Reubie the Red-Nose Reindeer!

By Puravi Panda (@oxfordingmyway)

Hiya! I'm back again with yet another blog about life at Reuben College – Oxmas this time!! Oxmas is Oxford’s version of Christmas, celebrated on November 25th, giving students the chance to enjoy the festive cheer before everyone goes home for the end of term. Most colleges have evensongs and Oxmas formals, and some even organise carol singing. Reuben, of course, joined in the festivities for the first time ever last year with its Oxmas extravaganza at the newly built college site, spreading Christmas cheer throughout November and December. Here’s a rundown of how we celebrated:

Secret Santa

Each year, the Graduate Common Room (GCR) organises a Secret Santa gift exchange, where we buy presents for a peer without revealing our identity. This was my second year participating, and I loved every bit of it. We all create wish lists of items we'd like to receive, and then each person buys a gift for their assigned buddy based on either their wish list or their hobbies and interests. Though I didn’t know my buddy personally, I thought a Christmassy candle would be a fitting gift based on her description.

On the day of the event, we gathered around the Christmas tree in the common room, warming our hands with mulled wine and indulging in mince pies and yule log cake. Last year, our bursar, Stephen Purbrick, dressed up as Santa and paid us a visit, which was a huge hit. Unfortunately, this year, Stephen couldn’t make it because, as he explained, “one of his reindeers had injured their antlers!” But we still had plenty of festive cheer, with Christmas jingles playing in the background as we picked up our gifts. My gift was a gingerbread-shaped candle, which smelled delightful—and I can’t wait to use it later this year!

Carol Singing

For the first time in Reuben's history, we hosted a carol singing session at our grand staircase, which leads up to the Dining Hall and Library. The Reuben Choir, composed of students and staff, led the singing, and participants were given lyric sheets for classic hits like "Joy to the World" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful," along with a candle. Though I don’t celebrate Christmas religiously, I really enjoyed the event.

The entire staircase was decorated with beautiful Christmas ornaments, and it was by far one of my most cherished memories at Reuben. The warm glow of the candles lit up the entire stairway, while the carols echoed across all three floors, creating a cozy and sentimental atmosphere. Students, staff, fellows, and even families joined in, making it a collective Christmas tradition at Reuben.

Christmas Formal Hall

After the carol singing, we headed to a Christmas-themed Formal Hall. The Dining Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland, with a stunning Christmas tree adorned with Reubie – our very own Reuben teddy – and Christmas crackers lining every plate. Not to be biased, but Reuben really outdid itself with the décor!

As always, the food was fantastic, with all the Christmas favourites: hearty soup, turkey, and of course, Christmas pudding. (Though, I’ll admit, Christmas pudding is definitely one of those love-it-or-hate-it dishes – maybe more on that later!)

I had an amazing time celebrating Oxmas with my fellow Reubenites, and I can’t wait for you to experience it too – whether by being a Reubenite or a guest of one!