With the 2024 winter holidays getting closer, students at Olympia High School are ready for a break. The break is a time for students to enjoy relaxing with their families and friends. During this time of rest, students start their festivities for the holidays and some observe the religious holidays that are tied to the season. With the festivities there also comes some delicious food made for all to enjoy.
Hanukkah is one of the holidays celebrated throughout the Jewish community, and with it comes the lighting of the Menorah each night to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. With these celebrations there is delicious food that is prepared to enjoy while commemorating the holiday. Sufganiyot is a jelly donut that represents the miracle of oil burning for eight nights. Sugar cookies are made in the shape of a dreidel, which is a game that is played during the holiday. Gelt is a chocolate coin that is given throughout the game. One of the more well known holiday treats that is made during Hanukkah is latkes. A latke is a potato pancake that is usually served with sour cream or applesauce. Throughout the festive celebration of the eight days of Hanukkah, many delicious treats are served to commemorate the holiday.
Celebrated throughout African culture during December 26th-January 1st, the holiday known as Kwanzaa is observed. This holiday celebrates their culture throughout the 7 days by lighting a Kinara each night, symbolizing their ancestry. Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together and enjoy a feast while honoring their ancestors and understanding their culture. The food that is seen throughout the Kwanzaa holiday is anything that represents their culture. When sitting at a table filled with food to celebrate Kwanzaa, you can see collard greens, jollof rice, jerk chicken, and black-eyed peas. A dessert that is made is a mbatata, which is a sweet potato cookie from the country Malawi that is made with mashed sweet potatoes and raisins.
During December, Christmas is the biggest celebration for many religions, such as Christianity, Catholicism, and even some Buddhist sects. Christmas is a time that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Another celebration that comes to mind during Christmas is the idea of Santa Claus coming down the chimney and filling kids’ stockings with presents or coal. The idea of the “naughty and nice list” pushes kids to be good throughout the year. Through the celebrations there also come delicious holiday treats such as fruitcake, sugar cookies, and gingerbread men. Usually during Christmas there are more cookies, but some families also serve pies. Christmas is the time for family and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with delicious treats to enjoy through the festivities.
With the winter break beginning soon, we hope you enjoy some time with your friends and family while enjoying some delicious treats. Here at the Oracle we are wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
