By Aimee Brandon Posted December 18, 2013
What do you celebrate when the holidays come around the corner? There’s the largely celebrated Christmas, but there are so many other celebrations out there. Christmas is a day meant to be forgiving, but in today’s society, it has become a day of receiving. Christmas comes with decorated trees, lights, Christmas Eve, and a Christmas Day feast.
Hanukah is a Jewish celebration of lights that lasts eight days. Those celebrating light candles each night, sing special songs, eat foods fried in oil, play dreidel, and give gifts of Hanukah gelt. Hanukah gelt is money given to children each day of Hanukah. A dreidle is a spinning top used in a sort of gambling game.
Another celebration is Kwanzaa, which begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. It celebrates family, community, and culture in honor of African-Americans. People decorate their homes with bright fabrics and fruit. Throughout the week, every night people spend their time drumming and singing musical selections, libations, and a reading of the African Pledge.
New Year is also a common winter celebration. In the U.S. the New Year is celebrated by staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve. Before midnight there is a tradition of counting down then right at midnight people have a toast to a new year with sparkling cider for those under 21.
No matter what you’re celebrating, be smart, and don’t drink and drive. Aka don’t break the law; if you keep it legal you’ll be good this holiday season.
