Masuk Free Press

The start of November to the end of December is a time of festivities, where people around the world prepare to celebrate. From Diwali to St. Nick’s Day, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, Masuk students are united in their traditions, no matter how unique.

This year the holiday of Diwali was celebrated Nov. 12, although for Western and Northern Indians it can continue to last for five days. It is a Hindu holiday, although the celebration is also significant in a number of non-Hindu communities like Jainism and Sikhism. 

Diwali is referred to as the festival of lights “because it’s based on a myth where the god Rama saved his wife from a monster and the people of the village lit a pathway so they could find their way back. That’s why people on Diwali light lamps,” explained junior Shivani Anand. 

On Dec. 6, St. Nick’s Day, children with Eastern European heritage leave their shoes out in order for Saint Nicholas to fill with presents. Historically, the shoes were filled with fruits like oranges, chocolate, nuts, candies, cookies, poems and small gifts. This holiday started with Saint Nicholas who was said to throw gold through the windows of the impoverished. Over time gifts have shifted to include other small items like socks, candy canes, chocolate and gift cards.

“I normally get candy canes, candy and gift cards,” said sophomore Anastazja Malecka. 

Progressing through the calendar, sundown on Dec. 7 marks the start of Hanukkah (Chanukah) this year, an eight night celebration that ends the evening of Dec. 15. Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish victory after acquiring the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, where they lit a light with only enough oil for one day, but the light lasted eight nights. To celebrate this miracle, families light a candle on the menorah for eight days. 

“My traditions include lighting the menorah, exchanging gifts with family and playing the dreidel,” said senior Chloe Norton. 

Soon after, Dec. 25 marks one of the most widely celebrated holidays globally, Christmas. Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus. Holiday traditions differ around the world. 

“I used to do the German tradition where you had a pickle [ornament] in the middle of the tree and you had to find it,” said freshman Richard Bierut. Other Christmas traditions include advent calendars, carols, gift exchange, christmas trees and stockings.

 “My family sleeps until about eight, and then we open the stockings together and fill up on sugar, and afterwards we have a family breakfast like we all cook it together and eat it,” said sophomore Eveyln Crawford.

The holiday season comes to an end with Kwanzaa beginning on Dec. 26, and lasting a week until Jan. 1. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, as it was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga in order to celebrate the cultural spirit of the African harvest. Despite this, Kwanzaa is strictly celebrated in North America. To celebrate, people decorate their homes with a red, green and black candle holder called a kinara, straw mats and ears of corn.

No matter which holiday is celebrated, the festive season is a time for Masuk students to get together with loved ones, create new memories and honor the traditions of family.