The holiday season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start getting in the spirit this year. Whether it is decorating Christmas trees, shopping on Black Friday for the best deals or simply following family traditions, the holidays are a time for peace, love and acceptance. On the subject of decorating, on Monday, Nov. 25, the Catholic Newman Club hosted an ornament making social in preparation for their annual Christmas tree lighting.
The Catholic Newman Club decided to host the ornament making social to bring together the entire Kean community to express their creativity, by making ornaments of their own to help in decorating their Christmas tree. The tree will be put up in the Miron Student Center Atrium for all to see. The Catholic Newman Club also believes that bringing the community together for an event such as this allows everybody to meet new people, as well as to ease their stresses, especially since finals are approaching in the coming weeks.
"This is our annual tree lighting event and our annual ornament making party, which we started a couple semesters ago, which has, since then, become a big hit for us. We're making ornaments for our annual tree lighting party, where we hang up all the ornaments that we made, and it is a lot of fun for the whole Kean community to come and join in spirit and celebration and community," said Amanda Owen, secretary for the Catholic Newman Club.
The Catholic Newman Club provided the necessary crafts for students to really express their more artistic sides, and to create ornaments that speak to them. The event allowed everybody to bond with each other while doing something that will benefit the Kean University student population.
Participants did not need the best art making skills to be involved. Students of all different backgrounds and experience levels were welcome to participate and have a good time. Ornaments can vary from saying things such as "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," or customizing the ornament with 3-D stickers of holiday themed festivities like a Christmas tree.
"I believe an event like this is a really great idea to bring everybody together in faith, and we learn a lot about our Catholic religion. We also do a little narrative on the importance of Christmas during our tree lighting ceremony. We encourage everyone to come out and participate regardless of your religion," said Owen.
The tree lighting will take place in the Miron Student Center Atrium within the following weeks. Students should check Cougar Link to find out more details about the tree lighting event. For any more information regarding the Catholic Newman Club and the events that they host throughout the year, please contact them at catholic@kean.edu.
