Issuu

TUSKANTIMES

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3

HOLIDAY MOVIE RECOMENDATIONS

WINTER BOOK RECOMENDATIONS

FRONT COVER:

Richard Hu ‘30

BACK COVER:

Gemma Micatrotto + Hannah Dearden ‘31

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the Winter Special Edition of the Tuskan Times, a festive sendoff before we all head into a well deserved winter break! This issue is particularly meaningful, as it marks the first publication with both of us, Allegra DiFlorio and Téa Mijatović, stepping into the role of Co-Editors-in-Chief We are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter and continue building on the Tuskan Times

We would first like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Coco Ferrari-Ross, our outgoing Editor-inChief, for her leadership and dedication that have helped shape the Tuskan Times. A special thank you also goes to Ms Hitchcock, our supervisor, whose unwavering commitment and guidance make every issue possible

This Winter Special captures the creativity, and voice of our writers as we close out the year. From holiday movie reviews to yummy holiday recipes, we hope this edition brings you warmth, and a touch of festive cheer

We are thrilled to embark on this journey as your new Editors-in-Chief and look forward to all the issues to come. Have a wonderful winter break!

Sincerely,

Téa Mijatović and Allegra DiFlorio

Editors-in-Chief

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

TÉA MIJATOVIĆ

ALLEGRA DIFLORIO

HEADOFLAYOUT

ELIOT RICHARDS

SUPERVISOR

TESS HITCHCOCK

EDITORS

ALLEGRA DIFLORIO

TÉA MIJATOVIĆ

DAVID LU

LAYOUT

ELIOT RICHARDS

CALVIN YE

SOPHIE MARTIN

GIOIA WEI

SOFIA NAVARRO

NICCOLÒ GIORGI

JUSTONEMORECAROL

By Valentina Marin ‘27

TUSCANYFORTHEHOLIDAYS

By Téa Mijatović ‘27

Santa Croce Market:

The annual German Christmas Market, or Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt, is back! From November 15th to December 21st, Piazza Santa Croce becomes a festive village of wooden cabins offering everything from pretzels, sausages, and lebkuchen to churros, Sacher torte, strudel, and much more Alongside the food stands, you can browse for winter clothing, such as scarves, mittens, jackets, or pick up holiday décor for your home, including ornaments and nutcrackers.

Mercato Nataleperfile

Held from December 12th to 14th inside Palazzo Corsini, Mercato Nataleperfile is a Christmas market organized to raise funds for the care of seriously ill patients This 22nd edition will host 30 exhibitors from sectors such as clothing accessories, home design, and beauty. There will also be four rooms dedicated to FILE (Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia) products: the File Banchi Hall (with items donated by local companies), the Vintage Room (clothing and accessories from private supporters), the Home File Room (home furnishings), and finally, the room of panettone and pandoro Over the past 23 years, FILE has helped care for more than 40,000 people

Florence Ice Village

If you would like to spend a beautiful winter day on the ice, the Florence Ice Village returns to Fortezza da Basso from November 28th to January 31st. Right beside the rink stands the giant Ferris wheel, rising 55 meters above the gardens of the Fortezza and offering a magnificent view over Florence

Florence Lights Up

Beyond the festive lights that line Florence’s streets, the #EnjoyRespectFirenze campaign projects its themes and values onto the Ponte Vecchio and the church of San Paolino, promoting awareness around the protection of the city’s heritage Additional displays brighten Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the Medici Garden of Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Florence Lights Up is a project of the Municipality of Florence, created by Fondazione MUS E in collaboration with the Metropolitan City of Florence, with support from the Ministry of Tourism through the UNESCO

From November 15th to January 6th, Arezzo transforms into the City of Christmas, or Città del Natale To fully immerse yourself in a Tuscan holiday experience, explore the Christmas markets in Piazza San Jacopo and Piazza Risorgimento, visit Santa’s House (with games, entertainment, a post office, and letter-writing stations), and enjoy the video mapping in Piazza Grande and the Palazzo Comunale Now in its tenth edition, Arezzo Christmas brings the city’s beautiful historic center to life and is an absolute must see during the holidays.

