NOV. 25 - DEC. 1
Special Sections Editor
Bailey Meyers
Special Sections Writers
Annie Bostwick
Autumn Straus
Ellie Johnson
Georgia Tucker
Will Decker
Sylvia Davidow
Special Sections
Photographers
Rachel Kesich
Sophia Greene
Letter from the Editor
As the year comes to an end, take time to slow down and enjoy the little moments with friends and family. We’ve got you covered with fun holiday activities and DIY gifts to make your holiday season all the more memorable. Looking for the perfect holiday movie to pair with a cozy night? Check out our Christmas movie guide, packed with recommendations to match any mood. From visiting the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House for tea to picking the perfect Christmas tree, I hope this issue inspires you to get out and enjoy the joys of the holiday season.
Bailey Meyers
Special Sections Editor
Arianna Rinaldi
Lead Designer
Eva Andrews
Student Designers
Abigail Raike
Ava Klooster
Bella Lyon
Dew Mirihana
Peyton McQuain
Rennick Coates
Student Sales Manager
Lola Tagwerker
Student Account Managers
Cooper Gast
Ysai Hong
Nate Ghilarducci
Elliot Byrne Publisher
CLOTHES
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BOOKS
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Holiday Teas at Eugene’s Historic
Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
Written by Ellie Johnson
Photographed by Rachel Kesich
Designed & Illustrated by Abigail Raike
Nestled in downtown Eugene, the Victorian “Castle on the Hill”— officially known as the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (SMJ House) — is at its most magical during the holiday season. This emerald-green, historic home comes alive each December with festive holiday teas and decorations that invite guests to experience the elegance of the Victorian era.
The SMJ House is a historic Victorian mansion built in 1888 that represents the area’s rich heritage. Overlooking downtown Eugene, this beautifully preserved landmark serves as a museum and event space, offering visitors a glimpse into Oregon’s past. As a preserved piece of local history, the house plays a vital role in historic preservation. Since it functions as a museum, it educates the community on its rich historical and cultural roots, while fostering appreciation and support for maintaining Eugene’s landmarks for future generations.
The most popular events held at the SMJ House are the monthly teas. With Christmas right around the corner, a ticket to the Holiday Tea would make an excellent gift. Each holiday tea offers a three-course meal that combines local flavor and seasonal treats. The first course is the savory course that features bites like chicken salad finger sandwiches and stuffed mushrooms. The second course features freshly baked scones, including the famous Queen’s Cream Scone. The third course ends on a sweet note with delicacies like holiday-themed cheesecake and cupcakes. Each course is served with a different seasonal tea, thoughtfully paired to enhance each dish. “The experience makes you feel special, like you’re a part of Downton Abbey or Bridgerton, and the house really enhances that feeling,” executive director, Leah Murray said.
The holiday decorations alone make a visit worthwhile, with each room showcasing carefully crafted holiday scenes. Each Christmas, the house is adorned with ten
to celebrate the season in true Victorian style. More information can be found on their website at smjhouse. org/events/teas.
The experience makes you feel special, like you’re a part of Downton Abbey or Bridgerton, and the house really enhances that feeling,”
Leah Murray Executive Director
CHRISTMAS MOVIE GUIDE
Written by Sylvia Davidow • Designed & Illustrated by Dew Mirihana
It’s officially the coziest time of the year. That time when the skies get dark earlier, the air gets colder and the house is full of merriment as everyone begins to prepare for the Christmas season. There are so many things to love about the holidays, whether it’s baking sweets or wrapping presents. But one of the best parts about this season is spending quality time with family and friends. What better way to do that then snuggling up on the couch with a nice cup of hot chocolate, a plate of Christmas treats and an entertaining yet heartwarming film to get you in the spirit.
Below I’ve compiled a list of Christmas films fit for the whole family. We’ve got musical, romance, comedy, action, and drama picks guaranteed to be loved by everyone.
Musical Pick: The Polar Express (2004)
One of the most immersive Christmas films of all time is The Polar Express. Take a trip on a Christmas Eve night train complete with surround sound audio, pointof-view visuals and a story about friendship and the importance of believing. From the Hot Chocolate tapdance number to ‘When Christmas Comes To Town,’ this film has a good handful of songs viewers will remember for years to come. It’s a Christmas classic for some and a new adventure for others.
Rom-Com Pick: The Holiday (2006)
You can watch all the Hallmark holiday films you want,but I stand by the notion that The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black is the best one. The film is directed by Nancy Meyers who
with other beloved films such as Lindsay Lohan’s The Parent Trap and Steve Martin’s Father of the Bride. The somewhat Christmas classic tells the story of a disheveled writer and unsatisfied LA producer who swap locations for the Christmas season. While on their vacation, they meet specific people who turn their lives around in the most pleasant way possible. Hans Zimmer also delivers a beautiful music score showing why this film is a true box
Action Pick: Home Alone
The night traveling for a holiday vacation, Kevin McCallister wishes his family would disappear. The next morning, he gets his wish granted when they accidentally leave him at home by himself. Home Alone is the story of Kevin’s shenanigans throughout his house as he defends himself from home invaders. This film is filled with clever booby traps, plenty of laughs and yet it’s quite touching at the end as the main message is about how everyone should have someone to celebrate the holidays with.
