December is finally here, and along with it comes the vibrant lights, gingerbread houses, and the infamously famous, ugly-sweater parties. More than 90 percent of Americans say they celebrate Christmas regardless of their faith, and that’s no different here on campus.

“I am Hindu and celebrate Diwali, Holi, and Rakshabandhan during this time of year,” junior Aniket Matharasi said. “But my family also puts up a Christmas tree and decorations even though we’re not Christian.”

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A Pew Research Center survey from 2015 showed that 81 percent of non-Christians in America celebrate Christmas with 32 percent saying the day was celebrated more as a cultural holiday than a religious one.

“We’re not very religious but we’ve always celebrated Christmas,” freshman Ethan Walker said. “It’s a fun thing to do and we enjoy being together as a family this time of the year.”

However, Pre-Calculus teacher Amber Bennett appreciates both the religious and cultural aspects of the holiday.

“We do the traditional Christmas things, getting a tree, decorating it and we also celebrate is a religious holiday,” Bennett said. “Christmas is all about being together as a family.”

But as people focus more on gifts and material aspects, Bennett feels that the holiday season is losing it’s true meaning.

“Christmas time is definitely becoming more commercialized,” Bennett said. “It’s more about what you’re a getting a person than the true meaning of the gift.”