Everyone knows about the most popular holiday traditions, and likely have some of their own that they look forward to every year, but where do they come from? How did these traditions look in the past? Is there more to traditions than just the fact that it’s what everyone else is doing?
Merriam-Webster defines a tradition as “the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.”
Many traditions can start from when the holiday was first coming around. Such as Hanukkah’s menorah. It’s a staple of the holiday, but by definition also counts as a tradition. One candle is lit each of the eight evenings by a shammash candle in order to represent the miracle of the holiday. This is a tradition that has lasted for many years, starting way back in the second century.
Another way traditions are formed is a result of a blending of cultures. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the most popular winter holiday was Yule, which started on the winter solstice, December 21 and lasted until January 1. One of the most popular traditions for Yule was decorating a Yule tree with lights in the center of a town and hanging mistletoe, holly and ivy.
As Europe became more and more Christian, these Pagan traditions were adopted into the holiday of Christmas, as anyone can see today. People decorate with lights, wreaths, holly, and Christmas trees; all traditions originally from the celebration of Yule.
“We pick out the biggest tree and decorate it with all of the ornaments me and my siblings made when we were in elementary school,” junior Anabella Amaral said.
Family brings up a different important way traditions are created: through family. Many people have interesting traditions from specific family members, not just what the holiday has been doing for centuries.
“We always bake teacakes or Christmas cookies every year, it’s a recipe that my family has had since my great Grandma first made them,” junior Cassidy Ames said.
Some holiday traditions might be more widespread than others, but all over the world, the winter traditions are about family and have their own unique twists per household. This season, pay a little more attention to what seems natural, there’s always a deeper history behind it.
