This year, Winter Break is from Dec. 22 – Jan. 4.
During those two and a half weeks, there are several major holidays: Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve.
Northtown students all spend the break differently. Some go on trips, while others spend the break at home.
Here’s a look at some Winter Break traditions.
Some families that celebrate Christmas remember the holiday with family dinners and gifts.
“Before Christmas my parents hide a pickle ornament on the tree and whoever finds the pickle first gets to open the first present.” – Maddy Mars, 11
“On Christmas Eve we have a winter feast with family and neighbors, then everyone will open up presents. The next morning everyone comes over again and we have breakfast together.” – Angela Gutierrez, 10
“My family all gets together to eat a lot of food and play football.” – Patrick Howard, 11
“Everyone meets at my Grandma’s house for Christmas and she makes home made egg nog” – Thomas Swope, 12
“Over winter break my family all gets together for Christmas dinner and everyone has to bring a different food.” – Fabio Sonda, 10
“Every year my family makes tamales for dinner.” – David Caseo, 11
“We always open our gifts together on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning.” – Haley Daniels, 11
“My grandma makes peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses in the middle just for Christmas, they’re my favorite.” – Hannah Leach, 10
“My family goes to church, then we open one present on Christmas Eve. In the morning we open the rest. My grandma also makes Mexican Mole for Christmas dinner.” – Ceres Campos, 12
“My grandma makes hashbrown casserole just for me because it’s my favorite.” – Dominic Lopez, 9
Some families use the two and a half weeks to travel, either just to their grandparent’s house or around the world.
“Sometimes my family will visit India over Winter break.” – Kayla Chinnaswamy, 11
“Every two years my family will go to Nigeria over Winter Break.” – Chinelo Ezeuka, 10
“We spend a lot of time with family that we don’t see a lot.” – Heather Johnson, 10
“We go to my aunt’s house to visit family.” – Jessica Kennedy, 12
“Sometimes we visit my great grandparents in Iowa.” – Lauren Mullins, 12
However, some Hornets just stay at home to relax and hang out with their family.
“My family watches ‘Elf’ and we play intense sessions of Rock Band.” – Cheyanne Neilson, 11
“My family gets into Nerf Wars and goes to church together.” -Jonathan Becker, 11
“Before and during winter break, I play a lot of dreidel and win lots of chocolate coins.” – Selena Montes, 11
Whatever holiday you’re celebrating this Winter Break, just remember to stay safe, stay warm, and stay classy, Northtown.
