Christmas has been celebrated for almost 2,000 years and was first officially celebrated by the Catholic Church in 336. It originated as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure in Christianity. However, Christmas today is a more secular holiday focused on gift-giving and gathering of family.
Christmas in the United States is typically celebrated by decorating trees with ornaments and lights, giving gifts, eating large meals, and gathering as a family. Santa Claus plays a large role in modern European Christmas mythology. He is depicted as a fat man with a big white beard and red suit who travels on a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer and delivers gifts by traveling down the chimney of houses.
In other parts of the world, traditions range from eating KFC in Japan, cooking Braai in South Africa, decorating mango trees in India, and breaking open piñatas in Mexico.
America is often called “The Great Melting Pot,” a country of immigrants from around the world who bring their separate traditions and values into one common culture.
FVHS has its fair share of students who have their own Christmas traditions. We asked a few of them what they were.
Sophomore Jackson Page said that his family traditionally hides a pickle ornament on their Christmas tree that the parents have to look for on Christmas day. Page also said that his family usually rents a party room at Cracker Barrel.
Senior Brynn Marley said that her family also hides a pickle ornament in their Christmas tree and typically meets with other family members at her uncle’s house.
Junior Talei Williamson said that his family makes pho, a Vietnamese soup dish, every year.
Williamson said, “It’s the only thing we do for Christmas that’s from my mom’s side of the family. I like it and I look forward to it every time.”
Senior Andre Amyradakis, who is Brazilian, said that his family makes a dessert called Brigadeiro. This chocolate dessert is made from cocoa powder, condensed milk, butter, and chocolate sprinkles.
Amyradakis said, “It’s really good. We only make it sometimes, which makes it even better.”
Senior Abishai Merchant, whose mother is from Ethiopia, said his family celebrates Christmas not only on Dec. 25, but also on Jan. 7, following the Ethiopian calendar.
Merchant said, “We usually make traditional Ethiopian food like Doro Wat and Kitfo and have a nice dinner.”
Fuquay-Varina’s students represent a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and nothing highlights this diversity more than the variety of Christmas celebrations within their families. Thai, Ethiopian, and Brazilian traditions, among many others, bring unique flavors, customs, and festive rituals to the community.
