a c Season of tradition ©
Students share fond Christmas memories
Whether for food, family,
presents or Santa, each
individual remembers
this special holiday in a
different way
By Jesse Stephenson
Entertainment Reporter
Iith the holiday fast
approaching — for
some a little too
quickly, and for others
not quickly enough —
many people find themselves
thinking about Christmases past
and all the memories they have,
whether of parents playing
Santa, that special present found
under the Christmas tree or just
a good meal eaten during the
holiday season.
“I never believed in Santa
Claus,” said accounting major
Jeff Hoffman. “My parents
didn’t want to tell me that he
was there when he wasn’t. I’m
glad that they did that.”
While some people had the
same experience Hoffman had
regarding this fictional gift
giver, many others were given
the chance to experience the
wonders of the magical Saint
Nicholas.
“Santa Claus was very real in
my family,” said journalism
major Andrew Blazier. “He was
real until about the third grade.
One night my mom made me get
something out from underneath
her bed, and while I was down
there, I saw two gifts that were
wrapped up.
“The next morning, which
was Christmas, the same two
presents were underneath the
tree, only the tags said they were
from Santa Claus.
“I kind of had a clue then that
he wasn’t real, but I did my best
to think it wasn’t true for a
while afterwards.”
Another part of Christmas
people seem to remember long
after the holiday has ended is
the food.
“Every year my family goes to
my great grandmother’s house
for dinner on Christmas Eve.
She makes the best baked ham
ever,” said political science
major Adam Stuart.
“It’s always the same at my
house,” Hoffman said. “We
drink egg nog and get presents.”
it
Every year my family goes to
my great-grandmother's house
for dinner on Christmas Eve.
She makes the best baked ham
ever.
— Adam Stuart
political science major
Of course, the sometimes the
gifts received seem to be remem
bered much longer than any
thing else about the holidays.
“I think the best gift that I ever
got was when I was in sixth
grade,” Blazier said. “It was this
big old clunky golf bag with
three woods and a putter from
my Uncle Bob. The only thing I
still have from that present is
the putter.”
Unlike America, many other
nations do not consider Christ
mas as a major holiday.
“In Vietnam, Christmas isn’t a
big deal,” said architecture
major Quan Nguyen.
“We go to church and then we
open presents, but New Year’s is
better.”
Japanese New Year celebrates new beginnings
This three-day holiday signaling the
new year is a time for peace, prayer,
festivities and plenty of food
J!y Elizabeth Hertllng 1
Freelance Reporter
he New Year calls for new beginnings
and resolutions. In Japan, it also calls for
peace. Called sangamichai, literally
meaning “three happy days," the Japan
ese celebration of the New Year lasts
from Jan. 1-3.
“You don’t have to work. It’s a bit of peace for
the new year,” said Akinori Kunihara, director of
the Japanese Student Organization.
Although the different regions of Japan have
their own customs and traditions, some common
themes of celebration are shared throughout the
country.
During the holiday, families pay a visit to
shrines and temples to pray for an upcoming year
filled with health and good fortune. In the past,
many dressed up in the traditional costume of
kimonos when going to the shrines; however,
because traditional clothes are difficult to wear,
not as many young people wear them anymore.
Outside their homes, the Japanese decorate with
a pole covered with pine needles and bamboo, on
which they hang the flag of Japan. Inside the
house, many clean in order to start the new year
fresh.
Food also plays an important role in the New
Year celebration. Although the custom is changing
now, traditionally women have been the ones who
cook in Japan. For the holiday, they prepare festive
boxes of food in advance. Containing food that
won’t spoil easily, the boxes hold enough meals to
last the entire three days.
“During the New Year, the man doesn’t want his
wife to have to cook for him,” said Kunihara.
Besides the vacation time and special food, chil
dren in Japan have a special reason to enjoy the
New Year: Parents and other relatives will gift
them with bonuses of envelopes containing
money.
An element of festivities that took place in the
past was shishimai — the Lion Dance. Although
some regions still celebrate this dance, not as
many do because of the traditional and complicat
ed steps.
For more information about the Japanese New
Year or about possible activities during the holi
day, contact the Japanese Student Organization,
located in room 202 of the EMU, or call 346-4389.
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