So, you celebrate Christmas, your sister-in-law is Jewish and honors Hanukkah, your best friend celebrates Kwanzaa, and your niece is into Solstice. Here’s how to bring all these traditions together under one roof.
Christmas
In America, Christmas is the most popular of the winter holidays. Its mascot is the jolly gift-giving Santa Claus. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ the central figure of the Christian religion. Decorations may incorporate a small nativity scene. Some people now celebrate Christmas minus religious components, preferring to stick to just Santa Claus and his troupe of reindeer.
It is relatively easy to integrate Christmas into winter holiday celebrations, the stores are packed with Christmas themed trinkets. Christmas trees, stockings, and wreaths are among the usual Christmas decorations. Also, kids love Santa. Families who are not heavy on tradition could still attribute a couple of presents to Santa to bring some magic into the minds of the children.
Hanukkah
This Jewish eight day, seven night holiday is meant to celebrate the renewed consecration of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews' 165 B.C.E. victory over the Syrians. The word "Hanukkah" means "dedication" in Hebrew. There are a few simple Hanukkah traditions that can be added to any holiday festivity.
A Hanukkah Menorah is a nine-armed candelabra, the light from the Menorah honors a miracle that caused one nights worth of oil to burn for eight days. A Menorah placed in a window lets Jewish friends know that their traditions are respected. Potato pancakes, called latkes, are a popular Hanukkah dish. Another tradtion is a game played with a four-sided top called a dreidel. Rules for dreidel games can be found on the MyJewishLearning website.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is modern adaptation of the Pan-African celebration of “first fruits”. Dr. Maulana Karenga pulled together many African philosophies and created the holiday in his 1988 book The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture (Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press, 1988). Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, from 26 December through 1 January, and each day has a corresponding value.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Celebrating Kwanzaa with friends and family includes giving gifts based on these values. Popular Kwanzaa decorations are symbols of harvest; such as corn and fruit. The Kinara is another symbol of Kwanzaa, this candle holder has seven candles, three green, three red, and one black. The Kinara symbolizes cultural roots in continental Africa.
Solstice
The world Solstice comes from the ancient Greek term for “standing still sun”. It is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, which is usually December 21 or 22. There are many instances of ancient cultures celebrating Solstice in a variety of ways, but modern observances are likely to follow the Celtic tradition of Yule.
Wiccans and Celtic Pagans celebrate Solstice, or Yule, as the rebirth of the sun. The holiday marks the promise that warmth will return and darkness will be banished. Observances often revolve around telling the symbolic story of the old Holly King being vanquished by Mother Earth’s newly born son, the Oak King. Solstice decorations include representations of the Holly King, as well as evergreen boughs, berries, and pine cones. Wiccans and Pagans may give gifts to children to honor the strength of innocent youth. They may also keep the holiday by practicing rituals designed to promote rebirth, intuition, and growth.
Diversity is an American tradition; consider incorporating a mix of traditions into holiday parties and office decorations. It is also important to remember that some people don’t celebrate winter holidays at all. Don’t try to force the holiday spirit onto somebody who doesn’t want it. Mutual understanding and acceptance of cultural differences can become common ground for open communication. (Stafford 2009)
Reference
- Stafford, D. (2009). HOLIDAYS should foster mutual RESPECT. Women in Business, 61(5), 33.
Alison Lyke - I am a professional freelance writer based out of Rochester, NY. Besides writing, my interests include music, philosophy, camping, yoga, ...
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