Winter break brings holiday cheer to all, but everyone celebrates differently. We asked students and staff to share their holiday traditions with us.

Guidance counselor Victoria Derby said her family’s Christmas tradition is wearing matching Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve.

Kirsten Johnson, 11th grade, said her extended family get together and all open one present each, from youngest to oldest.

Megan Williams, 11th grade, said that her family does an Advent calendar for the entire month of December. On Christmas Eve, she goes to her aunt’s house and they tell the little ones the story of Krampus, which is a German tradition. On Christmas Day, they all get up and watch the Muppets Christmas Movie while eating breakfast. When the movie is over, they unwrap all their presents and eat Christmas dinner.

Paraprofessional Annette Wagner one of the paraprofessionals said they hide a pickle in the tree, which is a German tradition. Whoever finds it when all the presents are open gets a little gift. She makes bread pudding, and her family has a pie contest that the men in the family judge.

Guidance counselor Lori Hahn, said her Christmas tradition her and her family got to a Christmas Eve service and play board games until midnight. At midnight, they open presents and go to a big Christmas party.

Cafeteria manager Angela Tracey said for her Thanksgiving tradition, she spends Christmas with her kids and her sister. She said she has a Swedish Christmas Eve, where everyone opens one gift that is always a book and a chocolate bar. On Christmas morning, she cooks family recipes, and they are not allowed to open presents until after having breakfast.
Substitute teacher Lacey Clark said that for her, Christmas is all about coziness. She watches cheesy old Christmas movies, makes rainbow soups and black bean brownies, and sings.

Cafeteria manager Angela Tracey said for her Thanksgiving tradition, she spends her Christmas with her kids and her sister. They have a big dinner and play board games together. She said she has a Swedish Christmas Eve, where everyone opens one gift that is always a book and a chocolate bar. On Christmas morning, she cooks family recipes, and they are not allowed to open presents until after having breakfast.

Charles Jones, 10th grade, said he dress as Santa Claus for the little kids over Winter Break and goes to various parties.

Paraprofessional Charlie Nelson said that her family enjoys looking at Christmas lights.