As the holiday season approaches, families and friends begin gathering to celebrate traditions, exchange gifts, and enjoy time together. Many of these traditions are rooted in creativity—whether it’s stringing popcorn garland for the Christmas tree, crafting handmade ornaments, or organizing a holiday-themed art project for loved ones. These activities help connect generations and preserve customs that have been passed down for decades.
With winter break just around the corner, students are finding new opportunities to embrace the festive spirit. For many, the season serves as a reminder to slow down, reconnect, and engage in meaningful creative activities. Whether someone considers themself an artist or simply enjoys making memories, the holidays offer the perfect moment to explore and continue traditions.
Those who already celebrate holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, may already have lasting traditions. Winter provides the perfect chance for students to explore holiday creativity in a new way. In some households, families celebrate Hanukkah by crafting handmade dreidels or designing decorative menorah displays. Others may honor Kwanzaa by making symbolic art pieces that reflect the holiday’s seven principles. Many families who celebrate Christmas make traditional food, depending on the region they’re from, designing nativity scenes, or crafting ornaments as a form of self expression. These diverse forms of creativity invite students to appreciate the beauty of different traditions celebrated around the world.
Holiday projects also provide an essential outlet for creativity. From baking and decorating cookies to cutting paper snowflakes and hanging lights, these simple activities can have significant benefits. For students dealing with academic pressure or seasonal stress, creating something with their hands can offer a healthy way to decompress. “I destress by baking cookies and then decorating them,” senior Ava Weldemarian said. “I also really love having friends over and making gingerbread houses—it’s a really fun time.”
Although many families choose store-bought decorations, crafting handmade ones can be just as rewarding. Sitting down with loved ones to work on a project encourages connection and gives people a chance to create items that hold sentimental value. Research supports the mental-health benefits of holiday crafting. A 2024 study found that adolescents who participated in a two-week arts -camp program experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and lasting improvements in overall-wellbeing. Other studies consistently show that creative activities reduce stress, improve mood, increase focus, boost confidence, and support overall mental health. By engaging in these hobbies now, people can build positive habits that may carry into the new year.
Crafting during the holidays can also be cost-effective. Choosing to craft your own holiday decorations instead of buying them can stretch budgets- especially when many families are rethinking spending this year. According to a recent survey by Rocket Mortgage and Redfin, 28% of Americans plan to spend less on holiday decor than they did last year. On average, Americans historically spend around $230 per year just on decorations. Making decorations at home: using simple supplies, repurposed materials, or inexpensive craft items can avoid high retail costs. DIYing allows families to allocate more money toward gifts or other seasonal activities.
Beyond financial benefits, creative traditions help strengthen relationships. Winter break provides a rare chance for students to step away from academic pressures and spend uninterrupted time with the people they care about. “I’m able to spend time with my sister, we make popcorn garlands every year, and decorate gingerbread houses together,” junior Charlotte Brown said. “Getting to spend time with her at home without all the stress from school definitely helps my mood.”
As winter break draws near, the holiday season becomes more than a stretch of days filled with decorations and celebrations—it becomes a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, create, and reflect. Whether students are laughing over a messy gingerbread house, making a handmade gift for someone special, or keeping up a tradition that has been in your family for years, these moments of creativity add something meaningful to the season.
For a lot of students, these activities offer a break from stress and a chance to spend time with people they may not see as often during the school year. Even small traditions help strengthen relationships and support mental well-being during an otherwise stressful time of year. These simple traditions can help students start the new year feeling more grounded, supported, and refreshed.
