining the most festive by buying even more decorations and clearing out the Christmas aisles at Dollarama.

As the temperature drops and the month progresses, the window displays become more and more elaborate. The sight of the festive windows lighting up the quad is always a warm welcome for the students coming back from a day of classes.

The residents at Innis describe suite decorating as being a lovely bonding event, especially between the upper years and the first years. Often, next-door neighbours will come by and someone will bake cookies while Mariah Carey blasts through a portable speaker.

Mariah Carey was, in fact, playing at the pancake suite event. This was a highlight for many people—especially the first years. At the party, Mariah Carey was quickly replaced by Christmas caroling, accompanied by guitar and piano playing.

The Christmas vibe and feeling of family was completed by the decorations in the suite and the snow falling in flurries just outside the window. In the suite, people were dressed in pajamas or ugly Christmas sweaters, nursing hot cups of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.

People milled around as the smell of pancakes and syrup wafted through the room. Small medallion sized pancakes with blueberries, chocolate chips, butterscotch, or a combination of the three ingredients were being doled out onto plates. The pancakes were then doused with syrup or an extra sprinkling of berries before being consumed.

There were so many people crammed into the suite that there wasn’t enough room for everyone to sit, but no one minded. Some people shared chairs or leaned against the walls as they sipped on their cocoa and talked excitedly to newfound friends and those who have become as close as family.

Even though most of the students at Innis spend Christmas break at home with their families, they still create many memories with the friends who have become equally cherished.

Although an Innis Christmas is celebrated in the month of November, long before exams and the winter closure period, the spirit of the holiday shines just as bright.

Image courtesy of A Canadian Foodie