Winter Holidays 2025
As the days grow shorter, darker, and colder, we embrace the special holidays of this season uniting families and friends for feasting and cozy gatherings. Warm homes are adorned with meaningful symbols and decorations that include lighting candles, decorating with evergreens, singing seasonal songs, welcoming those we hold dear, and exchanging gifts. We share comforting, delicious foods with those we cherish as our hearth and home along with our hearts provide some moments of respite from the hurried pace of each day. At Harborlight, students can feel the excitement in the air! Everywhere, lights and decorations brighten the evenings. Amidst these celebrations, we remember those who are suffering and make time to lend a hand to those in need. Before Thanksgiving, each classroom collected food for those less fortunate. During Thursday morning Café, Middle School students held a holiday sale where families could purchase gifts they had created. The Family Association, in partnership with DCF, is sponsoring a giving garland to gather gifts for children in need of a little holiday cheer. Each of these events reflects our community’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Hanukkah
December 14, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins and lasts for eight nights. This wintertime "festival of lights" is celebrated with nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Hanukkah, meaning “dedication,” commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple after the Jewish victory over the Seleucid Greeks around 200 BCE. After their victory, the Jewish people entered the Temple to rededicate it. Finding enough oil to light the lamps for one night, the oil miraculously lasted for eight nights- leading to the tradition of lighting the menorah. Prayers are recited before the lighting followed by traditional songs. Foods like cheese blintzes, and kugel (sweet, egg noodle casserole) are enjoyed by family and friends who have gathered to celebrate. Chabad.org says that “…it is customary to play with a “dreidel” (a four-sided spinning top bearing the Hebrew letters, nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for nes gadol hayah sham, “a great miracle happened there”).”
Yule
From December 21 to January 1, the winter festival of Yule (also called Jul) celebrates the rebirth of the sun & its light. Dating back thousands of years, this winter solstice festival has roots in ancient Norse traditions including the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, the Norse god of wisdom, healing, royalty, knowledge, war, victory, and sorcery, as well as in the Scandinavian pre-harvest festival of Disablot which honored female deities and the Mōdraniht ("Mothers' Night"). Traditions include lighting the Yule log and having it last until sunrise, the Yule goat, Yule boar, and Yule singing. Bonfires and logs were lit, meant to burn for 12 days. Other traditions include decorating with holly, mistletoe, evergreen branches, making Mother’s Wish bread, feasts, and gift-giving.
Christmas
Honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is celebrated from the evening of December 24 through December 25. Traditions include caroling, decorating homes with a tree, manger, wreaths, garlands, and mistletoe. In countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, cities and towns have a traditional Christmas market known as Weihnachtsmarkt where people gather to enjoy special foods, drinks, and to buy local artisan crafts. In Mexico, the 9 days before Christmas include the Posadas that recall the journey to Bethlehem with carolers going from home to home asking for shelter and celebrating at the last home. In Puerto Rico and Venezuela, the Aguinaldos are caroling groups that spread holiday cheer. In other Spanish speaking countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, and Bolivia families have a creche or manger decorated with lights in a prominent place at home. The eve of the 24th includes a special dinner, midnight Mass known as Misa de Gallo, and family time emphasizing togetherness.
Kwanzaa
A celebration of African-American culture, Kwanzaa runs from December 26 to January 1. Created by activist Maulana Karenga, it draws from various African harvest traditions. Kwanzaa means “First Fruits” and culminates in a communal feast called Karamu on the 6th day. The celebration centers on seven principles known as Nguzo Saba and is focused on family and community. Homes are decorated with a 7-branch candelabra called “Kinara” representing the Nguzo Saba. These are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economy, purpose, creativity, and faith. The Kinara is placed on a special mat called mkeka and is surrounded by fruits of the bounty, ears of corn, and the Unity Cup known as “Kikombe Cha Umoja”. “Before drinking, each person says "harambee," or let's pull together." After drinking from the cup, the family reassesses their past, discusses their hopes for the future, and recognizes their ancestors. 7Principles365
New Year’s Eve
On December 31st we bid adieu to the old year and welcome in the new year filled with endless possibilities. People around the world celebrate in a variety of ways to attract good luck, health, and prosperity. These yearly traditions can include eating twelve grapes, one for each stroke of the clock at midnight for good luck, carrying a suitcase outside in the hopes of travelling, and folding a dollar bill to be kept in a wallet as a wish for financial prosperity. In Brazil, people dress in white and heading to the beach to make offerings to the goddess Iemanjá for peace and protection by throwing flowers into the ocean. In cold northern climates, some brave souls do a polar jump into freezing waters to mark the beginning of the year! These fun customs signal happiness and anticipation for what the new year will bring!
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous winter break! May the warmth of your cherished ones and the season bring you joy as you start the New Year!
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Harborlight Montessori is a non-profit, private, independent, school for students from Preschool through Grade 8.
Middle School, Elementary, Preschool, Afterschool, Summer Programs, Vacation Week Programs
Middle School, Elementary, Preschool, Afterschool, Summer Programs, Vacation Week Programs
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