This winter, The Chronicle asked some Spartans what a day in their life during the holidays looks like.
Mandy Abboud, freshman:
What does a day in your life during the holidays look like?
Mandy celebrates Christmas. She says that, like most people, her house is big on “family gatherings.” She enjoys spending time with her loved ones, whether that be around the dinner table or outside. Some of her family events include “going out to Longwood Gardens every year” and “seeing the holiday lights.” The Abboud household stays active during the holidays, preparing for “ a bunch of family stuff…with a bunch of food.”
What traditions do you practice?
Many of Mandy’s traditions occur on Christmas Eve. She and her family get together and “make little paper snowflakes together [and] decorate the tree…the day after we get it.” Their family also has an Elf on the Shelf.
Abby Hay, Sophomore:
What does a day in your life during the holidays look like?
“I celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, but mostly Hanukkah,” Abby says. She spends her days with her family during the winter season: “Usually during the holidays, I’m cooking with my mom because we like to have either friends or family over a lot.”
What traditions do you practice?
The menorah, a cultural Jewish object featuring eight candles, is one of the most common symbols of Hanukkah. “Well, during Hanukkah, every night for all the eight nights, we light our candles. We light the menorah and say our prayers.” Abby also notes that her family often plays dreidel during the holidays, a game with a spinning top that has different Hebrew letters on each side. When asked about her Christmas traditions, Abby answered: “We have a big party on Christmas Eve with all of our family.”
Looking towards break:
Whether through paper snowflakes, a Menorah, or a home-cooked meal, the Springfield community is full of joy during the holidays.
