As the Associated Students of New Mexico State University plan their Holiday Extravaganza event, NMSU Dining Services host competitions to lead up to it. 

Many changes have had to happen this year with the current pandemic and then even more so with the state’s shut-down order. However, many organizations are still trying to help students reduce the end of semester stress. 

“These events are focused on students and are in place to provide a bit of a “stress buster” as finals are coming up,” NMSU Dining Services Director of Marketing Candice Nanco said. 

The events NMSU Dining Services are hosting are competitions. The first started on Monday, Nov. 16 when Dining Services handed out make-your-own snowman kits.  

Students have until Nov. 23 to submit their snowman picture to Instagram and tag NMSU Dining Services. Until Nov. 24 there is also a “caption the photo” contest on their Instagram page. The post, or comment, with the most likes or comments, will win, Nanco said. 

“There will be prizes of unspeakable value. Brand new backpacks filled with swag items to include contactless keychains, reusable straws, pop sockets, sunglasses, candy and more,” Nanco said. 

Nanco said that due to COVID-19 they had to cancel their Late Night Breakfast event. 

“We usually host our annual Late Night Breakfast event in collaboration with CCSU Programming, ASNMSU and Student Activities. We wanted to keep the tradition alive during these unprecedented times and hosting virtual contests became the best way to do that,” Nanco said. “Due to the NM Governors new health order, we have canceled our in-person Movie Under the Stars event and are moving forward with our virtual contests. We are providing the materials for the contests, but in a to-go format that allows for students to make their creations in their [homes].” 

Although the state shutting down has made it harder, ASNMSU is still planning to have the Holiday Extravaganza event for students to enjoy while being safe. 

“Usually this would be our Noche de Luminarias event that is open to the Las Cruces community as well. But due to COVID we definitely had to downsize. In the initial planning for this event, we were looking at doing the movie as well as lightning luminarias for students, as well as several give-away items,” ASNMSU Director of Activities Delaney Kast said. 

Now, the plan is to have a Netflix watch party, but everything else is put on hold until it is safe to do. In addition to giving out hot chocolate kits and customized paint kits, Kast said they will give those out for the next in-person event, but she does not know when that will be. 

“That way we are also promoting being COVID friendly through following those mandates ourselves and not just telling other people to do it,” Kast said. 

Kast said they will be using the ASNMSU social media as well as the Student Hotline to inform students about the events.