From making homemade eggnog with Mom to decorating the Christmas tree, families across the world participate in holiday traditions that span generations and bring families together.

Some traditions are forms of preparation for Christmas day.

“As a family we decorate the Christmas tree,” Meghan Joy, ’07, said. “Everyone is always so busy with various activities during the holidays, so it is nice to do be able to do something as a family.”

In Sweden one of the most popular traditions is called Santa Lucia. This year it started on Nov. 28 when they light candles for each of the four Sundays before Christmas.

“Santa Lucia is the waiting for Christ’s arrival and is represented by burning candles,” Madame Lumya, French teacher, said. “I still participate in the Santa Lucia traditions, and I pass them on to my daughters.”

Giving gifts to loved ones during the holiday season can hold deep, traditional connotations of family togetherness.

“Our family draws names out of a hat, and then we get to open our present from that person on Christmas Eve,” Hillary Kell, ’05, said. “After that, dad reads out of the Bible to the family.”

Sometimes even the simple act of being with loved ones becomes a treasured holiday tradition.

“My family always goes to Shaver Lake for Christmas,” Joshua Palmer, ’08, said. “We participate in a lot of activities together like going skiing and fishing.”

Other families spend Christmas with cherished friends.

“On Christmas Eve we get together with a close friends of the family,” Amanda Sherr, ’07, said. “We usually read the Christmas story together.”

Some family traditions actually require leaving town in order to spend Christmas with family.

“I am going home to Korea to spend time with my family,” Ie Roon, ’08, said. “Most of my family lives there, and I miss them a lot. I go home during holidays and summer vacation.”

Whatever the tradition and whatever its origins, Christmas traditions bring families together for treasured holiday memories.