Christmas Tree at Boston College
BC celebrated the start of the holidays with Holiday Week, sponsored by UGBC. Last week had its share of holiday fun, and students turned up in droves to bask in the Christmas spirit. Although the weather was a little warmer than usual, students delved into the traditional holiday spirit as if a White Christmas were just around the corner.
UGBC filled the week with events, including a tree lighting on Tuesday, Breaking the Barriers Ball on Wednesday, ice skating in Conte Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, an Off-Campus Pub Crawl on Thursday, and sleigh rides around campus on Saturday.
The festivities began on Tuesday – the first day of Advent – with the lighting of the Christmas tree in O’Neill Plaza. From 5 p.m. until around 6 p.m., students enjoyed Christmas music, hot chocolate, and pictures with Santa as they anxiously awaited the lighting of the tree. Student clubs displayed small, individual Christ mas trees, which they each decorated, along the sweeping steps of O’Neill plaza. The trees stretched all along the back of the plaza and can now be seen lining the center walkway of the Dustbowl. Shortly after six o’clock, Father Leahy reminded the attendees that Jesus is present in the crowd, and we should be “mindful that soon Christmas would be with us.” The tree was then lit, showcasing thousands of multi-colored lights, and the crowd applauded. Attendants enjoyed the event until around seven; the tree can be seen every night in O’Neill Plaza.
On Wednesday, the Breaking the Barriers Ball, which was held in Gasson, combined the spirit of Christmas with the spirit of inclusivity and togetherness. Tickets cost $10 each, and the event allowed students to mingle with each other and faculty while enjoying live entertainment, raffles and refreshments. BC’s piano man Dennis Carr, along with BC bOp!, provided the music. Sophomore Jill Long spoke of the importance of reaching out to other races this holiday season. The ball also included a surprise visit from Father Leahy.
On Wednesday and Thursday night, students could rent skates and go ice-skating in Conte Forum. From 9:45 pm to 1:00 am, students enjoyed free skating in Kelley Rink. Lines were over an hour long, even if students arrived early, but everyone seemed to believe the skating was worth the wait. Skaters were permitted twenty-minute intervals on the ice, and enjoyed hot chocolate and giveaways. Students appeared in droves; a few people even came dressed as Santa.
On Thursday night at 9 o’clock, free transportation was provided for of-age students who wished to attend UGBC’s off-campus pub night. Students headed out to the Wonder Bar on Harvard Ave.
Sleigh Rides, and the promise of candy canes, brought students to Linden Lane (by Bapst Library). A horse-drawn carriage gave students a traditional Christmas experience as it car- ried them through middle campus on Saturday night – even through the snow! The events of Holiday Week are becoming beloved traditions, clearly evident in the student turnout for the tree lighting and, of course, ice skating. Holiday Week is becoming an integral part of BC’s Holiday season.
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