Christmas at uni: nine ways to celebrate with your flatmates
27 November 2024By Connor. P, Student Writer at Unite Students
The sound of sleigh bells is in the air - Christmas is on the way. If you’re spending the countdown to Christmas at Uni, it’s the perfect time to get festive.
Whether you’re away from home or simply looking to create new traditions, there are various ways to make the most of the season. Time to make some festive memories with the friends you share your living space with.
Here are our top tips for getting seasonal in the buildup to Christmas at Uni.
The ‘festive light switch-on’
There’s nothing like watching a celebrity you’ve not thought about since 2015 switch on some giant holiday lights. The seasonal switch-on usually kickstarts the festive build-up across the UK’s city centres.
Keep an eye out for the switch-on dates in your town (clue: it’s usually late November – early December) and head down to enjoy the party atmosphere.
Wrap up warm, order a mulled wine to take the chill off, and say hello to the festive season with an over-the-top, LED-fuelled countdown.
Wreath making
It’s easier than you think to make a Christmas wreath, and you can almost do the whole thing for free if you know where to look. Just head outside with your flatmates to your local park or woodland area and gather what you can find. We’d recommend:
Several ‘bendy’ twigs – essentially, not too dry and don’t snap immediately when bent
Leaves – still on the twig and from a fir tree, or sprigs of holly (don’t forget gloves!)
Foliage with colour or berries - if you can find them
String or twine - the one thing you might need to buy
This video tutorial is great for showing you how to tie it altogether. Why not make it a competition and see who makes the best one? Winner gets to choose that night’s festive movie.
Festive film night
Speaking of movies, you can’t have Christmas without a festive film night. Get the cheap snacks in and get cosy – it’s pretty self-explanatory. To make it more fun (and fair), put all the titles of the Christmas films into a bowl and pick one randomly to kick off the night.
Festive flicks cover a range of genres, so you’re bound to find a film for everyone. Sink into nostalgia with some yuletide children’s hits, mix a little cutesy rom-com in, all before adding a sprinkle of feel-good festive classics.
Whether you’re a cinephile or a blockbuster devotee, a film can be a great way to spread a little seasonal cheer during the uni Christmas break.
Festive crafts
You don’t have to be a Picasso to get involved with some Christmas crafts. Just grab some paper, pens and glitter and have a catch-up around the kitchen table.
From something as simple as cutting out paper snowflake chains that you can string around the kitchen, to making Christmas cards for loved ones, it’s an easy way to take a break from the books.
Arrange a flat secret santa
We love Secret Santa, and not just because the results can be eye-wateringly hilarious. The thing is, you can make up whatever rules you like. Want gifts to have a specific theme? What about limiting the shops you’re allowed to buy from? You could even demand that everyone hand-makes their gifts on a budget of £5.
You could think outside the box when looking for useful Christmas gifts for uni students - consider what might make life a little easier for your flatmates.
If you’re serious about it, check out Elfster, a nifty, free generator which will email chosen names to each person on your list, so everyone’s Secret Santa is totally… secret.
Decide on a budget (I’d go less than £5), then pick a night for the big hand-over. Just don’t let the anticipation keep you up at night.
Make your own Christmas bakes
The festive season signifies sugary treats, mince pies and yuletide goodies. Why not have a go at baking some of these winter classics yourself?
If you’re a bit of a Mary Berry and love to bake, get everyone back in the kitchen to decorate some homemade Christmas biscuits. And don’t forget to check out our Christmas baking video for our simple festive recipes and ideas.
Mince pies are relatively straightforward and can be spiced up with your own additions (hello, brandy cream).
If baking just isn’t your forte, grab a couple of themed biscuit-decorating kits from your local supermarket for an easy win (usually less than £2).
Have a uni Christmas dinner
At this point, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy the festive season, now you just need a proper Christmas dinner.
This is actually pretty easy if you stick to a budget and share the shopping. Maybe everyone can take charge of a dish each, so one person isn’t stuck with prepping the whole thing.
Have a festive night out
Christmas club nights are a staple of the winter season. The most popular pubs and clubs in your city are bound to have a calendar of festive-themed student events. Fully immerse yourself in the fun with a seasonal fancy dress theme. We’re talking elves, Santas, and Rudolphs.
Make your costume budget-friendly by using materials you may already have to hand. Coloured felt and a handful of safety pins can go a long way when putting together Santa’s iconic red outfit.
Festive karaoke
Belting out holiday tunes with your pals is a great way to unwind, let loose, and celebrate the spirit of the season.
Deck yourself out in holiday attire and head for a singalong at the nearest karaoke bar. Most places will have a string of festive pop hits and classic carols you can try your hand (or your voice) at.
Of course, if singing on stage isn’t for you, it’s still loads of fun to just enjoy the music from the safety of the dance floor.
Not a fan of making a fool of yourself in public? You can always host a karaoke night in your flat! YouTube the music videos for your favourite Christmas bangers and sing along with the stars.
Of course, be mindful of your neighbours if you’re planning on wailing like Mariah Karey long into the night – invite them along for the fun or turn the volume down later on. You don’t want any noise complaints!
Can you stay in uni accommodation over Christmas?
Yes, most Universities remain open for people to stay on campus over the Christmas break. Some students may choose to stay in accommodation over the festive period, while others may not be able to go home if they live abroad. Plus, not everyone celebrates Christmas.
So, though uni grounds may be quiet, you’re unlikely to be the only one around if you do choose to stay on campus over Christmas.
