The heartwarming feeling you get inside when doing a good deed is familiar during the holidays.

“I personally think that if someone gives me a gift, I feel obligated to give back, so giving should be all the time,” said sophomore Miranda Patrick.

Giving is not just limited to family and friends though.

“Giving should happen all the time because people are always in need, but I think people around the holidays remember what they are thankful for, but it’d be awesome if all people were like that all the time,” said senior Liz Larsen.

For many students the holidays are about being thankful for what they have.

“Christmas is the most blessful time of year because it reunites the family together,” said junior Jasmine Menjivar.

Community service also happens to pick up more during the holidays. National Honor Society is putting together a coat drive, and STUCO is holding a fundraiser for charity and also planning a trip to a nursing home.

“We feel some residents don’t get visited, and we like to provide a sense of family and love and comfort since they don’t have that,” said Larsen.

The holiday environment may be full of cheer and happiness, but for many it can be an incredibly stressful time of year.

“Since the divorce there’s four Christmases, dinners, you name it. We often have to do a lot of rotating and it just makes it hard, but more gifts,” said junior Abby Williams.

Despite the stress that may be present around the holidays, efforts usually pay off in the end and people are able to enjoy themselves.

“Christmas is my favorite time of year because I’m with my family and everyone’s usually in a happy, giving mood,” said Larsen.