I have a lot to be thankful for, but my new Tuck family tops the list this holiday season. I say ‘family’ despite only living in Hanover for two months because of the extremely close relationships I have formed with members of the Tuck community. Holidays are about spending time with family and Tuck has certainly boosted my holiday spirit this year.
Thanksgiving – My husband and I weren’t able to travel this holiday season. What we thought was going to be a lonely Thanksgiving with the two of us turned out to be a celebration with 30 of our closest friends. As our initially small invite list grew, we not only changed our venue to the Sachem Community Center, but we also changed the menu to a traditional one, as none of our guests had ever experienced a traditional Thanksgiving meal before. Friends stopped by throughout the day to learn our American recipes, cook different parts of the meal, and watch my husband baste a turkey for the first time.
Cookie Swap Party – Some students recently hosted a cookie swap at their house just as finals were ending. I brought some of my ‘famous’ molasses chew cookies and came home with a wide assortment of home baked cookies from fellow Tuckies.
Ugly Christmas Sweaters – There are no shortage of themed parties at Tuck, and the holidays are certainly no exception. The T’15 band played to a crowd wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and apparel at a local bar. In everything from light-up sweater-vests to couples in matching Christmas tree turtle necks, we sang along to music and entered into the holiday spirit.
From parties to shared traditions, I am thankful to be part of the Tuck community this time of year. Cheers to the new year!