It’s the holiday season, so we know what everyone is thinking about: food. The Independent surveyed students to determine which foods they enjoy most at this time of year. Food during the holidays is more than just fulfilling nutritional needs—it symbolizes togetherness, tradition, and family. As the semester draws to a close and finals loom over campus, students find solace in the comforting meals the holiday season promises.
Whether you gather with family, friends, or others, most people celebrate with a delicious meal. With its diverse student body and thousands of perspectives, Harvard is a melting pot of celebrations and culinary traditions. So, what are Harvard students most excited to indulge themselves with this holiday season?
The foods Harvard students eat depend on the holidays they celebrate. The season begins in early November and late October, celebrating Diwali, the major Hindu festival. Many at Harvard then celebrate Thanksgiving, an American holiday spanning religious backgrounds. However, almost 15% of international Harvard students will be experiencing a holiday that is foreign to them. European students may celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on Dec. 5 or 6, depending on their country.
Hanukkah is the next major holiday for Jewish students, who comprise 25% of the undergraduate population. Additionally, a significant portion of Harvard celebrates Christmas. Many also honor African culture through Kwanzaa and other cultural holidays. There is a lot to celebrate during this holiday season, and what better way than to eat food?
The Independent surveyed Harvard students and asked what food they were most excited to eat this holiday season. 61% of the students surveyed were excited about traditional Thanksgiving foods, including turkey, mac and cheese, apple pie, and stuffing. One student mentioned corn casserole, a popular dish in the Midwest.
For more religiously specific holidays, students shared the traditional foods they enjoyed during Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali. Students celebrating Christmas mentioned Prime Rib, Olivier Salad (a Russian dish), ham, and stuffing as their most anticipated dishes. Students were excited about Sufganiyot, an Israeli jelly-filled donut eaten during Hanukkah. One student also mentioned laddu, a traditional Indian sweet eaten year-round, specifically at Diwali.
Respondents reasoning for picking their foods included:
“Tasty and recipe runs in the family.”
“Warm, comforting, and reminds me of the holiday season.”
“Because it lowkey slaps every time, and it’s homemade.”
“Love the taste reminds me of trips to India.”
“It’s a comfort food that I’ve eaten my entire life and can be made in many different ways.”
These respondents highlighted taste as a key factor in their food preferences. However, many other factors were also mentioned. Respondents expressed a personal connection to the foods they eat during holidays, whether through tradition, family, home, or other meaningful ties. While they loved the taste, they also valued the emotions that food brings to people.
The holiday season is a time for self-reflection and celebration with others. Harvard students have much to celebrate this year and will all do so uniquely. As the semester comes to a close, the student body will begin to enjoy a well-deserved break, and hopefully, they will use it to indulge in the foods of their various holidays and cultures.
Kalvin Frank ’28 (kfrank@college.harvard.edu) stuffed himself with candied sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving this year.