Edison school shares their holiday traditions

Have you ever considered your holiday traditions? Families have a variety of celebrations they look forward to as the holidays approach. Many traditions include hanging out with family and friends. Many Edison Intermediate School (EIS) students have expressed that this holiday season is their favorite time of the year. Whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah, it is a time for people to come together. 

Seventh grade student at EIS, Andrew Briamonte, expressed, “My favorite thing leading up to the holidays is hanging out with my friends and playing games.” 

“My favorite thing to do would be celebrating with my family and my friends.” EIS sixth grade student, Chloe Youssef, stated. 

Multiple people claimed that they visit family during the holidays that they might not see throughout the rest of the year. Seeing family and friends is a very popular tradition. At EIS, there are a variety of holidays that students celebrate. Let’s first consider some Hanukkah traditions. Seventh grade student at EIS, Skylar Field, stated, “Hanukkah is my favorite holiday because I get a lot of gifts…. We also usually eat latkes and go to my grandparents’ house.” 

Whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah, students spend time with family and friends. 

EIS Physical Education teacher Mrs. Christine Cabrales stated, “My favorite tradition is going away to Florida for the holidays with my family.”

Some people like to get out of their homes and go somewhere different to celebrate their favorite holidays. It is a good time to visit family and friends that people may not see very often. Eighth grade Language Arts and Journalism teacher Mrs. Erin Meade goes to a resort in Mexico with her extended family for the Christmas season. “My favorite part is being able to relax in the pool and eat all my meals with my kids, nieces, nephews, and my parents. Being together for a week is amazing because we only do it once a year.”

According to research, “Entering into the holiday season, many families begin to anticipate the special moments they’ll share. Whether it’s decorating a tree, baking cookies, or simply gathering around the dinner table, holiday traditions can hold a special place in our hearts. But beyond the fun and festivities, family traditions are a powerful way to create lasting bonds, foster family togetherness, and strengthen the emotional connection between family members.” 

Traditions are a special part of the holidays. People look forward to winter festivities every year. They are a way to bring people together and create fun memories. Traditions don’t always have to be during the holidays. However, remember that traditions can happen any time and anywhere. Traditions are practices passed down through generations. 

Alex Heuck, an eighth grader, said, “I love to do Secret Santa with my friends and open my Advent calendars every morning.” 

Traditions do not have to be extravagant; they could be as simple as opening an Advent calendar in the morning or hanging out with friends and family. 

EIS sixth and seventh grade Spanish teacher Rebecca Badajo said, “My favorite holiday tradition is baking holiday cookies and looking at the lights on houses.” 

Sixth grade student Bridget Rowan said, “We prepare homemade sugar cookies… and my favorite tradition is making gingerbread houses.”

 We can see that a common tradition is to bake homemade holiday crafts. It can be very fun making cookies from scratch. This can create memories with family.

Other students said some similar topics:  “During the Christmas time, my family eats angel fruit cake,” said eighth grade student Kelly McCabe, “I love giving and getting gifts, especially when my family does white elephants.” 

Food is a core to traditions. Certain foods make people think of a certain time in their lives. Both of these dishes are holiday traditions in each other’s families that they remember and cherish.  

Overall, traditions are a key part of the holidays. People have many similar and different traditions, but that is what makes them special. They bring meaningful experiences and long lasting memories that help individuals come together and have a cheerful day.