The countdown has begun, with only two weeks left until the Holiday season. Many Riverdale students and faculty are excited to set up their Christmas trees, Hanukkah menorahs, or Kwanzaa kinaras to celebrate their favorite fun traditions! Here are some of Riverdaleís holiday traditions:
Riverdale science teacher Ms. Laura Monti celebrates the ìNight of the Seven Fishes.î Ms. Montiís family ancestry traces back to Italy where it is customary to prepare seven fish dishes on Christmas Eve, symbolizing auspicious events and places in the Catholic faith. Ms. Monti ës family has added a playful modern twist to this tradition by creating a shark-shaped charcuterie board with real fish, such as shrimp, and other fish-resembling products like Swedish Fish and Goldfish Crackers, complemented by octopus-shaped ice cubes. Ms. Monti calls it her ìíshark-cuterieí board.î
Sophomore Olivia Kaplan celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas. Olivia starts by celebrating Hanukkah with her parents and siblings, enjoying festive food and singing traditional Hanukkah prayers for eight days as her family lights the candles. Afterward, Oliviaís motherís side of the family comes to her house to celebrate Christmas with Italian food. Together, her family watches a Christmas movie, usually Home Alone, followed by opening gifts by the Christmas tree.
Photography teacher and The Riverdale Reviewís faculty advisor Mr. Mihok has a longstanding tradition with his wife, where they both place an orange fruit in each otherís stockings along with other gifts.
Holiday traditions, no matter the occasion, bring families together. The Riverdale Review wishes you a great season full of holiday traditions!
