Preparations underway for Christmas on the Hill

Christmas on the Hill may begin at 6 p.m. on December 8, but the planning starts months earlier.
The activities office started preparing for Christmas on the Hill when they ordered the favors over summer.

“We always give a favor that goes in each place setting at dinner,” said Jaimie Steel, director of student activities and commuter life.

By Chelsea Cooper,

Contributor

Christmas on the Hill may begin at 6 p.m. on December 8, but the planning starts months earlier.
The activities office started preparing for Christmas on the Hill when they ordered the favors over summer.

“We always give a favor that goes in each place setting at dinner,” said Jaimie Steel, director of student activities and commuter life.

The favor is set at each student’s place setting, and students get to take these favors with them after the meal. Andrew Roberts, a senior, said last year the favor was a little, grey teddy bear wearing a Santa hat.

“Student activities selected the favor and told me about it in March. Then we build the theme around that,” said Darren Achtzehn, food service director.

Margaret Dominick put out all of the table signup sheets in mid October. According to Steel, she put them out earlier than she has in previous years. All forms are due back no later than noon on Monday, December 3.

The disc jockey chosen for the dance is from Absolute Sound, the same company that was used at the foam dance in September.

Most of the planning and set up for Christmas on the Hill happens after Thanksgiving break.
“We help recruit students from Thanksgiving up until the night before Christmas on the Hill to help decorate,” said Steel.

Christmas on the Hill has become a big event on campus. Last year 491 participants came to the event.
To create enough space for the event, both Lowe Dining Hall and the Greensburg Room are used. The ice cream bar and cereal bar are taken from the dining hall to make more room for the event.

The three-course meal will be served by volunteers from the faculty and staff at Seton Hill University. The courses include salad, the main entree, and dessert, but the dinner menu for that evening is never disclosed ahead of time.

“Dessert is served family style, by table, to create a unique experience, bringing students closer together,” said Achtzehn.