What is the Holiday Season & How is it Celebrated?

Come December and you will hear people, companies and masses talking about the holiday season. People start decking up their homes, going on a shopping spree and making the most of their holiday times. But have you ever wondered why this particular month is called the Holiday season? Well, it’s named so for a reason: December is loaded with festivities. The celebrations begin with Thanksgiving and conclude with New Year’s Day. Some well-known ones have a religious significance, some are related to nature itself while some are celebrated to honour cultural traditions. Here’s a look at the holidays that take place during the “holiday season”.

Hanukkah

Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a significant Jewish celebration that lasts for eight days and nights. It falls on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. And, is celebrated anywhere between the end of November and the beginning of December. The celebrations revolve around lighting candles in a traditional Menorah, relishing oily foods, playing dreidel and giving gifts.

Christmas

Christmas takes up almost the entire holiday season. This popular Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Though the traditions around the world vary, some of the common ones include going to church, going Christmas carolling, giving out christmas presents and having a big meal with near and dear ones.

New Year’s Eve

Bidding farewell to the present year and welcoming the new one! The day is marked by parties, fireworks and parades to ring in the New Year in style. Everyone gathers to celebrate at midnight to count down the start of the new year. Besides, sending holiday season gifts and preparing New Year’s resolutions are some of the necessary New Year’s customs.

Kwanzaa

Originated in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga (professor and chairman of Black Studies at CSU), Kwanzaa is a festival that honours African-American culture. The festivities are observed from Dec 26 to Jan 1 and involve activities that are focused around Nguzo Saba (the seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work, creativity, purpose, cooperative economics and faith).