The Crier Wants to Know: how does your family celebrate the holidays?

For many people, the holidays are a time of joy, cheer, and festivities. From decorating to baking, family traditions make each holiday experience unique and special. Read on to see the diverse holiday traditions members of the Conant community partake in. 

Pelayo Adenuga ‘24 (no photo)

“Extended family members from all over the world come to this home to prepare for a huge celebration. On the morning of Christmas Day, we all go to church together. Once it’s evening we pray and begin the celebrations. We have a huge feast eating a variety of food.”

Zeel Patel ‘23 (no photo)

“We gather around 10 – 15 family members and friends and have a fantastic Christmas party. We decorate our home by hanging lights outside, decorating the Christmas tree, and wear red on Christmas Day. As night falls, we start to open our presents on Christmas Eve. My siblings and I made it a tradition to lay down underneath the Christmas tree with our heads facing up and stare at the beautiful lights and ornaments that hang from it. We sit like that for a while and just remember and reflect upon the going year. In my home, we make traditional food most days but during the holidays we pump it up with even more delicious food for all!”

Provided by Aagii Nasanjargal

Aagii Nasanjargal ‘22

“My family and I celebrate a traditional Mongolian Holiday called ‘Naadam’, which is our version of Independence Day. In this celebration, we watch horse-races, compete in archery, and wrestle.”

Provided by Yami Cortez

Yami Cortez ‘21

“My family loves to make tamales and Ponche (apple cider drink). We normally host a family gathering where there’s dancing and games. We also take a day before the party to decorate the whole house with Christmas decorations. Overall, we just love the time we get to spend together.”

Provided by Katherine Roberts

Katherine Roberts, Math Teacher

“On both sides of my family we play white elephant. Everyone brings one present and if you roll a 7 or 11 you take a present; if you roll doubles, you put a present back. You can also steal from others. In some years, we have done goofy gifts, including a rubber chicken which makes it back into the game every year! Some years I leave with four to five presents, if luck is in my favor. Some years I have received none. Either way, it’s always a riot!”

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