The holidays are typically the most joyful time for society. Aside from the stress of buying gifts, the holiday spirit and spending time with family brightens everyone’s mood. Let’s not forget the festive decor and scented candles and holiday lattes are also a bonus. The holidays are a great time to be surrounded by family and friends and celebrate your favorite traditions. 

In America, people celebrate many differing holiday traditions during the winter, considering we are known as “the melting pot.” The melting pot means that America is a very culturally diverse country. Around this time of year many people will celebrate Kwannza, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years and many more. Typically, people in America will put up their decor around Christmas time. “WhyChristmas” is a website that has published articles about traditions celebrated during Christmas/Hanukkah. An article published from this site about the United States reports, “People in America like to decorate the outsides of their houses with lights and sometimes even statues of Santa Claus, Snowmen and Reindeer. Some cookies and a glass of milk are often left out as a snack for Santa on Christmas Eve!” These are a few examples of the many Christmas traditions people celebrate here in America. 

I have been curious about how people celebrate over the holidays, so I interviewed some of the students and staff here at Peninsula. I interviewed Selena Elliott, a student, and asked “what she does to commemorate the holiday season?” She stated, “she and her brother have a tradition where every year they wrap their presents so that it is difficult for the other to open them.” I asked another student, Connor Smith, ” What is his favorite holiday traditions?” He explained that “every year since he can remember, his family has opened a gift on Christmas Eve.” Lastly, I asked one of my peers, Violet Portteus, “what her family does to celebrate Christmas time?” She replied, “wearing matching pajamas the night before and Christmas morning.” 

These are just a few of the multitude of things people do to observe the holiday season. This time of year is full of spirit and joy and gives us time to reflect on the things we value. My best wishes to you all over the holidays, and I hope to see you all next year.

JPC-DESIGN, whychristmas?com /. “Christmas in the United States of America on WHYCHRISTMAS?COM.” Why Christmas, https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/usa#:~:text=People%20in%20America%20like%20to,with%20 lights%20 to%20 celebrate%20Christmas.