With December 25 in just a few days, it is time to get in the Christmas spirit and celebrate. Though Christmas day itself is usually spent with family, most Rocklin High School students make some time to celebrate with their friends during the weeks before.

These traditions take many forms, from holiday parties to gift exchanges. Some friend groups get together only once or twice, while others spend almost all of December celebrating the season.

One common tradition for students is a Secret Santa gift exchange. When it comes to buying presents for friends, it can cost hundreds of dollars to buy everyone a thoughtful gift. However, with this tradition, each person can focus on buying only one perfect gift. Because of this, Secret Santa is one of the most popular traditions around Christmas on campus.

Junior Ashley Benson has been doing Secret Santa with her friends the last few years. Each of her friends randomly chooses a slip of paper which has someone else’s gift suggestions on it. “We usually do some serious gifts and some funny gifts,” explains Ashley. “Most people in my group buy a smaller gift for everyone else, but they really focus on the Secret Santa.”

Along with Secret Santa, Ashley and her friends are planning on looking at Christmas lights and buying a gift for their friend who lives in Utah. Christmas time is busy for her group, as they like to plan a lot of activities to celebrate the season.

Many other friend groups on campus are trying the game out, as well as celebrating with their own traditions, such as viewing holiday decorations.

Christmas Tree Lane, a nickname for Pebble Creek Drive, is a street in Rocklin famous for its over the top Christmas decorations. It is another popular place to enjoy the season among rocklin students. One of these students is Senior Sarah Kharaka.

“Me and my friends usually plan a trip to Christmas Tree Lane in order to look at the Christmas lights,” says Sarah. She enjoys walking along the streets and looking at the decorated houses with her friends. It is the perfect way for them to get in the holiday season and spend time together.

Over the last few weeks of school, Sarah and her friends also plan on doing a Secret Santa gift exchange, though she admits, “We haven’t really planned it yet.” However, she is sure that it will be a fun way to celebrate Christmas.

Though a majority of students at Rocklin High School do more elaborate Christmas activities, some like to keep the season simple. Sophomore Pearl Burton prefers to exchange simple gifts with her friends instead of planning a large celebration.

“I usually make Christmas cards for my friends,” explains Pearl. She has found that this is a way to celebrate the season while giving a personal gift. She may also give out smaller gifts to her friends along with the cards.

While her tradition may be less common than a Secret Santa gift exchange, it still is somewhat common among students. Giving a small present or card can still be personal and perfect for friends.

Looking around the campus on the last few days before Christmas, you can see all kinds of traditions taking place. However, the aspects that make these traditions similar are stronger than the things that set them apart. While the gifts and celebrations may be different, they all spread the same message of Christmas spirit.