Drama Pick: The Family Stone (2005)
A story of a tight-knit yet dysfunctional family who deals with unexpected bad news as they host Christmas in their home. It’s a wonderful ensemble film with moving performances from Dianne Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Tyrone Giodano as well as comic relief characters played by Sarah Jessica Parker and Luke Wilson. The Family Stone is an emotional roller coaster that depicts the importance of treasuring family holidays despite the inevitable chaos.
overwhelming. Let this list of Christmas movies inspire you to choose a film that fits the genre of your choice. Because a good Christmas film should have good actors, an interesting story and most importantly a yearning for the Christmas spirit.
Northern Lights
Written by Georgia Tucker
Christmas Tree Farm
During the holiday season, one of my favorite activities is to pick out a Christmas tree with my family. It's been a tradition that happens every year since I was a little kid. Drinking hot chocolate while walking around a Christmas tree farm in hopes of finding your perfect tree feels so nostalgic to me. Now that I'm in college and live far away from home, I want to carry out this tradition with my friends! This year we are getting our tree from a local Christmas tree farm just outside of Eugene.
Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm, located in Pleasant Hill, OR, is about 162 acres with over 80 acres of trees. The farm has many different trees in the Fir family including; Douglas, Noble, Frasier, Nordman and Grand Fir. Bob and Lynn Schutte, the owners of Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm, are celebrating 30 years of being open!
Every year, Bob and Lynn gather together with their staff to bring Christmas cheer to the families that visit their farm. The Christmas tree festivities start the day after Black Friday and continue until right before Christmas. The farm is open every day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The farm is known for letting you cut your own tree down, giving you the experience of walking the farm and picking out the perfect tree for your home. All the equipment for cutting down the trees will be provided but if you feel so inclined, you may bring your own tools. If you aren't interested in cutting down your own tree, they also have pre-cut trees for sale. For those of you who love a white snowy tree, the farm partners with Greys Garden Center to flock some of the pre-cut fresh trees. There are so many shapes and sizes, from big trees to small trees. You are guaranteed to find the perfect tree!
During your visit to the farm, you should check out the seasonal food carts! The Unicorn and Rollin Dough food carts are open year-round They also offer a few other carts depending on season and availability. The Unicorn food cart serves corn dogs and hot dogs, and they are open from 11 a.m. -5 p.m. during the weekend. The Rollin Dough food cart will be open during the weekend
as well, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. If you are looking for a hot beverage to sip on while you do your tree shopping, the farm has its own cafe called the Milky Way Espresso Stand. At the cafe, they offer a variety of coffee drinks as well as other beverages like hot chocolate and tea. The cafe is open every day from when the farm opens to when it closes.
Other than delicious food and beautiful trees, the farm also sells Christmas decorations. Bob and Lynn work with their staff to decorate 30 different trees, covered in ornaments- A tradition that has been happening since the farm first opened. Each tree has its own unique theme, decorated with ornaments to match. From sports to dinosaurs, there is a tree decorated for everyone. If you see an ornament you like, you can purchase it for your own tree!
I hope this got you in the Christmas spirit! Make sure you go check out Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm before the holiday season comes to an end!
Designed by Rennick Coates
Managing Mental Health During The Holidays
Written by Annie Bostwick • Designed & Illustrated by Ava Klooster
As the days grow darker and social events slow down, seasonal depression is an obstacle many students tackle during the colder months. It can be difficult to avoid the temptation to spend the months indoors; but, with the responsibilities that college students face, maintaining mental health in the winter is crucial.
“I usually think a lot more about my family and things like that, and I tend to feel more lonely.”
Natalie Craver Junior
Everyone deals with different responsibilities and challenges, and everyone’s obstacles are unique. Thus, managing mental health looks different to everyone. A student’s journey with their mental health could look vastly different from others depending on their major, where they are living, where they are working and who they surround themselves with.
Natalie Craver, an architecture major in her third year at the University of Oregon, recalled dealing with the winter lull in social life during her time at UO. While many students experience a slow pace of activities during the winter, Craver attributed the lack of schoolwork to the pause in her ability to stay busy. “When I’m not busy, I get stressed about other things,” Craver said. “I usually think a lot more about my family and things like that, and I tend to feel more lonely.”
With the onset of seasonal depression, life can feel much more daunting. “I definitely notice a depletion in my motivation,” said Lily Thompson, a psychology student from Salt Lake City, Utah. This feeling is often an obstacle for students trying to maintain their productivity in the winter.
