As the month of December rolls in, decorations begin to fill stores, holiday music plays on the radio, and students count down the days until winter break. Although many individuals associate the month of December with Christmas, it is not the only holiday celebrated this time of year. During the month of December, many holidays are celebrated, and with that, they each have their own special meanings and traditions.
Christmas, which is widely celebrated on December 25, is a religious holiday and can be recognized as Jesus’ birthday. For many religious people, Christmas is celebrated by attending church services and celebrating the life of Jesus Christ. Over the years, Christmas has grown beyond its religious roots and is now celebrated by people of many backgrounds, emphasizing themes of generosity, family, and kindness. Many families celebrate by decorating a Christmas tree, spending quality time together as a family, and giving gifts to loved ones. Senior Marco Tonucci claims that “Christmas is more than just gifts; it is about the celebration of love and happiness with family and friends.”
Another holiday celebrated during this time of year is Hanukkah, which usually takes place during late November and early December, depending on the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah is widely known as an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of oil lasting eight days. Every night, family members gather around a menorah and light a candle every night for eight days. Families celebrate the holiday by eating traditional foods such as latkes. Senior Madison Goldstein claimed that during Hanukkah, her family gives her one present each of the eight days to open.
Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is a cultural holiday that honors African American traditions and heritage. This holiday is centered around seven principles: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Families celebrate by lighting candles on a kinara (similar to a menorah). Kwanzaa is a primarily cultural celebration which encourages those seven principals in a community.
St. Nicholas Day, which honors him as a historical figure known for spreading kindness and generosity, is celebrated on December 6. . This holiday is traditionally celebrated in Europe where children leave shoes outside their doors to be filled with small gifts and candy.
Las Posadas is a tradition celebrated widely in Mexico and many other Hispanic cultures during the days leading up to Christmas. Las Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Jesus’ birth. Communities participate in nightly processions, songs, prayers, and gatherings that often end with food and celebrations. This tradition emphasizes hospitality, faith, and togetherness.
Another religious holiday is the winter solstice which typically occurs December 21 or 22. The solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Many ancient cultures took this winter solstice as symbolism for longer days, meaning the renewal of light. In modern times, people celebrate with candles and nature-based traditions.
Another holiday celebrated during December and January is New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. New Year’s marks the end of one year and celebrates the start of new beginnings with new goals. Most common celebrations are counting down to midnight, watching the ball drop in Times Square, and gathering with friends and family to celebrate. Many people also make New Year’s resolutions, setting personal goals for the year ahead. Junior Antonia Stefano says “I enjoy spending New Year’s Eve with my friends and celebrating New Year’s Day with my family, so I get the best of both worlds.”
Different cultures celebrate New Year’s in different ways. In the United States, the dropping of the ball in New York City is very famous and is a widely-watched tradition by millions of people. People gather around the ball watching and waiting for the countdown to celebrate. In Spain and different parts of Latin America, people each eat twelve grapes at midnight, meaning one grape for each month of the year to bring good luck. In Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is celebrated a couple weeks later with festivals and family gatherings emphasizing renewal.
Although each holiday is different with different practices and celebrations, they all share themes of love, hope, and family coming together to share the love of each other. At Waterford High, many students celebrate different holidays. By learning about all these different holidays, we can appreciate and celebrate different cultures as well.
