By Emily Huizenga

News Correspondent

From live music to culinary decorating to alternative bar hopping, The News has gathered a list of seasonal happenings for everyone.

Gingerbread House Competition

Northeastern has its own gingerbread city, assembled every holiday season using 700 pounds of gingerbread, 1,200 pounds of icing and 2,000 pounds of candy. This year’s 11th Annual Gingerbread House Construction Competition starts at 3 p.m. today in the Stetson East Dining Hall. Sixty-five students will be randomly selected from a pool of online applicants, they can compete alone or with a friend.
“One of the best aspects of this is event is that next week, after all the houses have been decorated and voted for, they’ll be brought down to Rosie’s Place and the Pine Street Inn – both homeless shelters,” Deb Fantasia, marketing director of Chartwells, said. “It is such a rewarding experience to see those less fortunate have some cheer for the holidays. Plus, I personally love seeing all of the students get so excited about the actual decorations and planning – and eating the myriad of candies.”
The finished houses will be on display in Xhibition Kitchen Friday, Dec. 9 and Monday, Dec. 12. Voters will determine first, second and third place winners who will take home cash prizes.

Entrepreneur Holiday Fair

You can only buy so many Christmas gifts online. Northeastern’s first annual Entrepreneur Holiday Fair offers an excellent alternative: An event showcasing unique goods with the added bonus of supporting Northeastern students and their companies in the process. The sale will feature several NU innovations including original t-shirts, custom cakes and Njabini Apparel, featuring products from an organization started by fourth year business student Michael Behan which employs disadvantaged mothers in Njabini, Kenya.
“You can buy something good while doing good,” Tracey Dodenhoff, director of the Center for Innovation, said. “Nine times out of ten you’ll find something that has deeper meaning, because a main goal for these entrepreneurs is to have an impact – to do something bigger than themselves.”
The fair is tomorrow from 12-2 p.m. in Curry Student Center.

SSRun (Santa Speedo Run)

Romping around the city in shamelessly stark outfits is not a new concept to Northeastern students (think underwear run). Undergarment enthusiasts listen up: The 11th annual SSRun, formerly known as the Santa Speedo Run, is happening Saturday, Dec. 10. It starts and ends at the Lir Tavern on Boylston Street. What started as five men running down Newbury Street in holiday Speedos has now evolved into 500 participants swarming downtown Boston in all sorts of festive skivvies (sorry, no thongs allowed). Capacity for registered runners is filled, but many people venture out just to watch the event, which raises money for the local non-profit Play Ball Foundation.

Sexy Santa Pub Crawl

For the 21+ crowd, holiday beverages are no longer limited to the sparkling ciders and spiked eggnog. Those legally allowed to experience those particular festivities should check out Boston Event Guide’s annual Sexy Santa Pub Crawl, happening Saturday, Dec. 10 in downtown Boston. The event’s website encourages attendees to dress in their best sexy Santa outfit, ugly sweater or Christmas speedo, and gear up to “ho-ho-ho” their way through popular bars in the Faneuil Hall area. Tickets are $20 and include a t-shirt, wristband for free cover charges and access to drink specials ranging from $1.75 to $3 at each bar. Online registration is required and day-of registration is from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The madness goes from 2 to 8 p.m.

Unisons Winter Concert

“The UniSons are the newest, freshest and most manly acappella group on campus,” junior mechanical engineering major Ryan Wexler, president of the UniSons, said. “We pride ourselves on our fun performances and reinventing the audience’s favorite songs, all while wearing absolutely ridiculous clothing. For this concert, we will be dressing up as Christmas trees and other assorted holiday items – think presents, Menorahs, etc.”
The show, featuring covers of Muse, Billy Joel, Fall Out Boy and much more, will take place in afterHOURS Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. The UniSons have invited special guests the BU Sweethearts, Suffolk Ramifications and Wheaton Whims to perform as well.

Rockin’ Holiday Flea Market & Bloody Mary Bash

Cambridge’s TT the Bear’s Place will feature unique and inexpensive last-minute gift items Sunday for Christmas at its Rockin’ Holiday Flea Market & Bloody Mary Bash (Bad Santa Edition). Over 25 vendors will be attending, offering tons of vintage clothing and collectibles, music memorabilia, rare vinyl records, and jewelry.
“Since it’s a music venue, we have two pool tables, a DJ spinning tasty tunes all day, a full bar for those over 21, TVs, video games, picture opportunities with ‘Bad Santa,’ $2 hotdogs and a fun community atmosphere,” said Cherryl Hanson, the event’s organizer. “At the last flea market we even had two classic motorcycles for sale, so you never know what you’ll find.”
Doors open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 4 p.m. with free admission for all ages.

NU Unplugged Christmas Show

NU Unplugged has showcased Northeastern’s amazing acoustic talent all semester, and plans to finish the season strong with a festive Christmas show this Monday, Dec. 12 in afterHOURS. Musicians Ryan La Sala, Katie McKenna, Ben Mallare, Renee Pelletier, Dan Harcourt, Lindsay Donald  and Ryan Sweezey will be spreading holiday cheer through performances of merry Christmas classics, all done in a cozy cafe setting. The event runs from 8 to 11 p.m. and is free for all attendees. As the event’s Facebook page suggests, “don your Mrs. Claus suit, bring all your enchanted reindeer, stuff yourself into those wool stockings, and come check out the awesome talent.”