Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or do not celebrate any of these, the Holidays are a time to be thankful and spend time with the ones you love. At a school as diverse as Annandale, it is important to understand and appreciate the widely varying December celebrations of students.

One winter holiday frequently celebrated by AHS students is the tradition of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is more of a cultural rather than a religious holiday. It too is a time of appreciation. Kwanzaa lasts for seven days to perform the “seven guiding principals” of Nguzo Saba.

During this holiday, the Kinara is lit, gifts are exchanged, the home is heavily decorated with black, red, and green colors and a huge “feast” usually takes place on December 31.

AHS dean of students, Hassan Mims, celebrated Kwanzaa throughout his childhood. He said, “We merged aspects of African American culture with the traditional Christmas holiday. I remember my family doing different cultural things every day, and everyday had a different theme…I like the cultural aspect of Kwanzaa: holidays [are] not just about commercial things.”

Another winter holiday, Christmas, is one of the most popular holidays among AHS students. During Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and make further efforts to appreciate the things they have and to help those who are not as fortunate.

Additionally, many houses are decorated with Christmas materials, such as Christmas tree and items commemorating Jesus. Carols are sung, a feast is typically eaten and people take the time to visit the ones they love.

Interestingly, AHS English teacher, Kathleen Dion, celebrates two occasions on Christmas. She said, “This year, I’m going down to Richmond where most of my family lives. On Christmas day, we celebrate Christmas early in the morning, we eat a huge brunch and then we celebrate my Dad’s birthday. We try to separate his birthday from the Holiday as much as possible. How can he compete with Jesus?”

Another Holiday celebration found at AHS is Hanukkah. According to History.com, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday wherein Jews have “eight nights of merriment.” Generally, within this time period Jews light the menorah, give and receive gifts, eat traditional foods including Latkes and Sufganiyots and play the traditional game of dreidel. Hanukkah “commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E., as well as the subsequent rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem”.

AHS Junior Ben Wolfenstein celebrates Hanukkah. Aside from already receiving the movie Star Trek as a gift, Ben said he and his family “light the menorah and… have a family dinner” for Hanukkah.

Indeed the holidays can be eventful and fun, but there are those who do not celebrate any holiday during this time of the year. Though Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, many do take advantage of this time to spend it with their family and friends. AHS freshman Sadia Yusuf said, “this year my mom is inviting my family over to my house and we’re going to have a big dinner.”

Dion, Wolfenstein, Mims and Yusuf all share a common theme for the holidays: each of them spend time with their families. The Holidays is a wonderful opportunity to go see your family and show your appreciation to the ones you love. Regardless of beliefs or traditions, it is a time of celebration.