By Alex Allyn ‘13
EE Staff Writer
Regardless of what you celebrate, the holiday season can be counted on to be filled with cheer and memories. Memories that are held most dear often involve friends and family. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanza, everyone has traditions that he or she shares with family members, and, no matter how embarrassing the traditions are, people secretly love them. Traditions differ from family to family, and can range from gut busting funny to seriously heartfelt. But what makes them special is just how unique they are to each family.
Lisa Ward, a senior, reflects fondly on the goofy tradition she has with her family. “On Christmas Eve, my uncle’s family comes to my house and we exchange gag-gifts.” She says that it is a great time for her family to get together and laugh. “I’ll never forget the time when my aunt gave me singing cow slippers. My family and I couldn’t stop laughing all night.” It seems, and Lisa would probably agree, that the holidays are meant to be spent with family, laughing.
The holiday season is not just inclusive to Christmas, however. Hanukkah is also a special time of year, a time for tradition. Nikki Wittstein, also a senior, discusses the traditions passed down from her own generations. “On the 7th day of Hanukkah, my entire family comes down to my house. We exchange presents, and we eat. A lot. My mom always cooks loads of food.” Nikki dishes on her favorite food… potato latkes. “She can never make enough!” Hanukkah traditions at the Wittstein house prove to fill the hearts of many, as well as the tummies.
Traditions during the holiday season are what make it so special. No two are the same. They can be the cheesiest and silliest of them all, but it never seems to faze anyone. This is all due to the fact that it’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” and many people seem to be in a more cheerful mood. Johnny Mathis knew what he was talking about. Whether it’s giving someone singing cow slippers, or filling 15+ bellies with latkes, traditions are all special to individual families, and that is what makes the holiday season so great.