By Hilary Connelly
Dressed in a homemade costume, Mia Larson, as an 8 year old, performed the Christmas story for her family.
This is just one of many Christmas traditions that BYU''s students bring with them to celebrate the season.
Whether sitting around the tree opening gifts or caroling in the streets, BYU students were asked to share their favorite Christmas traditions.
'Every year my family re-enacts the nativity scene,' said Mia Larson, 20, a sophomore from Scottsdale, Ariz. majoring in marketing. 'As my brothers, sisters and I have gotten older, it''s not quite the same. But as kids we used to dress up in costumes and get really into our parts.'
Representing the true meaning of Christmas, several students shared that their families tried to remember Christ''s birth during their holiday celebrations.
'Every Christmas Eve my family talks about Christ''s birth and also acts out the nativity scene,' said Nick Johnson, 22, a junior from Provo, Utah majoring in political science said. 'It''s a really big deal, we have scripts and practice for weeks prior.'
One of Johnson''s favorite family traditions that he still participates in is going to Salt Lake City and seeing the Christmas program at the Conference Center and seeing the Tabernacle Christmas Broadcast.
'We always stay overnight together at a hotel and walk around Temple Square enjoying the lights,' Johnson said.
For some families, holiday parties and feasts with family and friends are what make their holiday merry.
'Two nights before Christmas my family has a huge party at the local ward building,' said Brian Martin, 22, a junior from El Dorado Hills, Calif., said. 'It''s so great to get the extended family together each year and see how everyone has been.'
'Another tradition that is memorable for my family is playing golf every Christmas afternoon with my brothers. Then my whole family goes and sees a movie,' Martin said.
Opening stockings, ripping neatly wrapped presents and watching for Santa''s tracks is what makes Christmas special for many students and their families.
'My family opens presents in an non-traditional manner,' said Dave Lund, 23, a junior from Pleasanton, Calif., majoring in business. Lund and his family members use a Danish tradition to open their Christmas gifts. 'We hang 25 presents from a string opening a gift a day until Christmas. It''s such a great way to bring the family together and it''s always fun when it''s your present to open.'
Creativity and togetherness is what makes each family tradition special said some students.
'My family does something unique and puts together Christmas puzzles during the holidays,' Reagan Rehder, 25, a senior from Seattle, Wash., majoring in international relations. 'Then we hang the puzzles as decorations. It''s a great reminder of the time we''ve spent together and the fun we have as a family.'