From the beginning of time, humans have had traditions — whether they are recognized or not.
An important question to start with and answer is, “What is culture without tradition?”
Well, tradition is what keeps groups of people tied together and connected again and again.
Traditions follow everyone’s daily lives year round, starting with saying “Happy New Year” to going door to door hoping to receive a treat instead of a trick, and wrapping up gifts for loved ones.
Sometimes, these practices are part of religious beliefs, and they can stem all the way back to the beginning of humanity.
Sometimes, these traditions were started just a few years ago or maybe even a few days ago. Every religion, culture or group has its very own traditions. Oftentimes, the practice of them becomes so natural that we can’t remember a time without them.
This time of year is the perfect time to reminisce on traditions. Whether families celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Winter Solstice or simply just enjoy watching the snow fall and spending time with each other — traditions are everywhere.
Braden Jones is a junior at Park City High School, and he shared his family’s holiday tradition of watching Bob Clark’s 1982 comedy, “A Christmas Story,” every year on Christmas Eve.
The movie, directed by Bob Clark, came out in 1983 when Jones’ mom was a young child, and she always watched it with her family each year on Christmas Eve.
That’s where the tradition began. Jones said.
“My mom loves this tradition so much,” he said. “We still do this today.”
Jones also said the film helps his family get into the Christmas spirit.
“The movie is so funny and joyful, and it illustrates the magical and joyful part of Christmas,” he said.
It is a really beautiful idea that something as simple as a holiday comedy can help bring a family together to appreciate the beauty of this time of year.
Each year, the Jones family can come together to laugh and also sympathize with the character Flick when he gets his tongue stuck to a frozen pole.
Lilah Farhm, is also a senior in Park City High School. She shared that one of her favorite holiday traditions is putting cranberry and popcorn strings on the Christmas tree.
“My grandmother did this, and my family’s done it every year since,” she said. “It makes me really happy because it reminds me of my grandma, and it just feels like home a lot.”
Farhm also talked about how this tradition was so special to her because “It brings me a lot of joy because it makes me feel like I am really in the Christmas spirit.”
Like the Farhm family, other families have traditions that have been passed down generation to generation.
According to America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn, putting strings of popcorn and cranberries actually began almost 200 years ago in 1842.
German-American immigrants made this decorative craft more popular here in the United States. They decorated strings added a beautiful pop of color to the trees. The strings were both beautiful and edible, and this tradition is still very common today.
Blake Solomon is in the eleventh grade and a classmate of Jones and Weissman. Her family celebrates the Jewish holidays, as her father grew up in the religion and has shared these practices with his wife and children.
Solomon talked about her family’s tradition of the big Jewish dinner they eat together on the last night of Hanukkah. Her dad makes it every year, and family members enjoy traditional Jewish foods, such as latkes, matzah-ball soup and homemade challah, while sitting around the dinner table, lighting candles and spending time together.
“This started long before I was born as a tradition my grandparents did with my dad as he grew up,” Solomon said. “This is a tradition I plan to continue with my children some day, and I hope it continues for many generations to come, as it is something I look forward to each and every year.”
Solomon’s wish is truly inspiring, as it is important to continue traditions that bring her current and future family joy.
The holiday season can be an amazing opportunity to practice traditions, celebrate culture and spend quality time with family and loved ones, and there are so many events in Park City that are open to the public, if people are looking to continue a tradition or start a new one during the winter season.