Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
As the temperature drops and icy frost covers the ground, that’s when holiday cheer begins, and with that comes exciting festive traditions.
Holiday traditions are important activities that family and friends enjoy year after year. They are special moments, where memories are made. Whether it’s decking out the tree, baking yummy cookies, or spending time with family, these are all times that boost happiness and holiday cheer.
The different holiday traditions that people have are a fun and important way to create unforgettable memories and sprinkle a little extra joy into everyone’s busy lives.
One major reason why holiday traditions matter is that they help people remember and celebrate culture and family. When people pass down a tradition from generation to generation, it keeps stories and family memories alive and well remembered. Junior Smantha Scully says, “Every Christmas Eve, my mom and sister, and I make hot cocoa and watch The Polar Express. We have done that every single year since I was little, and it’s just meaningful because it is a staple during the holiday season.”
Holiday traditions are also a way to continue to make happy memories, and according to Medium.com, beat the winter blues. When families do the same activity year after year together, it becomes something to look forward to. These memories can last a lifetime and bring smiles to people’s faces even when they are apart.
For children, traditions can make the holidays fun and magical. For adults, they can bring back old childhood feelings and memories, which bring both joy and comfort. Sophomore Angelena Ferrera says, “I make Christmas crack every year with my mom, because she always loved making it as a kid with her mom, so it is something special that we look forward to every year.”
These shared moments help build bonds between not only close family and friends, but also extended family like cousins, aunts, and uncles. Junior Brady Grippo says, “I love coming together with my family to go to church on Christmas Eve and bake cookies after, because it brings me closer to the people that I don’t see very often.”
In today’s fast-paced world, holiday traditions are more important than ever because they help people slow down and focus on the little things. Life can be chaotic and stressful, with school, work, sports, clubs, and other responsibilities.
The holidays give people a chance to pause on all that crazy stuff and enjoy time with loved ones. Sophomore Sophia Torres says, “With all the constant running around in my family, it’s nice looking forward to the things I do with my family over the holidays, like drinking hot chocolate while decorating the tree.”
Traditions remind people to appreciate the simple things, like going to church, having dinner together, giving gifts, decorating, baking, and so much more. These things bring love and happiness into people’s lives, and the holidays wouldn’t be the same without everyone’s unique holiday traditions. Junior Christan Markley says, “For Christmas Eve, my mom’s family all gets together at my house, and we play a bunch of games, and give out gifts, and it means a lot to me because we not only all come together but we also pray together, which is really special to me.”
Holiday traditions are more than just fun. They are like the glue that holds families and friends close together, especially when things get busy. They bring joy, create so many memories, and remind people what really matters. So whether it’s sharing meals, singing songs, or baking cookies, these traditions are all ways to feel coordinated and happy. In a world that’s always busy and constantly changing, holding onto their moments makes the holidays brighter.
