As we near the holidays, we all have those cliché family traditions of putting up the Christmas tree, singing songs, and maybe decorating the outside of the house, attempting to mimic the Griswolds.

Some people go out of town and always spend the holidays on vacation or with family somewhere else out of state or not relatively close.

Others stay home and may take fun family pictures or bond over making homemade foods of all sorts.

Natalie Roberts, senior, starts her tradition on Christmas Eve at her grandfather’s house, celebrating family with family and later continues at her house.

“Every year my family and I make cinnamon rolls from scratch to eat after opening presents on Christmas morning,” Roberts said.

One student had a similar tradition, but instead made homemade pizza on Christmas Eve, opened one present from a sibling and then went to midnight mass.

Another student explained that their family made the same three soups every Christmas day and finished the day off scratching lottery tickets hoping for a Christmas miracle.

In other families, some have fun with exchanging gifts at home as well.

Abbey Roschak, senior, exchange white elephant gifts between the family after the morning tradition of different clothing apparel and food.

“My family wears ugly Christmas sweaters and eats standing rib roast, which is pretty gross, but I have no say since my six siblings dig it,” Roschak said.

Similar to Roschak, Easton Attwood, junior, exchanges white elephant gifts with family as well during the holidays.

“On Christmas Eve, my family all gathers at my uncle’s house and eat dinner together. Later we all get in a circle in the living room and trade white elephant gifts. Finally, to finish the night we read the ‘Night before Christmas’ and return back to our own home,” Attwood said.

And although some families’ traditions consist of staying close to home, others travel for the holidays.

One student explained that they went to Chicago to the see the Christmas lights on Michigan Avenue and shopping close to the holidays. Later when they return home for Christmas they make cookies early in the morning and open presents.

All these students have similar, but unique ways to celebrate the holidays that show how diverse society is.