The evening air was chilly and crisp as students gathered in the Quad outside the library bundled with smiles, ready to enjoy a much-anticipated study break at the beginning of exam week. Student Life hosted Christmas on the Quad with hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and several sweet options, such as cookies and cake pops.

Some students shared their favorite things to do around this time of year.

"Every year around Christmas, my family has the tradition of watching the Polar Express while drinking hot chocolate. One of my favorite treats my mom makes are those cookies with the Hershey kisses in the middle," answered Alyssa Gamble, a sophomore Music major.

"One of my favorite Christmas activities I like to do with my family is to make all kinds of cookies, like Christmas crinkles, gingerbread, and more," said Marcy Scardino, a sophomore Psychology major. "We always watch The Nativity Story, and I love classic movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But getting together with family is one of my favorite traditions when we travel to Nashville to visit my grandparents."

Students lined up on either side of the snack buffet and picked their favorite popcorn or cookie flavor and their choice of steaming hot chocolate or coffee with marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks. With treats in hand, students huddled around a blazing fire where they could warm themselves while catching up with friends or make s'mores. A CIU gathering is only complete when some sport is enjoyed, as some passed a soccer ball back and forth.

Nathanael La Salvia, a junior and Digital Media & Cinema major, said some of his favorite traditions in his family are lighting the Advent candles, both at church in the morning and later at home with the family and some friends. Other favorites are setting up the nativity scene, staying up late on Christmas Eve and New Year's, and food such as charcuterie boards and gifts.

Under twinkling Christmas lights wrapped around trees, some students decorated gingerbread or sugar cookies or wrote Christmas cards for friends or family as Christmas music played over the Quad, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Toward the end of the evening, the Student Life Team congratulated everyone on the hard work they had put into the semester and wished everyone a Merry Christmas as they handed out gifts from under the decorated Christmas tree.

Community is at the heart of CIU where we’re educating students from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.