Christmas at Warwick

Is it just me or does Christmas seem to come earlier and earlier each year? While I used to wish it would happen every day, now it seems the one day just isn’t enough. It’s true that the build up to Christmas while at uni isn’t the same as at school, with all the handmade decorations, carol services and nativity performances to get you in the jolly mood. However, uni is full of seasonal festivities, so as Christmas inches closer, I thought I’d look at how Warwick makes its’ winter wonderland.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the twinkling lights and decorations. When campus’ own fir tree appeared outside the Arts Centre, I knew Christmas was around the corner. The Christmas lights turn on gathered quite a crowd, as did the lights in Leamington and Stratford. There’s something quite lovely about standing with your friends wrapped in hat, scarf and gloves watching trees light up for Xmas.

Last year a group of us went to Birmingham’s Christmas Market which I would really recommend hitting up during your time at Warwick. You will eat a lot as the German sausages, curly fries, doughnuts, pancakes, waffles, roasting chestnuts and much more are far too tempting, as well as buying gorgeous presents and decorations from the stalls. A highlight for me was the Ferris wheel, giving spectacular views of Birmingham. Of course, if you can’t quite make it out to Birmingham, campus puts up a special Christmas market alongside its fortnightly food market with jewellery and chocolate and other little gifts to start your Christmas shopping. Every Sunday Leamington also has pop-up Christmas markets with a wide variety of stalls for you to browse and plenty of food to try. It was especially nice in the snow at the end of term, really got me in the festive mood.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without all the delicious food. Pay attention to your sports clubs and societies, most will have some form of Christmas dinner or Christmas meeting with all sorts of tasty goodies. My house had a Christmas dinner for our ‘extended family’ and as self-titled Head Chef, I’m glad to say it was a hit! We had chicken and all the trimmings, tart and rocky road for pudding, crackers and exchanged our Secret Santa gifts. It was all I wanted for Christmas.

There are some of my highlights that I remembered while driving home for Christmas. Christmas can be a time reserved for families, but its good to spend the time while still at uni with friends to get you ready for Christmas. I wish you all a well deserved rest from uni and a merry Christmas!