Patch was out tradition-shopping this week. We found plenty of families, hailing from all over the world, at the ’s early childhood education holiday party. Though there was Santa here and Christmas songs, there were many takes on the holidays among the diverse crowd.
Can you share a tradition unique to your family or culture that you celebrate over the holidays?
Jason Moll, of Tarrytown:
- “We are Jewish so we do the typical Hanukah stuff. We just feel fortunate to be able to get everyone together this time of year with our schedules.”
Aude Tremblay, of Tarrytown, with daughter Ava, 2, who hail from the suburbs of Paris, France
- “The way we celebrate in France is pretty much the same as here; every other year I go back for Christmas. The only thing different is how we decorate our houses on the inside very much but not the outside. Maybe just a wreath but not all these lights. It’s the best for kids here. Ava has pretty kitsch taste so far.”
Dana Newland, of Sleepy Hollow:
- “Besides the kids getting up at the crack of dawn? One year I went to bed at 1 a.m. and they got up to open their presents at 2. I have to send them back to bed for an hour just so I can function. I make a special breakfast for us to enjoy. This year is different for us because we’re going south to Grandma’s house. We’re going to have a warm Christmas in South Carolina. My son [Quincy, 4] was able to help me decorate this year, which was funny because all the candy canes are on one section of the tree.”
Pablo Mayor, of Tarrytown, who comes from Colombia
- “In Colombia, we have Novena, or Nine Nights of prayers and singing. El niño Dios (the baby Jesus) brings the gifts, not Santa. And there used to be fireworks. It’s loud, it’s always a party. Not like here, where it’s quiet. It’s shocking. We don’t really do any of this here. We told Nico [3] about El niño Dios but he’s obsessed with Santa.”
Min Rha, of Tarrytown, with children Olivia Chun, 3, and Christian Chun, 4, from Korea.
- “We’re very Westernized in Korea. The holiday season is just like here. Santa, gifts. We adapted the culture a long time ago and kept that tradition. But we give gifts to our elders first and respect the elders. Parents, grandparents. New Year’s though is completely different. We wear traditional costumes and visit our elders. You really bow and they give money. It can get very lucrative when you have more than one kid!”
