Christmas may look similar on the surface with lights, gifts and family gatherings but for many students at our school the holiday carries unique traditions shaped by culture, travel, and family history. From food to music to decorations, celebration styles vary widely across the world. To understand just how diverse these traditions are in our own community, I interviewed several students about the different ways their families celebrate Christmas.
A Mexican Christmas
Gabriel Becerra Sophomore
Gabe explained that their family is originally from Mexico, and even though they don’t travel out of state much, they still hold on to meaningful holiday traditions. Their celebrations focus heavily on food and faith, especially when the whole family gathers to make and eat traditional dishes. As they put it, “We usually eat traditional Mexican foods like pozole,” a classic Christmas dish in many Mexican households. Their decorations also reflect their cultural roots. Instead, of relying on typical American Christmas décor, the family includes religious items. “We put up the baby Jesus and others” which tie back to Mexican Catholic traditions. One of the most unique and important parts of their Christmas is the timing. Unlike families who wait until Christmas morning, they shared that “We usually stay up till 12am to open presents on Christmas Eve”. For them, the highlight of the season is spending time with loved ones, giving out presents, and enjoying homemade Mexican food together.
A Greek Christmas
Alexandros Vasili Sophomore
Sophomore Alexandros Vasili shared that his family celebrates Christmas with traditions rooted in their Greek back round. Even though they now live in the Untied States, they continue these culture customs every year to stay connected to their culture. “I feel very connected,” Alexandros said, describing how meaningful it is to celebrate in a way that reminds him of his family back in Greece. His family blends American and Greek in a simple but special way. They usually eat the same foods Americans enjoy, but they keep certain details unique-like placing an angel on the top of their tree instead of a star, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Alexandros also admitted that one thing he always looks forward to is opening presents “Something I always look forward to are the presents” he added, showing that even with cultural traditions, the excitement of Christmas morning is still the best part.
A Polish Christmas
John Kesek
John Kesek explained that his family’s Christmas’s celebrations are strongly shaped by their Polish roots. He shared that staying connected to their culture is something his family takes seriously during the holidays, whether it is from the food they make or the traditions they keep alive. One of the dishes he always looks forward to is perogi, a classic polish food that he describes as “a special food we eat.” Even though his family decorates their home like most people, the atmosphere still feels different because of the traditions passed down through generations. John talked about how meaningful it is to gather with his entire family for Christmas Eve dinner, a tradition he says they follow every year without fail. He added that unlike some families who mix American culture customs into their celebrations, his family stays closely tied to their Polish heritage. Despite the cultural focus, he still enjoys the simple excitement of opening presents and spending time together, which makes the holiday feel warm and familiar to him.
Even though each student celebrates Christmas in their own way, their traditions share some common themes. Many students stay connected to their culture though special foods or family gatherings, while others celebrate in a more typical American style. Some families follow traditions passed down for generations, like big Christmas Eve dinners, while others keep things simple with decorations and gift opening. What stands out the most is that every student values spending time with family, even if their celebration looks completely different. These differences show how unique each background is, but the meaning of Christmas, family, tradition, and together always stay the same for everyone.
Overall, Christmas looks different for every student, each story shows how important family and traditions are during the holidays. Whether it’s special foods, cultural celebrations, or routines passed down for generations, these traditions help students stay connected to who they are. No matter how they celebrate, Christmas remains a time of joy, family, and meaningful memories.