Icing as mortar, gumdrops in lieu of doorknobs, pretzels forming windows panes, and graham crackers used like sheetrock.

Everything needed to make a gingerbread house, a traditional holiday treat.

But for some, Christmas food might not be what movies and commercials suggest.

Amanda Hemmer, a freshman in psychology and sociology, said her Christmas celebration consists of a customary Italian meal.

“My mom is Italian and Catholic from New York, so we eat a traditional multiple course Italian meal for Christmas and my dad bakes pies and cakes,” Hemmer said.

The multiple courses include antipasto, a meat course, a pasta course, a salad, and dessert, Hemmer said.

“We don’t have a turkey or anything, and we all prefer it that way,” Hemmer said.

Candace Sauve, a freshman in elementary education, said she also has a family Christmas practice.

“Usually we make eggnog and our favorite chocolate chip cookies, both from scratch,” she said. “Only the girls participate though, it’s just tradition!”

Anh Ha, a freshman in polymer and color chemistry, said two different cultures factor into her family’s Christmas fare.

“If we have an American dinner, some foods are ham, stuffing, corn, rolls, and turkey,” said Ha. “But we have duck for the Vietnamese culture and noodles called pho.”

According to Ha, family is a part of the celebration no matter what the cuisine.

“[Sometimes] we have a big meal with the family where all the moms get together and cook traditional Vietnamese food,” she said.