Send Us Information You Find Im- portant! International Student Services needs your assistance helping out other inter- In This Special News- letter: national student families. This newslet-  Learn how to participate in ter is being written for you, so if you an American tradition have ideas and suggestions on topics  Learn more about the up- that you think other international stu- coming Holiday season dent families would be interested in, please send an email to Ms. Sahar Zubairy at [email protected].

American Traditions:

On the fourth Thursday of November, American families gather for a mid-day feast and to watch football, TV specials, and parades. Distinctive Thanksgiving foods in- clude a roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauces, and . During the meal, many families express gratitude for positive things in their lives. Made an official holiday by in 1884, Thanksgiving Day commemorates feasts shared in the 17th Century by early pilgrims and Native Americans. The feasts are said to have served to give thanks to God for a good harvest and for the Native Americans’ agricultural teachings. There exists some controversy regarding the holiday, as some feel that it ignores the brutal treatment of the Native Ameri- cans by early settlers.

Remember that a vast majority of stores and restaurants will be closed completely or part of the day on the Thanksgiving day, so be sure to get all the essential items in advance. Before going to the store or the restaurant, call them and make sure they will be open.

Things to do on Thanksgiving:

Cook: The traditional consists of Turkey served with mashed potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, with a dessert such as Pecan or Pumpkin pie. For traditional recipes, click here or for more innovative recipes, click here.

Throw a Potluck : While it might be difficult to prepare all the meal by yourself, it might be good to host a Potluck party. A potluck is a gathering where each guest contributes a dish of food, often homemade, to be shared. For some tips on how to host a successful potluck, click here.

Football: Thanksgiving is always special in College Station due to American foot- ball. Off and on for almost 100 years, Texas A&M has been playing the University of Texas (or T.U.) during the Thanksgiving break. Since Texas A&M University’s departure from the Big 12 to SEC football league, Texas A&M University has been playing LSU over the Thanksgiving break. This year the game will be on November 24, 2016 at 6:30 PM.

Run: You can also take part in the 7th annual Baylor Scott & White Turkey Trot 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Run. You can do registration until 7:30am at the race site, but are highly encouraged to register online prior to the race here. Online registra- tion closes at noon on Wednesday, 11/23. The start/finish takes place at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center (700 Scott & White DR., College Station). The costs are $15 for kids or students, $25 for adults, or $75 per family or team of up to five people.

Shop: is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November) where a vast majority of retailers offer promotional sales. Though more and more stores have started to open on Thursday evening. For Black Friday deals, check your local newspaper or your favorite store’s website. A lot of online retailer like Amazon have also started promoting and will have great offers available on the Monday following the Thanksgiving week.

Holiday Traditions Here is a quick guide for y’all to learn about various Holiday traditions in the U.S.: is celebrated by Christians on December 25th as the birth of Christ. In the US, celebrating Christmas includes giving, going to Church, having dinner with family, decorating your house with lights and wreaths, leaving cookies for Santa etc.

Christmas Tree is usually a pine tree that has been decorated with vari- ous ornaments. Christmas presents are generally placed underneath the tree. Santa Claus is said to bring to the homes of the good children on the , 24th of December. He is usually portrayed as a jolly old man with a beard who wears a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white- cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots, and carries a bag full of gifts for children. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a Greek Christian bishop named St. Nicholas, who was much ad- mired for his piety and kindness.

Mistletoe is a plant commonly used as a , under which people are expected to kiss.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the lead reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. He is depicted with a glowing red nose.

Nativity Scene is an exhibition representing the scene of the birth of Jesus. During the Christmas season, you will see them displayed in front homes and churches. The nativity scene will include figures representing baby Je- sus, his mother Mary, (husband of Mary), shepherds, farm animals and angels.

Hanukkah is also known as Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusa- lem during the 2nd century BCE, after a Syrian king had effectively outlawed traditional . The holidays lasts eight days and nights and may fall any time between late November to late December. This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from Sunday, December 6 to Monday, December 14. The holiday is celebrated by lighting a menorah: one additional light of oil or wax for each night, until eight lights are lit.

Kwanza is a celebration of African American culture and heritage. Tra- ditions include lighting seven candles, traditional African dress, drumming, music, dancing, giving gifts, learning about African history, and holding a feast. The holiday was established in 1966 and is dedicated to seven princi- ples (unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, pur- pose, creativity, and faith), one for each day of the holiday. It is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.

Events happening around town for the holiday season:

JINGLE BELL FUN RUN Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1:15 p.m. Two-mile route. Dogs welcome. Before the B/CS Christmas Parade Registration: Sept. 5-Nov. 25 $15 entry fee before Nov. 18. $20 fee Nov. 19-25 Shirts not guaranteed after Nov. 18.

LIGHTS ON Nov. 26 - Jan. 1 • 6-11 p.m. Stephen C. Beachy Central Park More than one million lights will be on.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK Stephen C. Beachy Central Park Dec. 2 & 4 • 6- 10 p.m. FREE Hayrides, photos with Santa and cookies and hot cocoa.. Dec. 3 • 12-10 p.m. Dance performances, inflatables, petting zoo, real snow slides, and Holiday Vendor Village selling a variety of merchandise. Interest- ed in becoming a vendor? Register before Nov. 18.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Saturday, Dec 10 • 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lincoln Rec- reation Center FREE hot breakfast, Christmas-themed games and more! Ag- es 15 and under will receive a gift from Santa.