Begin the holiday festivities with The University of New Mexico’s annual “Hanging of the Greens,” a merry Lobo tradition of community caroling amidst the glow of more than 14,000 luminarias.
The UNM Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society invites the entire community to attend the University’s oldest student tradition on Friday, Dec. 1. Caroling will begin at 5:45 p.m. at the UNM Bookstore. The UNM Bookstore hosts its annual holiday sales event Dec. 1.
The caroling route will make its way first to University House for the presentation of a holiday wreath to Interim President Chaouki Abdallah and his wife, Catherine. Caroling ends at Hodgin Hall for the President’s Reception and a special lighting of the “U” statue beginning from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Also, this year, attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped children’s books to place under the tree at Hodgin Hall. The books will later be donated to UNM Children’s hospital.
“Hanging of the Greens” has been a UNM tradition since Lena C. Clauve, former UNM student and UNM Dean of Women, began it in the 1930s. The tradition began with students driving to the Sandia Mountains, where they would gather greenery, which they used to decorate the Student Union Building.
The Mortar Board now provides student organizations with the sand, bags and candles to construct luminarias, which are set in walkways, doorways, rooftops and walls across campus. The luminarias will remain on display until noon Saturday, Dec. 2. The public is welcomed to pickup and take home luminarias Saturday morning.
For more information on the Hanging of the Greens, contact the Student Activities Center at 277-4706.