"From a holiday invented by yourself to ice skating on Christmas Eve, the holiday season is full of different fun traditions from all around the world."
-Milo Trejo
The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of winter is Santa Claus, caroling, lots of food, and a tree with different decorated ornaments. To many people, though, the traditional Christmas is a thing of the past.
Joaquin Montes De Oca, a 6th grader, in Literary Arts has gone so far as to create his own winter holiday called ghouhllihdhaeyee(hol-ee-day). Montes De Oca says ghouhllihdhaeyee is basically a non-religious version of the traditional American Christmas. While some people may find this unique and different holiday strange, Montes De Oca says he used to “feel forced to celebrate the traditional holidays” before he invented ghouhllihdhaeyee, and that he feels that “it’s an open outlet to celebrate the traditional presents and tree without the religious part.”
Joaquin Montes De Oca, a 6th grader, in Literary Arts has gone so far as to create his own winter holiday called ghouhllihdhaeyee(hol-ee-day). Montes De Oca says ghouhllihdhaeyee is basically a non-religious version of the traditional American Christmas. While some people may find this unique and different holiday strange, Montes De Oca says he used to “feel forced to celebrate the traditional holidays” before he invented ghouhllihdhaeyee, and that he feels that “it’s an open outlet to celebrate the traditional presents and tree without the religious part.”
Another student is Shayna Barzell-Weber, who is in 8th-grade Literary Arts. Her family celebrates not only Hanukkah but also Christmas. When asked if there is a story behind why she celebrates two holidays, Barzell-Weber answered,“No not really, cause my mom that’s not Jewish grew up celebrating Christmas and my other mom grew up celebrating Hanukkah.” And even though when asked the question if she feels forced to celebrate Christmas and/or Hanukkah she responded,No I mean I would like to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah but if I had to choose one I would pick Hanukkah because it’s more religious.”
Every year Barzell-Weber makes latkes and cuts down a tree, and her moms make a lot of food. I then switched into a more controversial topic: Do you think OSA represents the holiday you celebrate enough? Barzell-Weber answered with a reasonable and well thought out opinion: “I mean I don’t think OSA really celebrates any holidays that much but it is a little annoying that we get two weeks off for Christmas and New Year but you don’t get any of Hanukkah off, just a little annoying just a little.”
We then took a look into the mind of Ciena Brooks, a 7th-grade Visual Arts student. Brooks celebrates two holidays as well. Kwanzaa and Christmas. Like many people, Brooks enjoys both holidays she celebrates with a passion. One of her favorite holiday traditions is ice skating on Christmas Eve.
“I like it because I enjoy ice skating and speed skating is fun and you get to go fast,” Brooks said.“I love Christmas and Kwanzaa, but with Kwanzaa, you only get one present and it has to be educational, like a book or calculator. I do still like Kwanzaa though and like the fact that it’s part of my culture.”
When asked if she thought OSA represented Kwanzaa enough, Brooks answer strayed away from what most interviewees answered. She said that “I don’t feel that OSA represents my holiday enough, cause I kinda don’t feel connected.”
My last interviewee was Naia Arad, a 6th grader in Fashion Design who celebrates Hanukkah, says otherwise. “ I mean they don’t really even represent other holidays in my opinion, but they….. like the majority at this school mostly celebrate Christmas, but I haven’t really seen OSA disrespect someone’s holiday or do things that shouldn’t be.”
Arad enjoys Hanukkah very much but drew many blanks and had to rack her brain to think of Hanukkah tradition. Finally, she said “me and my moms always stay home and there are eight nights of Hanukkah so there’s like eight night of presents which is really nice. I mean we don’t really have a tradition like we always have a Hanukkah party and invite friends so I guess that’s a tradition.” Arad also enjoys making sufganiyah with her moms. Sufganiyah is a deep fried piece of sweet bread filled with jelly and sprinkled with sugar.
“I like it because I enjoy ice skating and speed skating is fun and you get to go fast,” Brooks said.“I love Christmas and Kwanzaa, but with Kwanzaa, you only get one present and it has to be educational, like a book or calculator. I do still like Kwanzaa though and like the fact that it’s part of my culture.”
When asked if she thought OSA represented Kwanzaa enough, Brooks answer strayed away from what most interviewees answered. She said that “I don’t feel that OSA represents my holiday enough, cause I kinda don’t feel connected.”
My last interviewee was Naia Arad, a 6th grader in Fashion Design who celebrates Hanukkah, says otherwise. “ I mean they don’t really even represent other holidays in my opinion, but they….. like the majority at this school mostly celebrate Christmas, but I haven’t really seen OSA disrespect someone’s holiday or do things that shouldn’t be.”
Arad enjoys Hanukkah very much but drew many blanks and had to rack her brain to think of Hanukkah tradition. Finally, she said “me and my moms always stay home and there are eight nights of Hanukkah so there’s like eight night of presents which is really nice. I mean we don’t really have a tradition like we always have a Hanukkah party and invite friends so I guess that’s a tradition.” Arad also enjoys making sufganiyah with her moms. Sufganiyah is a deep fried piece of sweet bread filled with jelly and sprinkled with sugar.
All in all, there are many different traditions than that of the stereotypical cookie-cutter mold of a family sitting around a Christmas tree preying and opening presents. From a holiday invented by yourself to ice skating on Christmas Eve, the holiday season is full of different fun traditions from all around the world.
