As the fireplace rattles and whistles and warms up the chilly living room—a children are running down the spiral stairs in excitement, a mother is sipping steaming hot chocolate from her mug, a father is grumpily slouching on the couch as he just got awakened from his nap, and a jolly song is playing gleefully in the background. The aroma of gingerbread from candles spreads throughout the room. The children run straight to the dining room table as they finish descending from the stairs—” Mom! Mom! The cookies are gone! Santa ate them all, the milk glass is empty too!” They shout with a big grin on their faces, then as they return to the Christmas tree, in a matter of seconds, the wrapping paper is tossed off multiple gifts at once.
Many people celebrate Christmas for different reasons, and they all celebrate it in different ways. Some have different beliefs and traditions in how they celebrate as well, whether that’s a huge tradition of having the whole family over and playing crazy Christmas games, or if it’s just making gingerbread houses while sipping hot cocoa with close ones. These traditions are all different depending on how the family celebrates and what they believe in.
Some people celebrate the holiday by visiting family and friends to spend time with them; this includes giving and receiving love, support, and gifts from them as well. Spending Christmas with family and friends can improve the bond each family member and friend has with one another. This brings families together and forms better relationships.
“My family celebrates Christmas because of our religion, but to me, family plays a bigger role in why I enjoy celebrating,” freshman Jocelyn Orellana said. “My family and I usually travel to my grandma’s house for the holiday, but sometimes we visit different family members instead.”
Most Christians celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, as Christmas is known to be a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. As of modern times, Christmas has become a secular holiday for families across the world. Even though its origin is a Christian festival—it’s openly celebrated by non-Christians as well, and it is now known for the exchange of gifts and its famous figure, Santa Claus.
“I mostly celebrate Christmas to honor Jesus, and to spread love and joy throughout my family,” sophomore Lenae Woodhouse said.
Instead of celebrating Christmas for family and friends, or for religious reasons, some just celebrate for fun. Most people do this by making gingerbread houses, creating homemade ornaments, making unique food and cookies, etc. By doing this, most people can celebrate without having to spend a dime, as Christmas isn’t just about gifting and receiving presents—it’s about having fun and being happy.
“I enjoy making homemade foods, watching movies, and just listening to Christmas music before the holiday,” sophomore Madison Saw said. “It is fun and it sets the vibe for this time of the year.”
Other individuals celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve, instead of Christmas day. As it is believed that Jesus was born on the midnight of Christmas eve.
“My family and I usually go to church the night of Christmas eve, and when we return home, we eat and then open our gifts,” freshman Romina Vega said. “It is nice being able to spend time with my family while celebrating Jesus.”
Everyone celebrates Christmas in different ways and for different reasons. This allows people of different cultures and beliefs to come together to celebrate the holiday. This makes Christmas joyous and diverse—which is why it’s well known to be the most wonderful time of the year.
As the parents clear up the living room of the wrapping paper, and the child runs up to their room with their new belongings. Giggles could be heard echoing throughout the home. The candles are blown out and the fireplace is extinguished. With a yawn, the parents go off to bed as the children play with their new gifts upstairs. The jolly music slowly fades in sound as it comes to an end.