The holiday season is a time for joy, reflection and most importantly, traditions. From decorating trees to lighting candles, each tradition carries years of memories and stories that connect us to one another.
Holiday traditions come in many forms. For some families, it’s the smell of freshly baked cookies lingering throughout the house on Christmas Eve. For others, it’s gathering around a menorah, lighting candles and sharing stories during Hanukkah. Some celebrate Kwanzaa with music and dancing.
Each tradition, no matter big or small, creates memories that last a lifetime.
“Every Christmas since we moved here, me and my dad come back to this tree farm and I still remember getting lost between the giant trees as a kid,” Cami Barger ’28 said, “and somehow, being here with him still feels just as magical.”
These moments, passed down through years or newly created, tie the community together during the holidays. They offer comfort, belonging and a reminder that as time goes on, some things remain constant.
For many students, these traditions are more than just seasonal routines.
“The holidays get so hectic,” Alex Gottlieb ’28 said, “but lighting the menorah with my family every night of Hanukkah reminds me to slow down and appreciate where I come from.”
Others find joy in the rituals that bring everyone together.
“My whole family bakes cookies on Christmas Eve,” Christina Suarez ’28 said. “It’s messy and chaotic, but it’s the one time of year we’re all in the same room laughing.”
In the end, the holiday season is not shaped by the size of the celebration, but by the love and nostalgia in these traditions — the small rituals that remind families what they’ve done and where they come from.
