As the clock ticks closer and closer to winter break, WCHS students look forward to having a hiatus from school and celebrating their favorite holidays. However, not just students look forward to this break; WCHS staff do too. Just like students, staff have their own traditions during the break to celebrate their holidays.
Winter break occurs from late December to New Year’s Day. Multiple religious holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa also coincide with the break. As a result, it is not uncommon for staff to spend these holidays with family and friends, often traveling to see them.
“I have two sisters in Newburyport and Deerfield, Massachusetts, so either we host family or travel for the holidays,” WCHS Social Studies teacher Christopher Forney said. “This year we will go up to Newburyport to celebrate Christmas with my family.”
Winter break is so special because it brings together geographically distant families. Families who live on opposite ends of the country can join together to celebrate the holiday season. Many have a designated location they travel to yearly, while others switch up their travel spot. Regardless of the location, traditions can always be fulfilled.
“My dad is Italian, so we have carried on a tradition that his parents had when I was growing up,” WCHS English Resource teacher Jennifer Miller said. “We either go to mass before dinner or to midnight mass, and then we have a big home-cooked Italian meal, which we serve in our fancy dishes, and we do multiple courses.”
Large family dinners are a staple tradition of the holiday season. But, what makes traditions so great is that they can come in so many different forms, not just limited to home-cooked meals. Movies, music, decorations and games can all invite a holiday spirit.
“After dinner, we usually play ‘minute to win it’ types of games and sometimes exchange some family presents. We also watch ‘Home Alone’ or ‘Elf’ on Christmas Eve,” Miller said. “We also hide a pickle ornament on the tree the night before, and each year, whichever kid finds it first wins the ‘pickle prize’ and then takes custody of the ornament for the year, and they are the ones to hide it on the tree the night before.”
Many families enjoy spending time outside, and since winter break falls during the winter months, the weather may not always permit it. However, going on hikes, walks and bike rides, are just a few outdoor activities some families may indulge in.
“My family likes to go on walks together,” Forney said. “There is a great nature preserve on Plum Island that we explore if it is not too cold.”
Vacation is another significant aspect of winter break. Some families make traveling their holiday tradition, using their free time to explore a new place. When school is in session, there is not enough time to travel, which makes winter break a perfect time to go to a spot on the bucket list.
“This year, my wife is going on a European cruise with her mom and sister, which is something they have wanted to do for ages. So my daughter and I will travel to New York City for a few days,” Forney said. “We will try to catch a show, have breakfast at Balthazar’s, roam through Central Park, go skating at Rockefeller Plaza, and wander around a few neighborhoods, all of which I am looking forward to.”
The best part about traditions is that they are not the same for everyone. Although there may be similarities between families’ holiday routines, there is never a direct overlap. There will always be a difference, whether that be in the meals made, movies watched, games played or areas traveled. Every family has its own customs that may appear normal and typical to them, but to outsiders, they are completely unique.
“Two other silly traditions my family has is that we have all these crazy Christmas themed hats and headbands, and everyone has to wear one with their pajamas in the morning,” Miller said. “But I’m not sure what might be ‘unique’ in any of this, though others may disagree.”
