It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – at least in many students’ dorm rooms anyway.

Despite the many projects, papers and finals that are quickly approaching, students in residence halls have taken the time to deck their rooms with holiday decor.

Bright lights, miniature Christmas trees, garland, holly, stockings and the familiar sights of the holidays can be spotted among residence halls.

Many student decorators emphasize their desire to spread holiday cheer and jump-starting the mood for the holidays.

“We love to decorate for Christmas because it is our favorite holiday,” freshmen Angela Bergfeld and Amber Castillo said simultaneously.

With holiday cheer the roommates even share Christmas theme food with floormates.

Their room boasts Christmas decorations from the inside out. Colorful lights run along the walls of their McDonald West room complete with a miniature Christmas tree and sparkling garland running along the base of their television.

Similar decorations can be found in freshmen Stacy Schroeder and Paige Hollister’s dormroom. They did everything from putting up a tree to hanging stockings on their bedpost. They even cut out snow flakes on their door to create a holiday atmosphere.

Residents of Kreischer-Batchelder Laura Laubenthal and Sally Williams also went all out in decorating their living space. Laubenthal said she and her roommate spent a little over three hours transforming their room.

And even though their room has plenty of decorations, including wall hangings, a board counting down the days until Christmas and lights around the window, Laubenthal plans to shop for more decorations this weekend.

“I think that you can never have too many holiday decorations,” Laubenthal said.

Many students decorate to brighten the dark, dreary days of the coming winter and to bring a cheery mood to their residence hall.

Hailey Sible and her roommate, Brittany Kennedy, turned their living space into a miniature wonderland to create a warm atmosphere for the holidays.

“A lot of people stop in to look at our decorations,” Sible said.

Not only do their decorations catch the eyes of passers-by, but their decorations provide a sense of unity on their floor.

One aspect unique about their tree is that it includes ornaments made by floormates. At the end of the semester, the floor will exchange gifts as apart of a secret Santa program.

For some people though, decorating has its roots from traditions back home. Sophomore Jen Kellermeyer said she decorates because it was what she did when living at home.

“Christmas is a big holiday for me and my family,” Kellermeyer said.

The miniature Christmas tree in her room is particularly meaningful because it represents something special.

“Cutting down a fresh Christmas tree was something my dad did until he passed away five years ago,” Kellermeyer said. “I would have a real one in my room, but it’s against the rules.”

Other holiday traditions for Kellermeyer include listening to classic holiday music from artists like Nat King Cole and Josh Grobin. She also enjoys watching the holiday movies “Elf” and “A Christmas Story” with friends.

Harshman-Dunbar residents Rebecca Morrow and Katie Campbell, decorate their rooms for similar reasons as well.

“I like to decorate around Christmas time because it feels more homey,” Morrow said.

A favorite holiday tradition of hers is to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas movie and Campbell said she always goes to the orchestra. It’s one of her holiday traditions.

While decorating their rooms, students on campus should be mindful of a few rules established by the University. All decorations should be fire resistant. Additionally no decor should be hung from the ceiling. Room doors can have decorations as long as the entire door is not covered. Avoid the use of colored putty, two-sided tape or nails to prevent being charged for damages.

For those interested in having a Christmas tree in their room, make sure that it is artificial and no taller than two feet. Lighting sets are not to be hung on metallic trees and all other lighting decorations must be turned off when leaving the room.

Happy decorating and happy holidays!

Dorm Decor Rules:

While decorating their rooms, students on campus should be mindful of a few rules established by the University.

All decorations should be fire resistant

No decor should be hung from the ceiling

Doors can have decorations as long as the entire door is not covered

Avoid the use of colored putty, two-sided tape or nails

Trees must be artificial and no taller than two feet

Lighting decorations must be turned off when leaving the room