The Spanish Interlatinx Club at CSU Stanislaus brought holiday cheer to campus with their Navidad Party, held on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Student Center 105. This festive event was open to the entire campus community and offered students and staff a chance to come together to celebrate the holiday season. The Navidad Party hosted a welcoming environment for everyone to connect, relax and celebrate together.
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Joselin Sanchez (middle) and other club members festively dressed up for the Navidad party.
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Attendees enjoyed their time at the event and making snow globes.
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Bringing the Campus Together
With finals around the corner, the Navidad Party’s goal was to help ease the stress of the season. Joselin Sanchez, a senior Spanish major and one of the club’s presidents, explained the purpose behind the event.
“We know finals are coming up, and it’s a stressful time for everyone. We wanted to bring students together, motivate them, and remind them that we’re almost at the finish line,” she said.
The event featured an array of festive activities, a large selection of food and colorful decorations, creating a lively atmosphere that encouraged cultural appreciation.
Festive Activities and Highlights
One of the most popular activities was crafting personalized snow globes. Alexa Diaz, a fifth-year Spanish major and the other president of the club shared her excitement.
“Building the snow globes was so much fun! I wish we had been a little more prepared—another glue gun would’ve been helpful,” she joked.
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Event-goers were encouraged to indulge in the amenities provided by the club such as fresh hot Costco pizza, and cans of cold Coca-Cola.
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Joshua Gonzalez with his drink as the event comes to an end.
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Guests enjoyed some complimentary pizza and Coca-Cola, which helped to keep the event enjoyable and fulfilling. Joshua Gonzalez, a sophomore and the club’s events coordinator, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the event.
“I loved everything—the planning, the decorations and the number of guests who showed up. It made all the work worth it,” he said.
A Cultural Celebration for All
While inspired by traditional Hispanic holiday celebrations like Posadas, the event was designed to be inclusive.
“In Mexican culture, Posadas are about coming together, but we wanted to adapt the idea to make it open to everyone,” Sanchez explained.
By focusing on community and cultural appreciation rather than religious traditions, the club sought to ensure that attendees from all backgrounds felt welcome.
The event highlighted aspects of Hispanic culture, including the importance of gathering as a community and sharing traditions in a modern and accessible way.
“You don’t have to be Hispanic or speak Spanish to join,” Sanchez emphasized. “We’re all about bringing people together from different backgrounds and creating meaningful connections,” Sanchez said.
Looking Ahead
The Spanish Interlatinx Club hopes to continue hosting events that celebrate Hispanic culture and encourage campus unity.
“I’m already planning more traditional Hispanic parties with music and food for the spring,” Diaz said.
Diaz also explained that the club will focus on fundraising to make these plans a reality.
For Sanchez, the most rewarding part of the Navidad Party was watching students connect with each other.
“It’s all about creating moments where students can meet, relax, and feel like they’re part of something bigger,” she said.
A Bright Future for the Spanish Interlatinx Club
The club’s leaders encourage all students and staff to join their events.
“We’re all about inclusivity and building community,” said Diaz.
The Spanish Interlatinx Club’s Instagram, @interlatinxs.csustan, is the best place to stay updated on upcoming events and activities.
Whether it’s crafting snow globes, sharing food, or simply spending time together, the Navidad Party was a popular success in celebrating the season and creating lasting memories on campus.
