There is a lingering chill in the air, frost settling on the grass fields and rooftops. From a distance one might mistake it as a layer of delicate snow. Autumn deepens into winter, night chases daylight until holiday decorations begin illuminating neighborhoods. For most, the arrival of the holidays is accompanied by feelings of nostalgia and eager anticipation for the celebrations to come. Whether it’s time for the family gingerbread bake-off, gift-giving, or enjoying latkes for Hanukkah, there are many traditions deeply embedded in families all across the Monte Vista campus.
Winter is usually regarded as a joyous time, but beneath the Uggs and fuzzy coats is something deeper: a connection to loved ones shared through tradition. Sometimes, it’s the simplicity of an age-old family recipe gracing the holiday dinner table each year, a familiar dish cooked with a grandmother’s gentle touch. In multilingual and multigenerational families words frequently fail, not capable of conveying sentiments of affection. However, food bridges these gaps formed by differences in language and culture, especially during the holiday season.
“My family hosts a potluck with all of our relatives during the holidays” said sophomore Zoya Merchant. “It’s always a mix of different foods, and the event is extra-special because it is one of the few times a year all of my extended family is together.”
Many Monte Vista students participate in Christmas festivities, looking forward to the celebrations that follow the stress-ridden finals week. Christmas is a holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, with religiously significance among Christians. Normally, Christians celebrate through tree decorating, gift-giving, and attending church services on Christmas Eve. As Christmas has shifted to a more commercialized and universally celebrated holiday, traditions like advent calendars, gingerbread house building, and binging Christmas movies have also become a winter staple.
“I have a movie marathon every Christmas Eve” said sophomore Ella Kim. “I snack on Christmas cookies in my favorite holiday pajamas.”
While Christmas may seem to dominate the month of December, Monte Vista’s student body celebrates a myriad of winter holidays, with their own set of traditions. Among these is Hanukkah, celebrated among the Jewish community. While people often think of Hanukkah as the “Jewish Christmas,” this notion is entirely false. Hanukkah is its own unique, religious holiday, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and celebrating the festival of lights. The traditions that accompany Hanukkah are gift exchanges, cooking fried foods, and lighting the menorah. The Jewish Student Union is a Monte Vista club that recently hosted their Hanukkah party, complete with latkes, card making, and dreidel games.
“I love when my mom makes latkes, which is shredded potatoes fried in oil…kind of like a pancake, and you usually have them with apple sauce or sour cream” said Sam Sheyman, treasurer of the JSU.
“The whole point of Hanukkah is to eat fried food because it’s centered around an oil holiday, so we eat jelly donuts, which are also really good” said Kayla Kalnicki, the President of the JSU.
The holidays bring about a feeling of unity and generosity, compelling students to spread grand cheer throughout their community. In the past years, Adopt-A-Student has become a beloved Monte Vista tradition. It is a program where classrooms pool together funds to stuff stockings with candy and trinkets. Leadership students dress up in festive attire and deliver the gifts to our sister school, Verde Elementary. The pure joy and excitement of the children receiving these gifts reflects the true meaning of Christmas.
“We get to support Verde Elementary School, spend time with the sweetest kids, and give away presents” said sophomore Lauren Baker, who helped deliver the stockings last year. “Going to Verde is always a highlight of my year.”
The holidays are so full of warmth and joy, a time of relaxation and enjoying each other’s company. The traditions that accompany the holiday season define what makes winter so special.
