By: Dilay A
The progressing chilly weather signifies more than just layers of clothing and the need for warm beverages. Along with the start of December comes the season of joy and festivities! As the last stressful weeks of term one arrive at an end, students and teachers are restless to spend the remaining days of the year with their friends and family. Unique to every individual is their holiday traditions - each with a meaningful and personal significance to their lives. In this article, we’ll be providing some insight into the beautifully diverse festivities practised by our Sentinel students!
A fascinating array of holiday traditions was shared with us by Erin, a grade 11 student here at Sentinel Secondary. Her family comes from a Danish background, and they practice many seasonal activities that have descended through their heritage. Erin elaborates on how every year on Christmas Eve, they make homemade rice pudding where the entire family contributes. One singular almond is put into the mixture, and then equal portions are passed out to the whole family. Once everyone begins to eat, whoever finds the almond in their pudding wins the prize of a marzipan pig! “Most people find our traditions strange, but it’s what makes us [our family] us!” Another cultural custom that Erin and her family practice is decorating their Christmas with Nisses! They are little danish gnomes that are representative of the Christmas season. They finalize their Christmas tree with a Danish star placed at the top.
Another holiday story told is unique to British culture! Mimi, one of our very own writers for the Sentinel Sun, was kind enough to share. Every year, an essential staple at their Christmas dinner is Christmas crackers: a cardboard tube - similar to a very large candy wrapper. “Before the dinner begins” Mimi states, “two people grab either side of the cracker and firmly pull it until it splits!”. Whoever is holding the side that is still attached to the cracker’s “centre-chamber” gets to keep the prize inside. The contents include a small knick-knack, mainly unique to the memories and inside-jokes of the family. “Most of the time it’s a small silly toy, but it’s the laughs that we share during the process that makes it meaningful” shares Mimi.
The holidays are inclusive of people of all cultures and religions. Natacha, a grade 10 student, celebrates Hanukkah with her family and community during December. Before the official festivities begin, they go to their synagogue to celebrate the annual Festival of Lights. Within this celebration, she and her family get to light candles and indulge in traditional treats, such as latkes (potato pancakes!). Natacha personally enjoys participating in the interactive art experience/show that their synagogue hosts. The friendly competition encourages whoever wishes to participate in submitting a work of art that his representative of their culture, beliefs and personal anecdotes. As she enjoys expressing herself through artwork, it has become a custom for Natacha to submit a project on the day of the art show for her friends and family to enjoy. For her, “winning has never been important, I simply love creating art, and I get to do it in honour of my favourite holiday!”.
With the personal stories shared by some of our Sentinel students, we were able to capture a few of the unique and wonderful traditions practised among our community. Nevertheless, the diversity in holiday festivities is endless! This holiday season, we encourage you to expand your horizons and confide with some of your peers to discover what they’re annual holiday customs are. Let’s embrace the core value of this joyous season with the exchange of love and appreciation for every unique individual. Happy Holidays!
Bình luận