Darien's Eclectic Christmas Traditions
NEIRAD enilno edition
Feliz Navidad from Spain. Froehliche Weihnachten from Germany. Mele Kalikimaka from Hawaii. From every corner of the world Christmas has different traditions and the same happens right here in Darien.
With America being the melting pot of the world, millions celebrate the holiday season differently, and in Darien people mark the holiday in many ways that go beyond eggnog and mistletoes. Some are similar to the basic American traditions, and others have vast differences.
Senior Erick Lee’s family is from Korea, and some of his Christmas traditions are similar while others are different from American customs.
“We do the basic American stuff like open presents and have family dinners, but the food we make is different and my church celebrates in different ways,” Lee said.
Korean churches don’t hold masses like English churches. Instead they are a place where members of the church can come together and celebrate with each other.
Lee said, “I love how we get to spend Christmas night with family and friends and talk about what we got for presents, it really brings us together.”
Spanish teacher Mr. Juan Carlos Arango was born in Colombia, and the differences between how Christmas is celebrated in the Latin world and in the United States. could be a culture shock for most Americans.
Fourteen days before Christmas, Colombians recreate the nativity scene, and for all 14 days people gather at different houses to sing, pray, and eat. The children sing and people bring instruments, and traditionally families go to different houses every night to celebrate the holidays.
“The night of Christmas, before midnight, gifts are given to all the children who come to sing and pray for the full 14 days,” Mr. Arango said. “We take Christmas very seriously in Colombia, it’s a huge deal.”
Colombian feasts include a large amount of traditional foods and sweets. “Pork is very traditional and sometimes desserts cover entire tables,” Mr. Arango said.
Back in Colombia, entire cities become covered with lights, concerts, and decorations. Towns and cities join together to decorate churches and town squares.
Mr. Arango said, “people from everywhere come together to create a stream of lights that lead from suburbs and their cities and churches, it’s simply amazing.”
In Mr. Arango’s home city of Medellín, the city puts up lights that cover the Medellín River to create an “amazing sight, just amazing.” Along the river, there are flowers and places for free concerts every few blocks. “When the Christmas decorations are over the river and it is first lit, four million people come to a stop, and then it’s like a huge block party takes over the city.”
Expect to come to Medellín and have a small, intimate gathering with your family, as well as a celebration with millions. The holiday celebrations for Colombians end January 7th. “After it’s all over, everyone goes back to work anticipating the party for next year,” Mr. Arango said.
Senior Niclas Rasmussen’s family comes from Denmark and they celebrate Christmas with a few twists.
Instead of opening presents on Christmas morning, his family opens them on Christmas Eve. “Christmas Eve is usually when my family has Christmas dinner with my friends and family,” Rasmussen said. Traditional dishes include duck, roast pork, and sweet potatoes. For desert his family has traditional European cold rice pudding and candy. “In Denmark all the towns and cities get decorated, kind of like New York,” Rasmussen said.
Then there is a school-specific tradition that students have come to expect when the calendar hits Dec. 1. Seniors Sean Gill and Brian Geraghty begin wearing Santa hats the first of December then don the hats straight through to holiday break. It is a tradition that began their freshman year. “”We want to keep the Christmas spirit alive,” Gill said. “We thought that some radio stations play Christmas music all through the month of December, so why don’t we do something like that,” Gill said.
Unfortunately a few kids see this fashion expression as an opportunity to create a stir. “Some say, 'nice hat.' Others try to take it and run away with it. At least they give it back later,” Gill said. Sean has had to super glue the white pom-pom back on several times. He finally just gave up and now wears it in its damaged glory.
Whether it is a damaged Santa hat or a beautiful musical performance, there are many ways everyone can come together to enjoy this special time of year. “DHS students have the advantage of being in a cultural melting pot, where they can experience and see how others celebrate their holiday,” Lee said.
