Sliver tinsel, twinkling lights, distinguished nutcrackers and symbolic nativity scenes fill homes and flow through neighborhoods, spreading the atmosphere of Christmas. However, aside from decorations, family traditions also contribute to the Christmas season.

Annual Christmas traditions among family members can be viewed as special acts that become more memorable each year.

“On Christmas Eve we all get in the car and drive down Van Ness Boulevard. and look at the lights,” Megan Witters, ’07, said. “When we get home, my brother (Eric Witters, ’04) and I get to open one present each. Then on Christmas morning, my mom leaves a trail of candy from Eric’s and my bedroom doors to the tree. I usually collect all the candy because I wake up first but Eric steals some from me.”

Traditions not only reflect a family’s personal enjoyments, but also their heritage.

“Every year my family gets together and we eat traditional Cuban food,” Carina Moran, ’05, said. “I love it because everyone comes together and there is so much food! My favorite part of this tradition is Cuban coffee. I love drinking it on Christmas morning.”

While traditions such as Christmas trees and Santa Claus may not be connected with the Biblical side of Christmas, their original intent remains for the appeal of children.

“My mom likes to collect Bijhon dog ornaments at Christmas time,” Chapman Hutchins, ’06, said. “Personally, I’m not into the whole dog decorations, but she likes them because they are like our dog.”

Although Hutchins is not taken with his mother’s canine fetish, there are some traditions that he looks forward too.

“I like going to the Christmas service at church and learning about exactly why God came to earth,” Hutchins said. “I also like decorating the tree and going to Borders with the certificates my siblings and I from my parents.”

Christmas activities are also traditional events during the holiday seasons. Though some may find them ridiculous and boring, others anxiously anticipate their arrival.

“One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going up to the mountains with my family and cutting down our tree,” Seth Fisher, ’04, said. “I love our traditions because it gives us something to look forward to.”

The Christmas season itself seems to also be equally anticipated among students.

“My favorite part of the season is all seven of us sitting on the couch just talking and laughing,” Fisher said. “I enjoy it so much because our whole family is together.”

Christmas traditions are not only memorable for students, but for teachers as well.

“My favorite Christmas tradition is getting up in the morning, staying in my pajamas, and opening presents because it’s cozy and relaxing,” Molly Sargent, English teacher, said. “The best part of Christmas for me is being all together as a family. Now that two of my kids are gone, it’s nice to have everyone together again. We actually enjoy each other’s company.”

Christmas vacation begins at 12:30 P.M. on Dec. 19, as students will be dismissed after a half-day of school. Teachers are scheduled to meet after school for their annual teacher appreciation lunch. School resumes on Jan. 5, 2004.

For further informations on Christmas traditions, go to www.funsocialstudies.learninghaven.com.