With Christmas only a few weeks away some people may not know what presents to give or ask for. Normally Adults are hard to shop for because if there is something they want they can just buy it. I have compiled a list of gift ideas to get your friends and family.
For adults
Handmade ornament
Food
Gift card
Books
Experiences like Painting class, Clay class, Tickets to Shows, Ziplining
As the holiday season blankets our world in a glittering tapestry of lights and laughter, diverse traditions take center stage, each unique in its cultural significance and personal charm. This festive season, we embark on a journey across continents to explore the rich variety of Christmas traditions that define this magical time of year.
Puerto Rico: Three Kings Day
Lorenzo Montes Martinez shares a glimpse into the enchanting Puerto Rican celebration of Three Kings Day. “We’d set out a bowl of water and the best grass we could find for the three kings’ camels, and you’d get a few gifts, maybe under the tree or by the fireplace,” Lorenzo fondly reminisces. Three Kings Day, also known as Dia de los Reyes, falls on January sixth and marks the culmination of the Christmas season in Puerto Rico. Families honor the journey of the Wise Men with festive parades, vibrant music, and the joyous exchange of gifts.
The City of Helotes lit up for the holidays. Photo by Shannon Tennant
Cajun Christmas Traditions: Lighting the Way for Santa Claus
Evan Powers sheds light on the unique Cajun Christmas traditions that illuminate the bayous of Louisiana. “It’s a Cajun tradition to set bonfires on the river levees to ‘light the way’ for Santa Claus,” Evan shares. This enchanting tradition not only lights up the night sky but also symbolizes the community’s warm welcome for St. Nick. Cajun families come together to build towering bonfires along the riverbanks, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that guides Santa on his magical journey.
Mexico: Embracing Traditions of Posadas and Nochebuena
With a significant Mexican student body enriching our high school community, we delve into the vibrant tapestry of Mexican Christmas traditions that colorfully illuminate this festive season. Posadas, a beloved tradition, involves reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, with processions, music, and the breaking of piñatas. As students eagerly participate in these lively celebrations, they create lasting memories and strengthen cultural connections.
Nochebuena, the Christmas Eve feast, takes center stage in Mexican households, with families coming together to share a bountiful spread of traditional dishes such as tamales, bacalao (salted cod), and ponche (fruit punch). Our Mexican peers share their joy in gathering with loved ones, expressing gratitude, and enjoying the culinary delights that mark this special night. As they create their own variations of traditional recipes and introduce their friends to the rich flavors of Mexican Christmas cuisine, the school becomes a microcosm of cultural exchange and celebration. The unity and camaraderie fostered during Nochebuena echo the universal themes of family, love, and togetherness that define the holiday season worldwide.
A Mosaic of Global Celebrations
In our diverse high school community, Christmas becomes a tapestry woven from threads of various traditions, each strand contributing to the overall beauty of the holiday season. The experiences shared by students from Puerto Rico, the United States, Mexico, and the Cajun communities provide a glimpse into the rich mosaic of global celebrations that unfold during this time of year. As we celebrate the beauty of our differences, we find common ground in the universal values of joy, generosity, and the warmth that accompanies the holiday spirit. In sharing and learning about these traditions, our high school community becomes a microcosm of the interconnected world, where diversity is not only embraced but celebrated during the most magical time of the year.
The campus December event calendar has many upcoming performances. The long rehearsed Winter Dance Recital, Orchestra, Choir, and Band Holiday Concerts are coming up soon. Our panthers have worked long and hard to put on a superior show for us. Students from each organization will share information about the preparations for each event, going to give a sneak peek for the shows. Let’s start with dance.
Senior Sophia Luna is on the dance team rehearsing for the Winter Dance Recital. Sophia has been dancing since she was 9 and she has proven herself by making the dance team. The dance team has been working on the winter recital since September. She expresses that they have worked very hard since and that the people in that class make the dance even better. She says, “We work really hard and try to get all the little details perfected”. Sophia is most excited about showing the dance to everybody and to see the final result after all the hard work they’ve put in. The Winter Dance Recital is Tues, December 5 at 6:00 in the auditorium.
