Anything But Christmas: A Guide to Alternative Celebrations

The holiday season can be a time of joy, excitement, and spending time with family and friends. But for some this time of year brings up more complicated feelings, from stress and exhaustion to sadness and loneliness. For those who have had enough of the traditional Christmas festivities, there is a wide range of alternative celebrations that can help bring some much-needed joy into the holiday season.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an 8 day Jewish festival of rededication that is celebrated at the same time of year as Christmas. During the celebration, a special menorah is lit each night with one additional candle added. The Hanukkah story is about a band of Jewish warriors known as the Maccabees who fought to reclaim the Jewish temple from enemy forces. Traditional food for the celebration includes potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly donuts (sufganiyot). Gifts are also exchanged, but traditionally on only the first night of Hanukkah.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration that has been widely celebrated in the United States since 1966. It takes place over 7 days from December 26th to January 1st. The celebration focuses on seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Families often come together to celebrate with an African feast, storytelling, dancing and exchanging of gifts.

Festivus

Festivus is a parody holiday featured on the popular television show Seinfeld. The holiday was created by George Costanza’s father and involves the “Airing of Grievances” where participants tell each other how they have disappointed them over the past year. A Festivus dinner is also held, and the centerpiece is an aluminum pole rather than a Christmas tree. The evening ends with “Feats of Strength” when the head of the household challenges a participant to a wrestling match.

Diwali

Diwali is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness. It is usually celebrated in late October or early November, and typically includes lighting lamps, fireworks, and exchanging gifts between family and friends. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains.

Solstice Celebrations

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and has been celebrated around the world for centuries. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice typically occurs in December, while in the Southern Hemisphere it falls in June. Common traditions include sharing meals with family and friends, decorating trees with lights, candles, and ornaments, and gathering around bonfires to share stories and songs.

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