The holidays are quickly approaching. Most people who celebrate the holidays have traditions. But where do these traditions come from? Whether it’s making cookies, meeting with family, opening presents, or lighting the candles on a menorah.
In the 16th century, people began to make cookies for Christmas. This was something that people did if they couldn’t afford a gift to give to others if their family wasn’t as well off but they still wanted to give a gift. Back in the 16th century, they couldn’t make cookies like they can today. They had ovens made of clay with a fire underneath. These cookies were made with honey instead of sugar as well. Nowadays, cookies are a common tradition that everyone makes at Christmas time, and nearly everyone makes them as a nice holiday treat.
Opening presents is another huge part of the holidays no matter what you celebrate. Christmas and Hanukkah are the two most holidays that presents are a big part of. On Christmas Santa comes and delivers presents to little boys and girls and this is the one day a year that nearly everyone who celebrates Christmas on December 25th most commonly looks forward to. Carter, a student from BASH says, “My favorite family Christmas tradition is that my family makes Italian wedding soup. I know not many people make it, but that’s the only Christmas tradition we really have.”
Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the 25th day of the Jewish calendar. Every night for 8 nights a candle on the menorah is lit. During those 8 days children usually play games and there are special types of foods that are eaten during that time. Aiden, a student at BASH who celebrates Hanukkah says, “One of my favorite foods has to be the noodle pudding” which is a common Jewish holiday casserole served during Hanukkah.
Many people have different holiday traditions, these are some common ones and a few special traditions from students here at BASH. BASH also has its own traditions including live day. Every year BASH holds live day where students can show their talent and play volleyball. BASH also puts up a tree in the BASH TV news studio that’s decorated by students from selected homerooms.
