Holiday Traditions
The holiday season is a time of celebrating with family and friends, upholding traditions, and creating lasting memories. It is, without a doubt, filled with the joy and happiness that makes the holidays such a beloved time for everyone. Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in America. Families often decorate their homes with lights, Christmas trees, and stockings by the fireplace. Many people attend Christmas Eve church services, exchange gifts, and enjoy meals with loved ones. Some major cities host light shows, pop up markets, and parades that truly capture the magic of the season. This is also a perfect opportunity to participate in toy drives, volunteer at shelters, and spread kindness throughout your community.
In addition to Christmas, America is home to many other holidays in December. These holidays include cultural practices and traditions passed down through many generations. Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, by lighting a menorah, playing dreidel and eating foods like latkes and challah. Some African American families observe Kwanzaa by lighting a kinara candle, honoring their ancestors, and sharing traditional meals with family. Each person has a different way of celebrating this festive time of the year and of bringing their own personal touch to it. It is the unique traditions that make the spirit of the holidays so vibrant and special to all of us. There is no better way to discover different traditions than by talking to our own North Hills students and staff. They shared with me how they celebrate the holiday season with their families!
Lillie and Aidan Allen- Every year on Christmas Eve our parents make us a box for after we get home from church. It’s usually the same every year and it always has Christmas pajamas, snacks, candy, holiday movies and fuzzy socks. It is by far our favorite tradition and it is so special to us.
Tyler Myers- I make cookies with my Grandma on Christmas Eve.
Maddy Morris- My family and I go to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our own tree every year. I love running with my dog through the trees while we all try to find the perfect one for our home.
Kiera Flanigan- A week before Christmas my family and I go to my cousins house. When we get there all of my cousins and I play Christmas games and win prizes like gift cards and lottery tickets.
We also make reindeer food by mixing oats and glitter. On Christmas Eve, my siblings and I go outside and sprinkle the reindeer food in my front yard. The best part of the holidays is getting to spend time with my family!
Mr. Hoza- I love putting stockings up for Saint Nick’s Day and I always make sure to give something to my dog. I am Ukrainian Orthodox so we celebrate Christmas on January 7th by going to church but we open presents on December 25th.
Mr. Cloonan- I take the North Hills Singers to the retired teacher luncheon at Shannopin Country Club to perform various holiday songs. It is great to catch up with people I worked with in the past and show off the talent of my students.
