At the end of summer, most students don’t look forward to going back to school. However, it is the holiday season that motivates them to push further. While some people might not celebrate widely recognized holidays like Christmas or Halloween, there are other holidays like Kwanzaa. It is the cheerful spirit of any holiday around us that makes us feel rejuvenated.
Though there are many common traditions during the holidays like going shopping for Black Friday, many people enjoy the holiday season for numerous reasons. A current senior, Kayla Gerst, says, “Christmas time is a time of joy.” To her, it is beyond the presents and rather a time to bond with her family and truly cherish. Traditions like “white elephant” or “secret Santa” take place during the holiday season. Food also takes a big part of Christmas such as turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sugar cookies, hot chocolate, etc.
On the other hand, not every activity is enjoyed by everyone. In the fall, many food stores tend to make a fall menu that promotes pumpkin-flavored foods. From pumpkin spice coffee to pumpkin pie, there’s a wide variety of foods. Although some people enjoy these foods and take advantage of the limited menu, seniors like Edith Mendoza Solano and Gerst say that pumpkin-flavored foods aren’t as delicious as other foods during the holiday season.
Regardless of one’s preference for pumpkin, in this cold weather, it is tempting to drink hot drinks. The most popular is hot cocoa. Few people know that hot cocoa, or hot chocolate as it is called, was brought to North America by the Dutch in the 1700s. Its popularity began around 1755 when the colonists began selling it, and it is now sold in United States stores to many buyers.
There are many kind of hot chocolate to choose from: Swiss Miss, Land of Lakes, Oreo, Nestle and more. Mendoza Solano says “I like the grandma kind,” referring to the Nestle Abuelita. During the colder months, it’s time to enjoy indoor activities. Once you sit down and sip your hot chocolate, it’s time for wind down. It reduces stress and anxiety and keeps your mind calm. You can also chat with your friends and family while drinking this hot drink. Nilah Holland has drunk so much that she says: “I’ve even grown tired of it. ”
Among the most commonly celebrated holidays is Halloween. Halloween’s roots go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain where it was a religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. It is also known as the eve of All Saints Day where the dead will be honored. Yet, today many participate in the holiday for its chance that allows people to dress up as how they want to. Naomi Graham says, “I like Halloween because it is a time where people can be festive and have fun.”
Enjoying certain foods, drinks during the holidays sounds good, but don’t forget about the various types of activities in the fall and winter seasons. While it may seem like people don’t do much during these seasons, it’s quite the opposite since it’s these activities that make the seasons so much fun! Some students prefer to be with family while others like to be with friends. Senior Aidan Brown says, “I like snowball fights because they are very hyperactive and they bring competition, and I like competition.” Students like snowball fights especially with friends because just the idea of throwing snowballs is thrilling.
Students prefer snowball fights over other activities such as building snowmen and snow angels. While some people play with their friends, some prefer family. Another senior, Bridget Flores, says “I prefer it with my family since it’s more fun because sometimes it can be awkward with friends.” Ice skating is also a very popular winter activity that students tend to do with friends and family. While these activities require a lot of energy and going out, there are other activities that students like to do to relax such as watching movies at home, drinking the aforementioned hot cocoa, and even just listening to podcasts.
While winter activities look like they fully overshadow fall activities, it’s not true since students still like to do some basic activities such as jumping into a pile of leaves, going out for walks, playing soccer, and just simply going out with friends. Two very popular activities include visiting pumpkin patches or corn mazes with friends and family. Students like Holland, Mekal Mohamed, and Brown like corn mazes since they can be scary, fun, and thrilling. Pumpkin patches, on the other hand, are loved by people who like pumpkins such as Flores. Running around the field and seeing hundreds of pumpkins is fun and relaxing.
With the winter break approaching, students will have plenty to do and celebrate outside of class!