ACHRISTMASCAROLREVIEW

By Valentina Marin ‘27

In the spirit of Christmas, I have the pleasure of being involved in such a heartfelt Christmas Production I cannot be more grateful to be a part of this wonderful community within the ISF arts of Theatre and to assist the very talented Miss Kolb and Mrs. Woolcock in the making of this Christmas Carol

For many years, I always felt that I was born on stage. From my early years doing ballet, dance, and musical theatre, I always loved the feeling of performing. It has truly been a lifelong passion of mine

There’s no place I have felt more at home than on stage performing. The moment where you feel the warmth of the stage lights spotlighting you and your team, and truly having the most fun on stage

Going back into theatre after quite a break, especially since starting DP this year, feels like going home after a long holiday. Although I am not on the stage, I get to be a part of what goes around behind the curtains Being able to witness the magic unfold and to see all the development come together is such a special feeling.

Spending hours rehearsing after school every Thursday afternoon, collaborating with people during my spare time, and having weekend rehearsals is all part of the experience. Working with stage management and design, promoting the production, organising props and costumes, experimenting with lighting and sound effects, and supporting the stars in any way possible, all fulfills me with a sense of joy. It’s like the feeling of opening your advent Calendar in the early days of December, leading up to the great prize at the end The longing days and excitement all lead up to the grand reward

Another gift is having the high school band participate This just adds to the magical atmosphere full of joy and happiness.

I am so grateful that I am able to be a part of this, and hope that in the future, I will be able to continue to pursue this passion of mine despite how busy life gets

"ThankyoutoMissKolb, MrsWoolcock,theactors, andeveryoneelsewho madethisexperiencetruly extraordinary."

ASWEETTOBRIGHTENUPYOURHOLIDAYS

By Silvia Ratto ‘26

Most families, if not all of them, have traditions for the holiday seasons. Whether being games, culinary, christmas tree decorating, or more. In honour of the holidays being right around the corner, I would like to share with you mine.

My grandpa was originally from Genova and immigrated to Brazil at a young age, to settle and build his company (that still runs to this day) In Brazil, he soon built a house and family with my grandma Although far from his hometown, he brought with him many of his family traditions, especially culinary ones. My mom recalls how every year during christmas he would make his “Monte Bianco”- a chestnut based sweet with whipped cream. And every Christmas, without fail, they would have this dessert on the table, and as the years passed nothing changed And now, the recipe is still made annually during christmas to remember my grandpa and his traditions

Nonno’s Monte Bianco:

Ingredients:

For the chestnut puree:

500g of boiled chestnuts

400g of milk

Salt

120g of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

20g of cocoa powder

50ml of rum

For the decoration:

400g of heavy whipping cream

Powdered sugar

Cocoa powder

A few chestnuts

Recipe:

1.To prepare the Mont Blanc, rinse the chestnuts under running water and then cut the skins with a sharp knife. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and add the chestnuts. Cook for about 30 minutes, then turn off the heat. Wear oven gloves to avoid burns and peel the chestnuts, also removing the brown skin that adheres to the fruit under the skin. Discard any chestnuts that are dull or damaged.

2 Put the chestnuts in a pan, with the milk, the sugar, the vanilla and a pinch of salt

3 Cook this mixture for around 30 minutes, until the milk has shrunk, mixing it every now and then

4 Once you have obtained a nice thick cream, blend it to completely remove the chestnut pieces

5.To this mixture add the cocoa powder and the rum. Mix well.

6.Transfer the mixture into a bowl and put it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

7.Meanwhile, whip the cream with an electric mixer until whipped cream texture. Add the powdered sugar and mix Add the whipped cream to a piping bag

8 Take the chestnut puree and mash it using a potato masher You should obtain spaghetti-like shapes that will form the "mountain" of our dessert

9.We garnish with tufts of whipped cream, starting from the base and then going up to the top. We decorate with some chestnuts, placing them at the base and adding one on top.

