Happy Holidays! We are so excited you will be staying with us over the Winter Break. Below you find information regarding programming we have in store for the duration of the break! We hope you're able to meet other students who are staying in residence and feel supported.
Check out our Winter Break Guide here. Find out who are Winter Dons are below!
Need Mental Health Support over the break? Click here to learn about resources available to you!
Programming Calendar
Click below for PDF version of the Winter Break Programming Schedule:
| Title | Date & Time | Location | Description | Sign Up Link (if needed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hart House Winter Solstice Dinner | Dec 21, 2023 3:00-8:00 PM | Meet in front of OPH @ 3:00 PM Hart House | Join Hart House and the University of Toronto for a casual and spirited Winter Solstice Dinner at the Arbor Room. Despite the sun being at its lowest, our spirits remain high as we welcome students to register and enjoy a warm night of laughs, community, and Middle Eastern fare from Zaad. Feel free to come in comfortable attire and participate in button-making with Hart House Student Ambassadors or play board games. While there's no formal schedule, we ask you to commit your time upon registration, and seats are limited, so please register by Monday, December 18. | Click here to sign-up |
| Noodles and Games | Dec 22, 2023
| OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Come to Noodles & Games, where fun meets flavor! Join us for a laid-back evening of board games, relaxed vibes, and delicious cup noodles, creating the perfect recipe for a memorable night out with friends. | N/A |
| Paint with Bob Ross | Dec 23, 2023 6:00-8:00 PM
| OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Unleash your inner artist and immerse yourself in the therapeutic world of painting on canvases at Paint with Bob Ross. Follow along with soothing Bob Ross tutorials, and let your creativity flow in a tranquil and inspiring environment. | N/A |
| Gingerbread & Greetings | Dec 25, 2023 3:00-5:00 PM | OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Indulge in festive creativity at Gingerbread & Greetings. Join us for an enchanting experience of gingerbread decorating and holiday card making, where sweet treats meet heartfelt greetings for a joyous and crafty celebration. | N/A |
| Holiday Movie Night | Dec 27, 2023 6:30-8:30 PM | OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Experience an evening of cinematic delight at Holiday Movie Night, featuring a screening of a popular holiday movie (hint: 🚊❄️🎅🏻) paired with a selection of movie night snacks. | N/A |
| New Bracelets, New Friends | Dec 29, 2023 3:00-5:00 PM | OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Relax with friends at New Bracelets, New Friends, where you can casually make friendship bracelets while enjoying snacks and music in a laid-back setting. | N/A |
| Wreath Making Crafts Night | Dec 30, 2023 2:00-4:00 PM | OPH 6th Floor Common Room | Discover the joy of crafting at the Wreath Making Crafts Night, where we provide a warm and inviting space for making charming holiday wreaths. Join us in a creative atmosphere, perfect for crafting beautiful seasonal decorations and sharing the festive spirit. | N/A |
| In My New Era | Jan 1, 2024 5:00-7:00 PM | RH Lobby | Join us at In My New Era for a creative evening of holiday letter writing, vision board decoration, and interactive games. Enjoy a Mocktails & Dessert station, featuring a variety of refreshing drinks and sweet treats. Capture the memories at our Photobooth and unwind with DIY Diffuser Bottles, making your own based on provided instructions. | N/A |
Meet the Winter Dons
Our Winter Dons are so excited to meet and connect with all of you during the break. We have gathered some facts about them to give you a quick introduction! You'll see them more during our programming or around residence.
Meet Aisha
Hello everyone, my name is Aisha! I am in my fourth year studying Biology for Health Science and Psychology.
I am so excited for the new year. I hope that the winter break will be a chance for us all to recharge and prepare for the next semester. In my free time, I enjoy knitting and spending time with my cats. As a winter don, I will be present to provide support and facilitate community building over the break.
I will also be hosting the Noodles & Games event on December 22nd, from 5-7pm in OPH 6th Floor common room. I look forward to seeing you all there. Happy holidays!
Meet Ana
Hi friends! My name is Ana, I am in my third year in the Biotechnology Specialist and the Chemistry Major.
I am originally from Brazil and this year I am looking forward to experiencing the holidays in Canada! Over the Winter Break, I'm excited to learn new recipes and bake sweets! You'll also find me watching Season 5 of Gilmore Girls and reading non-fiction books :D
Stay tuned for our activities happening in Residence! On December 29th, I'll be in OPH 6th Floor, from 3:00-5:00pm for Friendship Bracelet Making! Join me for some music and snacks while making new bracelets for yourself and your friends!
Meet Ananya
Hello there! My name is Ananya Aditya, and I am currently a 4th year student in the Molecular Biology Specialist program with a Minor in Forensic Science.
Over the winter break, I am looking forward to resting and engaging in self-care activities after a hectic Fall semester and exam season. I absolutely love swimming, socializing with friends, watching horror and Bollywood movies, and listening to Bollywood music during my free time.
I am thrilled to be hosting Paint Night with Bob Ross which is happening on Saturday, December 23rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the OPH 6th floor Common Room. I hope to see you all there and I am genuinely excited to embark on this winter adventure with everyone!
Meet Aref
Hey Folks! I'm Aref, a fourth-year bio major, and I'll be one of your Winter Dons!
During the break, you'll find me diving into bad poetry, and experimenting with some new stew recipes; Any recommendations for must-read poems or tasty stew? I'm all ears!
Join me in a wreath-making workshop on December 30th at 2pm in the 6th floor OPH common room, I'd really love to see you there! come by and make something pretty (:
Meet Nafees
Hey everyone! My name is Nafees Hossain, and I am part of the Winter Don team. I am in my third year, specializing in Financial Economics.
During the break, I hope to just relax, watch and play some football (soccer). If you are staying in residence during the break, drop by some of the numerous events we have planned to keep you entertained and cozy during the end of 2023!
I will be hosting a Gingerbread and Holiday Cards Making social on December 25th, from 3:00-5:00 pm in the 6th Floor Common Room of OPH. Make sure to come by to do some crafting, while also celebrating Christmas!
Meet Salik
Season’s Greetings! My name is Salik Qureshi, and I am in my third year pursuing a double major in Economics and Political Science.
This is my second winter break on campus, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Winter Don team this year. We have a lot of fun activities planned for those of you who are staying on campus during the break. Aside from being a Winter Don, I am looking forward to relaxing, catching up on sleep and spending time with family and friends.
I will be hosting a holiday movie night on the December 27th from 6:30-8:30 pm in the OPH 6th floor common room! I’d love to see you all there. Happy Holidays!
Mental Health Support
As a UofT student, you have access to many mental health resources. We understand that this year is much different than most and many students may be struggling with mental health. Feel free to use any of the resources below or go to the UofT page regarding mental health: https://mentalhealth.utoronto.ca/
- U of T Telus Health Student Support (THSS, formerly U of T MySSP) provides U of T students with immediate and/or ongoing confidential, 24-hour support at no cost to you. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are. Their service is available in 35 languages. More information here: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/international/myssp
- Navi - Your U of T Resource Finder. Navi is a 24/7 Virtual Assistant that aims to help you anonymously and quickly find resources available. You can access it through ALL UTM websites or through this link: uoft.me/navi
- Good2Talk Student Helpline: 1-866-925-5454 is available 24/7 for post-secondary students to talk to a professional counsellor for support. Find out more: https://good2talk.ca/
- The Health and Counselling Centre is available for appointments through their website: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/health/health-counselling-centre. The Health and Counselling Centre will be closed for the winter holidays starting on December 21 to January 1 inclusively. Visit their Resources Page for information about nearby walk-in clinics and additional after-hours services.