After students wrap up from their tiresome exams, they are able to take a break from their busy schedules and focus on spending time with their loved ones, enjoying the spectacular Christmas season. The most special part of the Christmas season is the idea that each family has their own traditions, allowing students to make memories and carry the traditions on. While each tradition varies, from fun games to religious events, they all remind people of the importance of Christmas: celebrating Christ and having appreciation for loved ones.
1). White Elephant
White Elephant is a form of Secret Santa, but the rules are a little more interactive and competitive. All guests buy gifts-usually funny gifts at a set price- and bring them to the holiday gathering. Then the guests will gather in a circle and begin unwrapping mysterious gifts. As each gift is opened, the next guest can decide if they would like to steal the gift or keep unwrapping. The game ends when all the gifts are unwrapped and everyone decides to keep their gift, but these games often go on for long periods of time. White elephant provides an inclusive experience that often has fun themes, getting everyone in happy moods while celebrating together.
Adrienne Heinicka (‘27) adds, “My family does a white elephant, which I really love because it’s a time where all the family can joke around and laugh together.”
2). Live Nativity
Each year a Live Nativity is presented, taking place at Village Presbyterian Church in Carrollwood. This event is more solemn and sincere, but allows for all viewers to remember the reason for the season, and understand the sacredness of the birth of Jesus. The Church provides apple cider, cookies, and hot cocoa, allowing for families to indulge in some treats while attending the show. The presentation is played by Church youth volunteers, and there is also a petting zoo to include the animals the Shepherds cared for. The Live Nativity brings families and friends together to celebrate Jesus and show love for the local community.
3). Pickle Ornament
The pickle ornament tradition is one that many families participate in, with celebrities like Martha Stewart even joining in. This event includes hiding a pickle ornament within the family Christmas tree, and the first person who hides the decoration on Christmas morning is said to either receive an extra gift or have a year of good fortune. Similar to the White elephant, this can build competition between family members, leaving siblings to a race in finding the ornament. This pickle tradition has many origins, most relating back to Germany. Some believe that on Christmas Eve a Civil War soldier was saved from starvation by a pickle, while others believe Saint Nick saved young boys from a pickle barrel. Regardless of the true origin, the pickle ornament serves as an important tradition to numbers of families, being carried on for generations and bringing memories that can be cherished for years as well.
Junior Ashleigh Carpenter includes another Christmas tree tradition her family partakes in, “Every Christmas morning I make cinnamon rolls for everyone and every year after thanksgiving dinner we set up our Christmas tree and my mom takes a pic of me and my dad putting the star on top of the tree.”
4). Christmas Eve Games
Once again another competition-creator, many families partake in Christmas Eve games, to have prizes, laughs, and memories. At parties or celebrations like Noche Buena, families play games-whether they be for children or the whole family- to have engaging activities and incorporate more festive ideals into the party. Some games might include Christmas-based charades, candy cane olympics, reindeer games, or dice games. Particularly a tradition enjoyed by children, this can bring a more casual and lighthearted aspect to sometimes formal nights. This tradition can also amp up the Christmas spirit as the attendees anticipate Christmas morning. These games are perfect to have while blasting Christmas music and setting out fan-favorite treats.
Anna Hahn (‘26) sings for her family on Christmas Eve, “Each year on Christmas Eve I go to my grandparent’s house, and I play Christmas carols on the piano, and it is something I always look forward to.”
5). Cookie Baking
It isn’t Christmas without Santa’s cookies, and these are usually made by families baking together. Cookie baking and decorating intertwines family recipes with experimentation, allowing for different treats to be made and then enjoyed. Many students and their moms look forward to this tradition, as it connects people with varying levels of baking abilities. It is important for many families to have their favorite treats at Christmas time, and to also provide Santa with his much needed cookies. Whether families make homemade snickerdoodles or bake-and-break chocolate chip cookies, the tradition still carries love and tenderness that is crucial to have throughout the holiday season.
View this post on Instagram
The most special part about Christmas is that everyone has their own traditions that they can look forward to. It can be nights full of competition, like a gingerbread house contest, or it can be a night of reverence like Midnight Mass. Whatever one’s Christmas tradition is, it is important to carry it on and have those memories to look back on, because memories of the holidays are what truly count.
Maddie Fox (‘26) says, “I always look forward to getting together with my mom on Christmas Eve and baking homemade chocolate chip cookies with my Great Grandmother’s recipe.”
Linda Macolino • Dec 9, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Linda Macolino. I enjoyed reading about the many family Christmas Traditions. It was a very well written and informative article. I liked reading about the Pickle Ornament the best. Article was Terrific!!