Heather Myers, first-year law student at a major southern California university, does not have time to work during the semester. Heather barely can keep up with the reading, study groups, tests, and relentless outlines; where could she possibly find time for a job? However, the price tag on law school sends most first year students into paroxysms, apoplexies, and fits of the vapours. Even with grants and loans, Heather must pay a great deal of money out of her own pocket.

Her answer to the financial crunch: "Christmas!" Heather smiles gleefully. Heather easily wraps her work schedule around her school semesters, working for a big catering company much in demand for holiday parties, galas, and feasts. "You would be amazed," she says somewhat breathless. "People’s holiday merriment means major money for school and me."

As soon as final exams end, Heather abandons all pretenses to being a lawyer and goes full-on into holiday hospitality mode. During the week before Christmas, she works three or four big parties each day and night. Putting the work into perspective, Heather makes two compelling points. "First," she asserts, "I make almost as much as a skilled litigator makes, and I just have to be nice to people." Continuing to her second point, Heather adds emphasis: "I am a long way from home, so the festivities make-up—almost—for not going home to see my family."

Heather outlines a few of the other perquisites: "Naturally, we eat what the guests eat, so we get to enjoy all of our holiday favorites. In fact," she confesses, "I hate to say it, but I get a little tired of prime rib and the traditional feast with all the trimmings." Continuing the bold-faced points on her outline, "The servers naturally host their own little parties after all the guests have gone home. I have made some lifelong friends during these holiday gigs. Like Heather, the majority of seasonal workers are college students, who do not mind giving up a few homespun comforts for the sake of a semester’s fees and incidentals. Heather points out that her co-workers include a medical student, two Ph.D. candidates, a music student from Julliard, and a soon-to-be-published novelist. "Company at least as distinguished as law school," she concludes.

Christmas appears recession-proof. In an economic slump, corporate executives may scale-back holiday festivities, but they never will cancel them. "We serve more chicken than filet mignon and lobster these days," Heather concedes. "But people still tip very generously. If anything, the recession has contributed to an increase in tips, because people feel more inclined to share."

Ask Heather what she’s doing for Christmas: "A brunch, a luncheon, and a four-course feast," she beams. "Merry gentlemen all day and night." Drawing the bottom line, Heather totes-up the take, "I make enough just on New Year’s Eve to pay for my spring semester’s books, parking permit, and maybe some new clothes.

"More than worth it. Nolo contendere. No contest."