Christmas cheer floats in the air, filling the hearts of everyone around. Families get together to spend quality time together, showing their love by giving gifts, making food, and gathering at a special place every year. After all, Christmas is a joyful time to be a little extra kind to everyone around.
This year, Hallettsville High School’s students and teachers get out for Christmas break on December 19. Their break is about two and a half weeks long, lasting into the new year. Teachers come back to school on January 5, and students come back on January 6. This long break gives teachers and students plenty of time to spend with their families and make wonderful Christmas memories.
“Since my kids were born, we go every year and buy a Christmas ornament for them, something that pertains to them, something that they’ve done, whether it be playing softball or soccer or something that they’ve accomplished. We write their name on the back of it and then hang them up on the Christmas tree. And when they grow up, they get to take their Christmas ornaments and decorate their own Christmas tree with them,” Ashley Albrecht said.
Being with family around the holidays is time well spent. Starting new traditions and keeping the old bring memories to last a lifetime.
“When Cuero first started doing their Christmas in the park, it was Christmas Eve, and there was nothing open but McDonald’s. We went to McDonald’s, and I ordered a fish sandwich with extra tartar sauce, and I had more tartar sauce than sandwich. So now every year we have to go look at the Christmas lights and order a sandwich. We laugh about how not to order a fish sandwich with extra tartar sauce,” Mrs. Albrecht said.
Food on Christmas can be hard to get. But it’s also a lot of fun to make it with your family.
“Every year, my family and I, just my immediate family, take the time on Christmas Eve to bake gifts, not just regular chocolate chip cookies for Santa, but we actually make good cookies. Like last year, we made smores cookies, we do chocolate-covered pretzels, and puppy chow,” senior Kailyn Harris said.
Presents can be given in many different ways, like white elephant, secret Santa, or just Jolly Old Saint Nick.
“On Christmas, usually all the family comes to my house, and we’ll all sit in the living room. There are presents there, and we’ll try to guess who they’re from, and if you guess the person, you can get another present. We sit with the family and watch movies together,” junior Sergio Aguillon said.
Whichever way you celebrate the holidays, it’s always best enjoyed spending them with your family.
“My favorite tradition is when my siblings and I put our names in a hat, then we draw, and that’s who we have to get a gift for,” senior Zander Martinez said.
