Winter is a time for people to unite and celebrate the holidays that are special to them. Christmas is widely celebrated and people commemorate it in various ways depending on their culture or what part of the world they live in. Many people put up green, red, white, and gold decorations and a glowing Christmas tree to get in the holiday spirit. With Christmas approaching so quickly, people have undoubtedly been going shopping and secretly wrapping gifts to put under the tree. Besides gift-giving, there are many other traditions throughout December.

Marley Madden, a freshman at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) said, “Every year on Christmas Eve, my family and I make pizzas together.”  

Food is a huge part of winter holidays because it connects people’s cultures. Christmas is a time for family and friends to relax and enjoy a break from school and sports, but it’s also a break for one’s mental health.

Saint Nicholas Day

Although Christmas is the most common way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in America, other parts of the world have their traditions.

Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on Dec. 6 in France, where kids lay out their shoes to receive treats or fruit inside. On Christmas Eve, they hold Midnight Mass which celebrates the birth of Christ and everyone goes to church, then returns home for a midnight feast. At the feast, they have Bûche de Noël, a rolled chocolate cake that celebrates the burning of the Yule log, which symbolizes a warm spring is coming. Additionally, the adults open their presents on Christmas morning before the children.

Las Posadas

Another holiday, Las Posadas, is celebrated between Dec. 16-24 in Mexico to honor Joseph and Mary’s journey in search of a haven for the birth of Jesus. This holiday includes an engaging festivity where children dressed in robes lead a procession throughout the town while carrying candles and listening to traditional music.

One Spanish teacher at HBHS, Lorenda Adame, recalled what Las Posadas was like when she lived in Mexico. She said, “We would gather at the center of the town…[and] start a pilgrimage to a home, with candles, and we would sing traditional Las Posadas songs.”

During the march, every house except for one turns away the children when they knock on their doors, and at each house, the children sing beautiful carols and read passages from the scriptures. The house that welcomes the children lets them stay and rest.

“You go and knock on different homes, asking for lodging, and they say ‘No you can’t stay here,’ but it has already been arranged that there is one home that’s going to receive the group of people and feed them for the night and give them lodging and let them rest,” Adame said.

To conclude the Mexican tradition, mass is held, where children get to break open piñatas filled with candy and toys after the service.

Hanukkah

Although Christianity makes up 70.6% of America, other religions, such as Judaism and Buddhism, hold significant ground as religions in America, so it is important to take note of the winter holidays they celebrate.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday lasting for eight days and typically lands in December, but can change based on the year. There are eight candles on a menorah and each candle gets lit each night to honor the miracle that occurred when the Jews reclaimed their temple from King Antiochus. 

The story goes that after taking back the temple, the Jews had a rededication ceremony, but there was only enough oil to light a candle for one day. However, the candle lasted eight days, hence, eight candles are lit on the menorah during Hanukkah. 

Eden Swindermen, a grade 9 student at HBHS said, “One of the eight nights my family and I get together to celebrate Hanukkah.”

Aside from lighting candles and holding family gatherings, this religion celebrates Hanukkah by giving the children gifts each night, and on the last night of Hanukkah, families gather to eat food like jelly donuts and play games like dreidel. Dreidel is played with a spinning top which determines how much one is rewarded from a pot of sweet treats or coins.

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that takes place during winter time. Also known as Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, this event takes place on Dec. 8 to commemorate when Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is mainly celebrated in East Asia, where Buddhists decorate trees, altars and temples with lights to symbolize Buddha’s enlightenment. Trees are significant because Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree during his awakening. Additionally, people pray, read scriptures and engage in acts of kindness to remember Buddha’s teachings. Food is also a major part of this holiday. Many families eat a traditional meal called Laba congee, which is composed of rice, milk and lamb. 

Overall, winter is a great time to get together with family and enjoy food, games and holiday traditions no matter how you celebrate. Getting presents or treats may be exciting, but the time spent with family is worth much more than any gift.