Watching Christmas movies is a popular tradition for most families around Christmas time.
The most wonderful time of the year, Christmas, has many traditions that date back hundreds of years. Every family celebrates Christmas differently, as many of the traditions are influenced by local culture. There are several different Christmas traditions, beginning with decorating the home. People put up little decorations around the house, LED lights outside, and often put up a big Christmas tree with ornaments, as well as smaller decorations outside. Advent calendars are another Christmas tradition that are commonplace in America. Advent calendars are Christmas themed calendars of the December month that have little pieces of chocolate, beautiful pictures or other small treats behind each door. Making a Christmas list of desired gifts is also a Christmas tradition for many families. Kids make lists of all the toys they want and give that list to ‘Santa’ in the form of a letter. Making a gingerbread house is another Christmas activity aimed to entertain children. People buy gingerbread house kits at the store, and then make gingerbread houses with icing, gingerbread, and little candies. A less common Christmas tradition is one called ‘Hide the Pickle’, where a family hides a pickle on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas day the first one who finds the pickle gets a money reward. Christmas family movie night is also a very common Christmas tradition. Whether it’s Home Alone, The Polar Express, or The Grinch, there are plenty of Christmas movies out there to raise everyone’s spirits. Colby Hurt, a junior at Lafayette High School reports that her family keeps things pretty simple, and just opens up gifts on Christmas Morning.
The Christmas tree illuminates the dark with its glistening lights on Christmas Eve.
Gift exchanges are another Christmas activity. These take place with many people exchanging gifts multiple times, not knowing what gifts they have. LHS Senior Lucas Elder, has a very unique Christmas tradition: instead of opening presents on Christmas day, his opens them during midnight on Christmas Eve.
Christmas caroling isn’t a very common tradition any more, but it used to be a big part of Christmas season. Historically people would host parties, and then have all the guests go door to door in their neighborhood, singing Christmas themed songs.
Going to church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day is a very common tradition among families, and on Christmas Eve itself there are many traditions. One of them is leave milk and cookies out for ‘Santa’ as a courtesy and grateful gesture in thanks for the gifts he will leave. Another tradition on Christmas Eve is to sprinkle rain deer dust outside in preparation for ‘Santa’ to come. Listening to Christmas music is also a very common Christmas tradition, whether it’s at home or in the car while driving, since Christmas music spreads a positive vibe all around. Decorating the tree with ornaments is a very common Christmas tradition as well. Eating ethnic Christmas food and beverages is also popular on Christmas Day. These might include gingerbread, cookies, ham, corn, and candy cane are some good Christmas foods. Beverages include hot chocolate, apple cider, and egg nog. Drew Ramos, a junior at Lafayette High School, said he goes to his neighbor’s house to party on Christmas Eve, and reads “The Night Before Christmas” there, he also opens presents and watches Christmas shows.
During Christmas season, many families put up Christmas decorations on their house to resemble icicles.
Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of Christianity, and December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. However, the middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a reliable supply of fresh meat. Every year, millions of people celebrate the Christmas traditions and culture passed on throughout history.
The scent of pine during Christmas time is one of the most welcoming smells.
