Celebrating Winter Solstice in your student accommodation

Winter Solstice (冬至, or Dongzhi Festival) falls in December each year. Dongzhi’s literal meaning in Chinese is often misunderstood even by native speakers. Some interpret it as ‘the arrival of winter’; while the real meaning is ‘winter’s extreme’. That is because Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, symbolising the victory over the darkness, and the days will only get brighter from then.

Winter Solstice: days will only get brighter from here

Traditional Winter Solstice celebration and activities

Winter Solstice is a day celebrated by many East Asian countries. Depending on different cultures and regions in different countries, the celebration varies with activities and foods. For example, the Northern part of China will eat dumplings together, while Southern China will eat Tangyuan, or glutinous rice balls; hot pot and wonton are also two of the popular choices.

In Chinese culture, family and friends are very important. Just like Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year, groups gather on Winter Solstice evening for a meal together, eating traditional food, catching up on life, followed by some games and/or karaoke together.

This remains true when Chinese students travel overseas for study. Friends and uni mates are the new family and community here – the idea is to be together on important days, to have a reunion regardless of how busy daily lives may get.

Apart from gathering and games, some will worship the Gods they believe in, honour ancestors by visiting and cleaning their graves, wishing for blessings and guidance.

Celebrating as a student in the UK – Elena’s experience

Elena, our customer service advisor at Cornerhouse, who is about to graduate from university with her postgraduate degree, spent an afternoon with our Marketing Team members, teaching them how to wrap dumplings. She shared her experience celebrating Winter Solstice at home and in the UK:

“Back in China, my family will gather together to cook a meal and honour ancestors together. I made dumplings of funny shapes like the sun or mice.

“As a student here, I hang up red lanterns with my friends to bring festival atmosphere. We also make dumplings together. And put pure hot chilli filling in one dumpling to see who gets the luck. Let the aroma of freshly made dumplings fill homes and celebrate the return of the warmth of spring.”

Want to see more of Elena's Winter Solstice experience? Watch Elena's video on Instagram.

Activities at Student Roost properties

Over the Winter Solstice and Christmas period, a lot of international students choose to stay with us in their student accommodation rather than going home. As a result, our property teams will be hosting different activities to celebrate, such as boardgames, mahjong, karaoke nights, some with traditional Chinese snacks and drinks provided. Are you a resident at one of our properties? Don’t forget to check our social calendar to find out the events that are coming up!

Last but not least, the Student Roost team wish you a Happy Winter Solstice!