The moment the clock strikes twelve on Dec. 1, Christmas cheer fills the air. Storefronts are stocked to the brim with presents, the overwhelming scent of cinnamon wafts through bakeries, and ASB plans Christmas themed events to boost school spirit. Christmas has always been in the limelight, but what are festivities like for people who celebrate other holidays during the winter?
Many students celebrate other cultural or religious holidays during winter break, such as Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday celebrated annually for eight days during December. It commemorates a historical event from 139 BCE in which a menorah (a nine branched candle holder) lit by Jewish freedom fighters burned for eight days despite only containing enough oil for one day, according to Chabad, a Jewish organization.
Senior Yael Shpits recalled Hanukkah as a time to gather with a community of friends and family. She frequently enjoys traditional potato pancakes, also known as “latkes”, on the holiday.
“When I was younger, and before COVID, I used to go to a synagogue on one of the days of Hanukkah, and I would be helping in the kitchen,” said Shpits. “I would peel the potatoes and shred them, it was a huge event, so I would help serve all the people in the dining hall.”
Another commonly celebrated winter holiday is Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, which begins Jan. 22, 2023 and continues for two weeks. During this time, families gather together to celebrate the arrival of a new year by lighting paper lanterns, exchanging money filled envelopes, and eating traditional foods such as jau gok (half-moon dumplings), according to National Geographic.
For senior Thi Nguyen, Lunar New Year is spent within her family’s company.
“Me and my family go to the Century Mall, and I go with my whole family, including my aunts and cousins. It’s a huge thing that we all get together for and they give red envelopes filled with money,” Nguyen said. “There’s also a dragon dance. That one happens every single year and we always watch it.”
Dragon dances are performed during Lunar New Year and are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, according to “Dragons and the Dragon Dance” by NationsOnline. Dancers control an elaborately decorated dragon costume using poles from underneath the costume.
Other students don’t celebrate any winter holidays, but that doesn’t make their break any less meaningful.
Junior Maryam Mohamed partakes in winter festivities such as ice skating and vacationing with her family to Lake Tahoe, she said.
“I don’t feel like I’m missing out because I’m still with my loved ones even if I’m not celebrating what everybody else is celebrating,” Mohamed said.
Winter break is a time to enjoy time together with family, even if that time isn’t spent celebrating Christmas, she said.
Whether the holiday season means engaging in cultural festivities or just a well needed break from school, being able to gather with loved ones during the winter time is what makes this time of year special.