The holiday season whisks us to an exciting and magical time where feelings of nostalgia, childlike wonder, and glee are brought forth. For some it’s decorating the tree, or spending time with family, giving gifts, etc. are the many components of spending this festive season in a glorious atmosphere. These are the traditional festivities to participate in and indulge in to sense the holiday mood, alongside multiple other annual celebrations. Valuing quality time with loved ones and creating shared memories is the most compelling experience to emerge from the delightful customs of this time of year. With that being said, Central Oregon Community College students share their classic and unique traditions during the season of giving.
Food is an integral part of holiday traditions as it creates a sentiment of connection with our ancestry.
Eli Spampinato, a COCC student, shares a delightful cooking tradition with their Nonni. The artichoke recipe has been passed down their family and they have followed this tradition since they were young. Their family is Sicilian and being aware of its appearance and flavor is inherited by them.
“Most years for Christmas, when I visit my extended family in North Carolina, my nonni and I cook stuffed artichokes together. We’ve done it since I was really little, and there isn’t actually a real recipe. It’s just been passed down to me through doing it and knowing how it’s supposed to look and taste,” said Spampinato.
“We are Sicilian, and it’s a family recipe. I don’t know if it’s actually a Sicilian dish. but it’s a food that’s been made for over 20 years for our family since before I was born,” said Spampinato.
Comfort and joy can be found even in the simplest traditions.
Julian Hasbun, another COCC student, specifies various festive traditions he does with his family including simple and enjoyable activities they’ve done over the years. Building gingerbread houses and Christmas movie nights are primary elements of his amazing customs to celebrate this holiday season. Hasbun also specifies an effortless and timeless tradition of observing the holiday lights.
“We always build a gingerbread house, even though it’s more about having fun than structural integrity. It’s definitely a good excuse to make a mess and snack on candy. Christmas movie nights are also a staple, with Elf and Polar Express on repeat and a big mug of hot cocoa, of course. Another favorite is taking an evening drive to check out the holiday lights. We crank up the heat and blast Christmas music while cruising around neighborhoods. It’s a simple tradition, but it never gets old,” said Hasbun.
He also includes a tranquil tradition, balancing the fun throughout the holiday season. Hasbun and his family finds that lighting candles and thinking back on the previous year helps them manage the hectic of the holidays. “We also make time to honor a more old-school tradition around the winter solstice. We light candles and reflect on the past year, which is a quiet way to pause and set intentions for the year ahead. It’s a grounding balance to the busyness of the holidays,” Hasbun said.
COCC student, Malaya Dolium shares a timeless holiday tradition that’ll give the place a warm and cinnamon-like smell. This festive season, she usually bakes more, including making gingerbread treats and goods. Along with that, she purchases an intriguing present for her family members as well.
“Typically, I will cook alongside family, bake gingerbread cookies, and buy everyone a special or exciting gift for Christmas. I tend to do more baking in the holiday season as well and make a lot of gingerbread baked goods,” said Dolium.
She also mentions a sentimental tradition of decorating for Christmas. Every year, Dolium and her mother adorn the house and tree with ornaments. The ornaments are especially important as they were gifted to them or creations from her early years.
“Every Christmas, my mother and I also decorate the house and decorate the tree with ornaments. A lot of those ornaments are ones that were created from my childhood or that have been gifted to us over the years by family, so they are meaningful,” said Dolium.
The season of giving and joy is a remarkable occasion, but not without the traditions that make this time of year magical.
