Here are 10 things you’re sure to see at Tradition.

10. Tons of Ugly Christmas sweaters (and maybe even a few beardaments)

Finding the perfect ugly Christmas sweater to show off at Tradition can seem overwhelming … until you realize how many friends from your residence halls are already planning a trip to local thrift stores in search of the perfect outfit.

Photo by student photographer Galen Dailey.

9. Friends standing in line to take photos with real-life reindeer

This year’s reindeer guests, Boomer and Dasher, graciously posed for photos all evening.

8. Live Christmas music to get everyone in the holiday spirit

The Student Union Board (STUB) always finds a mix of music for Tradition. This year, the band Citizens and Saints performed a live show.

7. Photos with Santa Claus

Why go to a mall when you can get a photo with your friends and Santa right on campus?

6. The entire event is put on by SPU students

Tradition is just one of the many Seattle Pacific events planned and organized entirely by student leaders: (left to right, back): Celeste, Julie, Reed, Garrett, (middle) Andrea, Hannah, Abby, (front) Yikhwan, Kirin, and Christi). (Photo credit: @seattle_pacific on Instagram)

5. Did we mention how awesome our student leaders are?

Just look at them. (Photo credit: @spu_stub on Instagram)

4. Amazing holiday-themed desserts

From this cookie-decorating bar from a few years ago to this year’s gingerbread houses and colorful cupcakes and cookies, Tradition is overflowing with sweet treats.

3. Hot chocolate. Everywhere.

Yikhwan Dillard, a 2009 graduate who now works on campus as staff, says over 400 cups of hot chocolate were served in the first 90 minutes of the event.

2. Tons of creative Christmas accessories

Last year’s Student Union Board got in the spirit with these custom antlers.

1. Seattle Pacific’s iconic tree-shaped Christmas lights

These giant tree-shaped lights have been an SPU tradition for well over a decade.

Bonus (because it doesn’t happen every year) … snow!

One of the things we love about Seattle is how close we are snow-covered mountains: perfect for snowboarding, skiing, sledding, hiking, and snowshoeing … but don’t usually have to deal with regular winter snowfalls that shut down roads and businesses or knock the power out.

Snow-covered mountain adventures are just an hour or so away. And if we really want to have a white Christmas on campus … there is probably a way.