Staff Writer- Cora Hess
As the first snow falls at Gustavus Adolphus College, students have begun to prepare for finals, which are soon approaching. With the end of the 2025 Fall Semester approaching, relief is what most students are seeking. Students are encouraged to take a break from their rigorous studying to join the Campus Activities Board (CAB) at their Winter Wonderland night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10th in the Jackson Campus Center! If winter is your favorite season or even if you just love the season’s cozy aesthetics, join CAB to have some stress-free fun! By offering a festive pause before the semester officially ends, CAB’s Everyday Activities Co-Executives, Junior Rae Holwerda and Sophomore Ruby Heilman, have been working hard to plan this festive Winter Wonderland. This event will be happening all over the Campus Center.
“We’re most excited to see everyone moving around the different stations and just enjoying themselves. It’s going to be really cool to see the campus center feel festive and cozy for the night,” Holwerda said.
The setup of this wonderland offers students a range of activities designed to provide relief during one of the most demanding weeks of the academic year. In the Courtyard Café, there will be wrapping paper decorating with a Christmas movie playing in the background, adding to the mellow atmosphere. All around the courtyard, there will be a variety of holiday-themed snacks. Out in front of the CEC (Community Engagement Center), they will have a Winter Wonderland photo booth for you so you can always remember the sweet memories made on this night of seasonal magic. Inside the Gustie Den, students are invited to make their own candles, which can be shared as a gift or kept for themselves. Finally, in the Heritage Room, a gingerbread house decorating and karaoke station await.
Through this whole planning process, there is one specific thing that stuck out to Holwerda as most important.
“The biggest thing is that everyone is welcome, and everything is completely free for students,” she shared.
“There’s a lot of variety, so people can stay the whole time or just stop by for a little bit–whatever works for them,” Holwerda said on the flexibility of this event, making sure that all students have a chance throughout the evening to stop over and experience this festive outing with their peers and friends.
Co-President of CAB, Junior Frances Lindgren, shared what she’s seen in the planning process from her perspective, “I am super excited for this event! Rae and Ruby have been so creative in their events this semester, and the Winter Wonderland is no exception. I love their ability to push events and make them bigger, better, and all the more fun for every student on campus!”
She recognized the hard work gone into making it possible and the joy that will be shared for all those who join. “If you want to experience good holiday vibes and lots of fun activities, this is the place to be!”
Not only does this magical event replace stress with holiday snacks, karaoke, and decorating stations, but it also opens up the chance for students to hang out with friends and meet new people. Recognizing the need for balance, Holwerda hopes that the outcome of this calming event “gives students a chance to relax and have some fun before finals. We want people to be able to take a break, make something creative, hang out with friends, and enjoy some holiday vibes around campus.”
While this serves as a calming release from studying, it also serves as a break from living on your own and being an adult. The sense of nostalgia that comes with these activities is enough to make you feel like a child, giddy to go play in the snow again. This was something taken into account when Heilman was working on the plan. She shares, “Our overall hope for the evening will be to provide a space where students can take a break from studying or other end-of-semester business and maybe bring out their inner child a bit.”
Heilman and Holwerda are thrilled to see their work getting ready for action in a way that will help decompress the academic strain stirring through the students. This event will give students a chance to unplug and enjoy the winter season.
“We’re excited to provide activities that will engage a wide variety of interests and involvement, since we know Gusties are often very busy, especially this time of year,” Heilman said.Holwerda would like to leave everyone with one final note: “Tell your friends, come comfy, and just have a good time. We want this to be a fun, low-stress night for the whole Gustavus community, and we’re really excited to put it on for everyone.” Finals are here, stress is high, and winter is cold. Winter Wonderland is here to warm things up.