Eliyahu Gasson | editor-in-chief

Sophomore accounting major Chrysanctus Obiakor celebrated New Year’s Eve like he does every year.

“It’s like Thanksgiving to us, so we give thanks that we made it through the year,” he said.

Obiakor moved to the United States with his family from Nigeria when he was nine years old. Their celebration involves preparing a massive batch of food — including Jollof rice, a tomato-based stew and fried plantains — that sustains the family from Christmas through New Year’s. This culinary marathon is “work intensive,” requiring hours in the kitchen and endless dishwashing, he said.

According to Elizabeth Nickrenz, an associate professor of psychology at Duquesne, the diversity of New Year’s tradition is unified by symbolism. For many students at Duquesne, the primary symbol of New Year’s is time with family.

In an era that Nickrenz described as “very individualistic,” some young adults still find comfort in family.

Dayman Petryshak, a junior biology major, moved to the United States from Ukraine when he was two years old. For him, New Year’s traditions are not about spectacle, but about “cultural appreciation” and respect for those who came before him.

“We don’t really make the New Year’s that big of a deal,” he said. “We just stay at home and celebrate with family … Mostly it’s just listening to the countdown and popping the champagne bottle at the right time.”

For Petryshak, the act is a gesture of respect “to the people who implemented that tradition” and a way “to keep it alive.”

For Xavier Cyrus, a sophomore business management major, the holiday carries dual significance. New Year’s Day is also his grandmother’s birthday, transforming the holiday into a celebration of her life.

“I spent that day with her. We went to a restaurant and made sure she had a wonderful day,” he said. “It’s special to me. I never want to take her for granted.”

Cyrus usually spends New Year’s Eve at his aunt’s. This year, he decided to spend a quieter evening at home with his younger sister. Still, the core intention remained the same: prioritizing family connection over the “crazy” parties often associated with the holiday.

Creating New Meaning

Nickrenz acknowledged that as society changes, traditions often go through “bottom up” evolutions. Modern constraints like living far from relatives have given rise to new forms of gathering, a popular form being “Friendsgiving.”

For those feeling disconnected from old traditions or looking to create new ones, Nickrenz advised focusing on intention.

“What is it you hunger for?” she said. “Are you looking to have a shared experience with others?”

Nickrenz suggests looking for personal symbols — specific foods, colors or images — that convey what the holiday means to you. Whether it’s a quiet evening with a sibling or an elaborate feast for the neighborhood, the “right” tradition is simply one that fulfills a person’s need for connection and meaning.

For Cyrus, the specific activity matters less than the people it is shared with.

“Never take what you have with your family for granted,” he said. “Make sure you cherish those moments you have with people because you don’t know how long you’ll have them for. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Eliyahu Gasson can be reached at gassone@duq.edu