As the temperature drops, spirits brighten and winter decorations are brought out. Among the things brought out are traditions. Traditions can range from being common like making and decorating sugar cookies to the most unique and possibly obscure like hiding a pickle or getting similar Christmas Eve pjs every year for you and your family.

Delving into the uncommon side, traditions get more unique by the response. 17 out of 36 have unique traditions that they do during the winter months. Kassidy Henry (‘23) makes “snow cream” if enough snow falls. On Christmas, Nicholas Chowning (‘20) and his family bring out all the presents and and play several games of Bingo for them. Grace Bancroft (‘21), instead of hiding a pickle, hides an action figure in the Christmas tree. 

“As our tree guardian.” Bancroft said. 

My own siblings and I get a new ornament every year from our parents. We’ve gotten them since our birth. My mom says it’s so we can start our own tree when we leave home. Lauren Johnson (‘22) and her family have a Christmas party at their house for family to come to. 

“We end up having either a fake Santa ring the door and leave a red bag filled with presents or we combine presents into one giant plastic ball and we each go one by one releasing a present from the ball.” Johnson said. 

Other traditions can be a little risky like Jacob Nelson’s (‘22) tradition of licking frozen poles. Take care of your tongue, Jacob! You only get one. Some families do Elf on the Shelf. Let’s just say some elves get into more trouble than others. 

But whether your traditions are the ordinary or the most unique, don’t ever forget they are special. Have a good Christmas, Holt.