The winter season is filled with many different holidays celebrated by students at Patrick M. Villano School.
“I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas,” Ava Samuels, a sixth grader, said. “On one night during Hanukkah, we usually have a family dinner. On Christmas Eve, we go to my grandma’s for dinner, and on the 25th we open gifts …”
Many Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmastime with festive lights, candles, and ornaments. Jewish people often celebrate Hanukkah. That holiday celebrates a miracle of oil burning for eight days when there was enough oil for just one day.
“The menorah holds nine candles—one for each night plus a candle called the shamash used to light the other candles,” National Geographic Kids online stated.
Another holiday in late December through January 1 is Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a gift giving holiday celebrating African Americans.
“The holiday was created in 1966, during a time period when many black people faced unfair treatment because of their skin color. The holiday honors African American people, their struggles in the United States, their heritage, and their culture,” according to National Geographic Kids online.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world.
“In many places, January 1 is ‘day one’ of the new year, based on a calendar that follows the Earth’s movement around the sun. But the lunar calendar—upon which the Lunar New Year is based—tracks time by the moon cycles. That’s why people all over the world celebrate it on different days each year,” National Geographic Kids online stated.
Kaylie Brea, a sixth grader, stayed with her grandmother and watched the ball drop at Times Square in New York City on television.
“My three uncles and my aunt were also there. I helped my grandma make pasta and shrimp alfredo, and I ate a lot. I set a resolution which was to lose some weight, which I think I’m doing well so far,” Brea said.
