Traditions in transition

The combined celebration of these two holidays this year begs the question: Does one holiday overshadow the other when they share the same date? For families like mine who celebrate both, perhaps this collision of holidays instead invites us to pause and reflect on what the celebrations have in common. 

Both holidays emphasize light and hope during dark times, whether through decorating a Christmas tree or lighting the candles of a menorah. And at their core, both holidays are centered around family gatherings, warmth and coming together with loved ones. It’s not about choosing which holiday to prioritize but learning to hold both in the same space.

Holidays are rarely static. New people join the table; others fade away. Old traditions evolve. But as Hanukkah and Christmas arrive together, I find myself thinking about how holidays force us to face change head on and what the holidays I celebrate will look like for me after I leave for college. 

Holidays are about tradition, yes, but they’re also about marking time. They create a sense of continuity, connecting us to the past. However, as life moves forward, those traditions will inevitably transform. My friends and I have a tradition of decorating gingerbread houses every December but, as we all go off to college, I’m not sure if that ritual will continue. Maybe it will or maybe we will make gingerbread houses with new friends or let the tradition fade away entirely. That thought is definitely bittersweet, but it also feels like a reminder that rituals are meant to evolve. Holding onto them isn’t about keeping them the same; it’s about finding ways to carry their meaning forward.

As I prepare to leave for college, I keep reminding myself that traditions are defined by the memories and meanings we assign to them, not by their strict practices. My favorite rituals might look different next year, but I think the memories and values they carry can still be preserved in new ways. As my friends and I meet new friends and loved ones, we may blend our traditions with theirs as my parents did when they met. 

Even if you do not celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, there is something universal about how this time of year brings us back to the small, specific rituals that keep us grounded. Whether it’s the smell of your favorite winter meal, a familiar string of lights, or a stack of cards from friends you haven’t seen in a while, these moments remind us of where we’ve been and who we are. 

This December, I’ll light the menorah and sit by the tree one more time. I will try to remember the small details (the smell of freshly baked cookies, the way wax drips onto the menorah, the quiet overlap of two celebrations) and carry them with me. Because when the new year comes, those details won’t just be part of my past. They’ll shape how I find home wherever I go next.

Josie Belfer is a senior at Nueva School in San Mateo. Student News appears in the weekend edition. You can email Student News at news@smdailyjournal.com.