Senior Abby Jones is the officer for orchestra. Abby plays the violin and has been playing for about 7 and a half years. She enjoys her time being an officer and is very committed to what she does as an officer and how things are going to work. Abby conveys that even though being an officer can be difficult sometimes, she has a lot of fun. The orchestra group has been working on this performance for a couple of weeks now and is getting ready to perform. Go watch and support our panthers on Wed, December 6, 7:00pm in the auditorium.
Freshmens Emily Pap, Edwin Lewis, Madeline Harmony Acosta are in choir preparing for their performance. They all have been doing choir for at least 4-6 years and they are still engaged in continuing it. They have been working for about 2 – 3 weeks on this performance. All of them said they are having fun with the songs and are most excited to see how it turns out. When I asked Harmony, did she like the songs they were doing, she added “I think they all sound really well put together cause everyone’s been working really hard.” The Choir Holiday Concert will be on Thu. December 7, 7 pm in the auditorium.
Freshman Juliet Aguilar is in the band getting ready for their performance. Juliet plays the clarinet and has been playing for 3 – 4 years. She is most excited to see how it’s going to turn out because she expresses that with every practice, they get better with their songs. So far, they’ve been practicing for about 2 weeks and Juliet thinks they’re almost ready. The Band Holiday Concert will be on Wed. December 13, 6:30pm in the AMP.
Come out and support our Panthers on their amazing performances.
As the changing weather shifts to cooler climates, the Texas seasons are entering late fall to early winter. This period brings about the end of year holidays, one for the fall being Thanksgiving. This holiday is one where families come together in hopes of a good meal and the warmth they bring each other through friendship and laughter. Senior Alexandria Fink gives us insight on how she is one who appreciates how this holiday brings people together.
“I usually spend Thanksgiving with my entire family. That includes my tios, tias, cousins, grandmas, brothers and sisters. It’s always blood relations but sometimes our family members bring close friends to gatherings which makes things more interesting,” Fink said.
With the gatherings in mind, being close and approaching fast to this festive day arouses the feelings towards it. Junior Daria McKinney shares how she thinks others should see Thanksgiving.
“I think people should see this as a day to come together for fun and caring with one another. But food is always good too,” McKinney said.
Coming together is an action that can be done in numerous locations in the city, even the United States. Some individuals wish to celebrate in their home wall others prefer to visit relatives out of town.
“I usually celebrate in Austin, Texas. This is with my aunt since her house and property is bigger,” McKinney said.
Along with the unification of others, families have different methods of celebrating. These methods are most commonly known as traditions, or in this case holiday traditions. Junior Madison Green shares the traditions she and others partake in.
“I have a tradition with my best friend where I bake something for her family, and go to her house. My momma always makes hashbrown casserole for me too,” Green said.
This holiday, like many others, is one that cannot be rushed for preparation. The food that is made or the games that are played can either be from memory or done from the book.
“My family usually starts to prepare a few days before the holiday. We all come into town about three days prior and we start to cook one to two days prior to the actual day,” Green said.
As the day draws near, many focus on what occurs during the time rather than how it happens. The meaning of the day is shown to them occurring as a fleeting notion or attitude.
“Thanksgiving has everything to do with love. Of course there’s plenty of food, fun, and games but all those things are set up and made out of love. To me it’s always been a holiday where I get to spend quality time with my distant family. I’m able to see how much they’ve grown and they’re able to see my growth too,” Fink said.
As the Covid-19 pandemic is still spreading in the United States, Thanksgiving and the years end to come might look different than previous years. Take time to cherish either a virtual communion of family and friends or if it’s in person, but take care and make precautions. Enjoy the turkey and the feast of love that is to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
