Holiday Guide

2017

The trees are lit, the ice rink is out and the holiday season has descended upon Northwestern. The Daily's annual Holiday Guide is here to provide some festive content, exploring students' holiday traditions, seasonal celebrity songs, the origins of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and more. Check out our Holiday Guide 2017 online and on newsstands this week.

HOLIDAY STORIES

Students of different cultures, religions share how they spend Christmas
Many people who do not practice Christianity have found reasons to incorporate their own culture into the traditionally Christian holiday.
Born in Evanston, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer goes down in history
Seen in claymation movies, picture books and on any Christmas-themed knickknack, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has long been an iconic character for children all over the world. But few know where Rudolph really came from.
Student group uses ugly sweater trend to raise funds for charity
As the holiday season approaches, out come the troves of ugly holiday sweaters — brightly colored and adorned with every imaginable accessory from bells to lights to pompoms.
Fountain Square construction prompts search for new tree lighting location
‘Twas the month before Christmas, and all through Evanston, the search was on for the right spot to light the city’s holiday tree.
Q&A: Alumna Kristyn Pope, performer in “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”
Dancer and actress Kristyn Pope (Weinberg ’04) wears several hats in the touring production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” as Rita, dance captain and an ensemble member. With the production currently playing at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, The Daily spoke with Pope about her time at Northwestern and her career path as a dancer.

LISTICLES

What not to ask your Wildcat over the holidays
Hey, parents, family and friends: Congratulations! Your Wildcat has almost completed Fall Quarter at Northwestern! You may or may not have seen them at Thanksgiving, and you may or may not see them during Winter Break, but here’s an incomplete list of everything you probably (definitely) shouldn’t ask if you value their sanity.
Five things to do with 144 extra hours over break
Winter break is almost a week longer this year, which means six extra days to fill. The Daily has come up with the best uses for those 144 hours.
The best and worst celebrity versions of holiday songs
Decorations have been out at Target for weeks and the lights are finally on some of the campus trees — which means it’s time to break out the holiday tunes. The Daily compiled the best celebrity renditions of holiday songs to include on your playlist, and the ones that will make you want to change the radio station.

SPORTS STORIES

Wildcats discuss their favorite holiday movies
With frosty weather rolling in off Lake Michigan, there’s no better time to settle into the couch and watch a feel-good holiday movie. The Daily caught up with some of the more recognizable faces in Northwestern athletics and asked what films they enjoy watching during the holiday season.
No. 22 Northwestern dominates Illinois 42-7 to retain Land of Lincoln Trophy
Justin Jackson’s 144 yards and another dominant defensive performance helped No. 22 NU (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) pull away after a tight first half to win its seventh consecutive game overall and retain the Land of Lincoln Trophy for another year.
Northwestern’s bowl destination remains up in the air
Northwestern’s regular season is over, but the team and its fans will have to wait another week before finding out exactly where the Wildcats will be playing postseason football.

OPINION

A breakdown of our favorite things from Oprah’s Favorite Things
Listen — we love Oprah Winfrey as much as the next person. If she had a monopoly over the entire media industry, we’d probably be OK with it. With that said, we want to both honor our benevolent queen and poke some fun at the ridiculousness of holiday commercialism by reviewing Oprah’s 2017 Favorite Things List. From $70 pies to a toothbrush that tracks your brushing motions, there are some definite gems on this year’s list and some items the average Northwestern student may want to leave off their holiday gift list.
The Daily returns to newsstands Jan. 8, 2018. In the meantime, check dailynorthwestern.com for coverage throughout the break, and find past 2017 issues of The Daily here.