Summerville High School recently started preparing for the holiday season. Some students shared how they typically spend their holiday season. 

Traditions are a big part of the holiday season. They are passed down by families for generations or newly created to hopefully catch on and then be passed down. Some traditions are uniquely crafted for the family, but others are well known and celebrated by many. 

“We have a new tradition that we go out now into the forest and cut our tree down since they just started that last year. On Saturday, we’re going out to pick our own Christmas trees. The entire family comes up and we go out and we barbecue hotdogs and all pick out our Christmas trees together,” shared Ms. Fatima. 

Mrs. Fatima also has a tradition of doing a white elephant, except the box is wrapped in many layers and you have to unwrap it with oven mitts. This game connects families through fun holiday experiences. 

Aside from present-related traditions, some traditions are food-related. There are many foods associated with Christmas, but some families and countries have traditions that are more unique to them. 

“I grew up–my mom was born in what is now Croacia–and when I grew up she made this really neat bread at Christmas time which makes like 8 loaves, it’s got a really neat sweet nut filling that’s kind of rolled so I grew up doing that and now I do that and my kids [also] help me with that,” said Ms. Monroe. 

Monroe has another tradition of building gingerbread houses from scratch. 

Traditions are all wonderful and happy but it is more fun and memorable when you share it with people you love. Of those we interviewed, it was common for them to spend the holiday season and Christmas itself with family. 

“My family of course,” said Declin Macbeth, junior.

“Usually my grandparents and just my entire family, we go over to whichever house that we choose,” stated Ezra Brannon. 

“My family, specifically my mom and sometimes my dad if he’s in town,” said Thomas Eaton, a sophomore. 

A big part of the holiday season are the movies and the songs. There are countless Christmas songs and movies to watch and listen to during December to get in the holiday spirit. 

Ms. Fatima liked the song “Frosty” and the movie Rudolph. Ms. Monroe, meanwhile, liked the song “Mary did you Know?” and the movie Elf or the original Santa Klaus took the place as her favorite holiday film. 

“I like Home Alone a lot,” said Ayden Garcia, Summerville High senior. 

“My favorite movie, Elf, and my favorite song, “All I want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey,” stated Aiden Ripley, freshman. 

Some people shared their favorite and least favorite parts of the holiday season. They noted the changes in Christmas spirit over time. 

While Ms. Fatima noted the growing emphasis on presents as a cause for concern, Adele Bradley, senior, noted the stress of shopping for Christmas gifts. 

“I don’t like how things get really busy. I always do last-minute shopping on accident. I swear that I’m not going to, but it always ends up happening, and then if I need something I’ll go to the grocery store and there’s a gazillion people there,” shared Bradley.  

Despite this, many also shared their favorite parts of the holiday. 

“I think my favorite part is just the being together with family and friends. I love the quietness and the lights, the prettiness and it’s a time for me to celebrate the birth of my King,” shared Ms. Monroe. 

Kyra Hopp, a senior, shared her opinion on Christmas as well. Her favorite part of the holidays were the smells that surrounded her. 

“The aroma, because it’s definitely more sweet in the air. Walking into places it’s like peppermint-y, other places it’s other stuff-y. It’s just a vibe change. Everyone’s trying to be more jolly but then everyone’s stressed out,” said Hopp. 

Overall, Summerville will see the holiday season gain speed as we approach Christmas and winter break, with it experiencing all of the chaos alongside happier moments.