Walking through the residence halls this time of year, students are likely to be playing Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate or decorating their rooms.
Some students stick with basic decorations such as a string of lights around the room. Other people's tastes prefer more elaborate decorations.
Freshman Jessica Trcka falls into the latter group. The Studebaker West resident spent about $25 on Christmas decorations at Wal-Mart.
"I like colorful and I like Christmas," she said.
Trcka's door is decorated with two Santas for her and her roommate as well as a Christmas tree counting down the days until Winter Break.
Once inside, Trcka's love of decorating. From her festive bedspread to the decorations on the wall, the room is filled with Santas, snowmen, reindeer and a Christmas tree.
"I decorate for every holiday," Trcka said.
Sophomore Megan Manlove, who also lives in Studebaker West, said she spent less than Trcka on decorations.
"I spent about $15 and bought it all at Goodwill and Hobby Lobby," Manlove said.
She also decorated last year but had fewer decorations up than this year.
While junior Matt Mackowiak, a Kinghorn Hall resident, put up Christmas decorations, he said he spent no money on them.
"They all came from home," he said. "My mom and sister came down before Thanksgiving with decorations."
Mackowiak said decorating early meant he could have them up longer than just the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. He said he likes to decorate the room to make it more inviting.
"Looking outside, it's nasty, but decorations make the room look cheerier," he said.
Sophomore Katie Fetterolf agreed.
"[Decorating] makes everything more homey," she said.
The Park Hall resident spent only $10 on decorations this year because she brought most of hers from home. Those that she bought were from Target.
Many students put up lights, but Fetterolf and her roommate, Allie Smith, put decorations on their window. They decorated it with a Christmas tree, Santa, a sleigh and reindeer.
Park Hall resident and sophomore Danielle Rhymer purchased her decorations at Target. She spent about the same amount as Fetterolf and Smith.
"[My roommate and I] love Christmas. It's our favorite holiday," Rhymer said. "It helps with the stress of finals."
Eric James of DeHority Complex spent no money on his decorations, either.
"I haven't spent any. I stole them from my mom," James said with a laugh.
He said he had more decorations up last year.
"I accidently grabbed a shorter strand [of lights]," he said.
Although he doesn't have as many decorations, he still enjoys the season's festivities.
"I like Christmas and I like Christmas lights," he said.
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