For many, Christmas is considered to be the best time of the year. Not only do students get two weeks off of school, but there are countless movies, activities and traditions to look forward to. The Laker Anchor polled 200 Spring Lake High School students on their favorite parts of the Christmas season.
Before December rolls around, Christmas cheer can still be seen and heard by those who believe that Christmas is too big of a holiday and cannot just be celebrated in December. For 30% of Spring Lake High School students, this is the case. Sixty students answered that they believe Christmas starts November 1.
Regardless of when the tree goes up, Christmas tree decorating is a staple of Christmas celebrations. Seventy-one percent of Spring Lake students reported that they decorate a fake tree rather than a real tree. “Every year my family and I go to the U.P to pick out our tree and it’s a fun tradition we do each year.” said junior Brooke St. George.
“I really like it because it’s a fun, competitive and chaotic game to play with your family,” Chelsea McConell said. Nearly seventeen percent of students responded that their favorite Christmas tradition was the “Christmas pickle.” The tradition involves hiding a pickle shaped ornament in the Christmas tree and the first person who finds it receives an award. Awards range from family to family, but can include an extra present, the right to open the first gift, or just good luck into the new year. The Christmas pickle has many origins, but the most common theory being that a Civil War soldier was captured and his only wish was a pickle before he died. The soldier miraculously regained his strength and to show his gratitude, hung a pickle in his tree every year.
Other favorite Christmas traditions include opening presents on Christmas Eve, advent calendars, spending time with family and baking Christmas treats.
Christmas movies also characterize the winter season. When asked to pick their favorite movie, Spring Lake High School students split relatively evenly among the five choices. “Home Alone” received 34% of votes, while “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” followed with 20%. “The Grinch” was close behind with 18%, as “Elf” came in fourth with 17%. “Polar Express” fell to last place, but with considerable amounts of votes at 11%.