When it comes to dealing with the throes of seasonal depression, connection is the key. Checking in with the people in one’s community
can make a significant difference in the loneliness that many students experience. “I also went to the campus counseling center last winter,” said Craver. “It was very helpful just to talk through some of the issues I was having, so my advice is just to talk to people. It’s better to get your words out than to keep it all bottled up.”
Managing responsibilities when struggling with seasonal depression can be difficult. While quality of life is not measured in productivity, everyone has commitments they have to deal with. “I try to have the mindset of following my plan and not my mood,” said Thompson.
As the dark and dreary days become more frequent, it is important to remember that in a few short months the sun will be out again and social life will resume. Staying active, maintaining social connections and establishing routines are all ways that students can fight seasonal depression. It is also important to remember to maximize the amount of natural sunlight one is exposed to and understand the real impact that seasonal changes can have on mental health. Despite the temptation to commit to isolation, maintaining connections with one’s community can help everyone get through the winter months.
“It was very helpful just to talk through some of the issues I was having, so my advice is just to talk to people. It’s better to get your words out than to keep it all bottled up.”
Natalie Craver Junior
Customizable Gift Guide
Written by Autumn Straus • Photos by Sophia Greene • Designed by Eva Andrews
With final exams and travel plans, buying gifts for people might be one of the last things on your mind. It can be difficult to find something affordable, but personalizing gifts can be a good way to show the thought you put into it. It is also a great way to make sure whoever you’re buying for loves what you get them. With just a quick stop at a thrift store and the grocery store you can make these gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.
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1. Gift Basket
Thrift a basket and fill it with your friend's or family's favorite goodies. You can find a basket at a thrift store, and even customize it. Fill it with your friend or family member’s favorite sweet treats. You can also make a theme for the basket. Add popcorn, a blanket and candy for a movie night basket. Make a spa night basket with face masks, nail polish and moisturizers. Customize it with a few trinkets that you think your loved one may like.
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2. Thrifted Vase/ Upcycled Pot
Another idea is to thrift a vase. You can customize this gift by adding their favorite flowers to it. If you can't find one that you like at the store then buy something simple and paint it yourself. They can still use the vase as decoration even after the flowers die. Thrifting a cute planter/pot would work for this gift too. You can also decorate the pot yourself. Plant a succulent or house plant in it before you give it to your friend.
3. Coffee Bar Packages
Find a cute mug at the thrift store. There are always tons of options for mugs and cups, which makes it easy to find something for anyone. You can add to this gift by pairing it with your friend's favorite thing to drink. Buy some different types of tea, coffee beans or some hot chocolate and marshmallows. You could even buy them a gift card to their favorite cafe.
These are just a few ideas to put together this holiday season. Customizable gifts show how well you know someone and they can also be fun to make. Whatever you choose to give to loved ones this year, you can always pair it with a homemade card for an extra personal touch.
5 Volunteer Opportunities to Give Back This Season of Giving
Written by Will Decker • Designed & Illustrated by Peyton McQuain
‘Tis the season of giving, or whatever the commercials say. The thing is, those commercials often mean you should buy stuff to give. If you really want to fill that gaping hole in your heart, consider giving something you can’t buy, like your time to your community. What nobler gift is there? So actually, ‘tis the season to volunteer. With winter break upon us, most of us probably have a whole lot of time on our hands, and most places will need a whole lot more people to keep up with the holiday demand.
Here are five volunteer opportunities where you can help make a difference this season:
1. The Dining Room
Is there anything better than a hot meal to brighten someone’s day? Located in downtown Eugene, The Dining Room is a free restaurant dedicated to serving hot, nutritious meals to those who need them most. Volunteers can take part in many different roles, from serving meals, to dish washing or plating. You can look on Food For Lane County’s website for more information and find other programs and ways to help fight hunger in Lane County.
2. Egan Warming Centers
Support your houseless neighbors by volunteering at Egan Warming Centers! This initiative provides shelter and warmth during the deadly winter months when temperatures dip below freezing. Volunteers can assist with setting up sleeping areas, preparing meals and even just providing companionship. These are places where you can make a real difference this winter. You can find more information about Egan Housing Centers and other programs to help Eugene’s houseless community on St. Vincent de Paul’s website.
3. Toys for Tots
You can help make sure every child can have a happy holiday season with Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to the children who need them most during the holiday season. Volunteers are needed for toy collection, sorting and distribution. Just like it is a privilege to receive gifts during the holidays, it is a privilege to have spare time to volunteer, so consider using that time to help put a smile on a child’s face this winter.
4. Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees brings many fun ways to get involved this winter. It includes beautifully decorated
5. Go Out Into Your Local Community!
Many churches and community centers host holiday events and programs that require extra hands. Whether it’s wrapping gifts, putting on festive activities or helping out our underprivileged neighbors, there are so many ways to get involved. Check with your local churches and community centers to see what you can do for your community this winter.
Volunteering is not just about giving back; it’s also an enriching experience for you. This is what made the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes, and while for us that
