Family holiday fun

Tis the season of giving!

Dal President Richard Florizone and his family got into the spirit last Saturday with their first Dalhousie Children’s Holiday Party. Dal faculty, staff and students with children 10 years of age or under gathered in the Lord Dalhousie Room of the Henry Hicks building for an afternoon filled with festive fun.

While President Florizone and his family first had the idea to host a holiday party in their home last winter, a snowstorm on the planned date prevented the event from happening. Due to the high volume of interest, this year’s second attempt was moved to the Henry Hicks Building to accommodate as many families as possible.

The event yielded an impressive turnout, with 400-500 guests joining in the holiday spirit. Children were treated to a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate and egg nog, with hundreds of hand decorated holiday cookies and gift bags filled with treats handed out. Each child also left with a mini stuffed tiger clad in a Dalhousie t-shirt.

Of course, a holiday party wouldn’t be complete without a visit from jolliest man of them all: guests young and old enjoyed pictures with the esteemed Santa Claus. The Dal Tiger mascot also made an appearance at the party wearing a Santa hat of his own.

In the spirit of giving back to the community, the party also collected funds for Feed Nova Scotia through a variety of guessing games and activities. In addition to enjoying treats of their own, it was an opportunity for children to help others in need during the holiday season.

So, will the Children’s Holiday Party become an annual event? After this year’s merry crowd, President Florizone certainly thinks so. “We’ve really liked seeing everyone come out today,” he said. “It seems like the kids are enjoying it, so it’s definitely possible.”

With smiles all around, the party certainly was a seasonally appropriate celebration.