Winter Holidays

For me, the winter holidays are about sharing love and laughter with family and giving gifts, especially to those who may not be able to buy gifts for themselves. When I was a kid, my mom used to take me and my sister shopping to buy gifts to donate to Toys for Tots. I remember my mom handing me the gift so I could put it in the donation bin. Another year, my family participated in an “Adopt-a-Family” event where we were given the ages of the kids in the other family so we could pick out gifts for them. This idea that the holidays should be more about giving than receiving stuck with me into adulthood. 

When I worked as an elementary school counselor in Oregon, my best friend was a teacher at the same school. When we heard that a student at our school had told his classmates that his family couldn’t afford to celebrate Christmas, we hatched a plan. We bought a tree, decorations and gifts for all the family members. Then, we showed up at their front door, rang the bell, and when the parents answered, they found a pile of gifts with a note to enjoy Christmas. The student who had shared the sad news with his classmates earlier was beaming as he showed his classmates the “cool sweatshirt” his dad gave him.

The next year, I started a Giving Tree program at that elementary school, so staff members could provide gifts to families in need. We asked parents not to mention that the gifts came from us, but that either they take credit or give credit to Santa. One student was desperate for a bicycle but her parents couldn’t afford it. Our custodian bought the bike and delivered it to the girl’s father at work. The father didn’t speak much English, but his gratitude was clear. He cried and through a translator just kept saying thank you, thank you. That school still does a Giving Tree every year, even now. 

When I came to Mountain Vista Middle School as a principal, we started a similar program. I just got assigned my kiddo and I can’t wait to go shopping. Kelseyville Elementary is also doing a Giving Tree this year. (Any community member interested in buying gifts for families on our Giving Trees should contact the MVMS or KES school office.)

To me, giving is what the holidays are about. I am so grateful for all that I have and I love bringing joy to others. Presents under the tree don’t matter as much as what we give to others, whether it’s a bicycle or a hand-written note. 

I also love learning about other holiday traditions. While many of us celebrate Christmas, it’s just one of many.
 

Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish wintertime festival of lights, celebrated with eight days of nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. According to reformjudiasm.org, “one is not supposed to light the Hanukkah candles in private, then move them to the door or window. One is supposed to light them in the threshold. The blessing comes from willingly asserting your faith in public, not with raging fire but with a single, quiet flame.”

Diwali
Diwali is the Hindu wintertime festival of lights, a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating life, and committing to making the right decisions in life. According to hinduamerican.org, people light lamps during Diwali to remember that “light triumphs over dark, knowledge prevails over ignorance, and good triumphs over evil.”

Mexico
Winter holidays aren’t always tied to religion. According to worldholidaytraditions.com, in Mexico, children enjoy winter festivals with piñatas. Blindfolded children take turns striking the piñata with a stick or bat, and the child who breaks the piñata and spills the candy for all to enjoy is the hero of the festival (at least as far as the kids are concerned). 
 

Local Pomo Tribes
Locally, we have many Native American tribes, including Big Valley Band Rancheria, Elem Indian Colony, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Koi Nation of Northern California, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Robinson Rancheria, and Scotts Valley Reservation. Although each tribe has unique celebrations, many honor the Winter Solstice.  
 

If the holidays are a tough time for your family, there are several local resources available to support you. Visit the Kelseyville Unified website for a calendar of food resources in the month of December (kvusd.org/departments/food-services). You can also reach out to your student’s school counselor to learn about additional resources.  
 

Wishing everyone a fun-filled holiday shared with those you love.