10.Lastly, we sift some cocoa powder on top to decorate. And voilá!

PENTATONIXANDTHEIRRISETOFAME

By Sophie Martin ‘27

The Grammy-winning a cappella group, Pentatonix, assembled back in 2011, has grown to become a world-wide name heard during the holiday season due to their takes in modern holiday music. Even though they originally gained attraction for their winning of The Sing-Off, the true beginning of their success was when they began to release Christmas albums Today, the group is proudly able to say they are one of the top Christmas-music groups across the globe, considering that their holiday songs have gained billions of streams and have become seasonal staples for many

A considerable amount of Pentatonix’s fame comes from their more modern takes on classic Christmas songs. For example, their own version of “Hallelujah”, while never previously considered to be a holiday song, has become one of the group’s most iconic winter releases, and it’s all due to the emotional harmonies and powerful arrangement that the group is able to create. Another favorite from Pentatonix, “Mary Did You Know?”, shows the group’s capability to merge simplicity with rich vocal layers, which generate a version that many listeners have correlated with Christmas.

Since the group has come about, they have released numerous Christmas albums, with each one helping to establish their identity as the “soundtrack of the holidays ” Today their music can be heard in malls, schools, commercials, Christmas parties, and family gatherings throughout the holiday season. All of the success that Pentatonix has acquired throughout the years shows us listeners how these timeless Christmas songs are able to become new again when they are performed by a group that is able to put their own creative, emotional spin on each song, giving powerful vocal talent as well

Due to their unique style of creating music, Pentatonix has gained the ability to influence the modern Christmas genre, making their group a cherished part of the holiday season.

“Pentatonixhasgainedtheability toinfluencethemodernChristmas genre,makingtheirgroupa cherishedpartoftheholiday season. “

MACY’STHANKSGIVINGPARADE

By Roma Anthony ‘27

This year was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 100th anniversary with the iconic tradition starting in 1924. The director of creative production, Brendan Kennedy, revealed that the preparation for the 100th parade was in the process before the 99th parade even happened last year. Originally, the parade was organized to celebrate the winter season and bring attention to the store’s merchandise through the floats. In addition to this, during the earlier years of the event, the parade even included live animals, such as tigers, bears and camels, which were borrowed from the zoo However, in 1928, the animals were replaced with balloons due to safety concerns. In addition to this, the parade was initially aimed more towards Christmas in order to increase demand for Christmas shopping. Over time, it changed its objective to be catered more towards the American tradition of thanksgiving, but it nevertheless continues to maintain and incorporate the theme of Christmas into each parade, which preserves the origin of the event For this year's parade, 6 new floats were added with some returning due to popular demand such as a Stranger Things themed float by Netflix and The Land of Ice & Wonder by Holland America Line. As for the performers, the parade included 28 performers, 11 marching bands, 33 clown crew and 9 performance groups including Wicked star, Cynthia Erivo, as the opening performance. As it was the 100th anniversary this year, the parade truly incorporated the origin of how the tradition was first initiated and most popular floats over the years into this one parade, making it one of the biggest and most memorable they’ve had throughout the years

CHRISTMASINMEXICO

By Sofia Navarro ‘28

As December arrives in Mexico, the streets begin to be filled with colors, flowers, music, and celebrations that mixes faith, family, and traditions. Mexico has many Christmas traditions especially due to Catholicism. Christmas has a deep trait of popular religiosity. Here are 4 fun and Mexican Christmas traditions that occur every year and are cherished for generations

The Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon

This is one of the most well known Christmas traditions in Mexico. It lasts many days, starting on the 12th of December and continuing to January 6th. This is a seven day celebration. The first day is called Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe This day honors and celebrates the Lady of Guadalupe, who is a Catholic saint, and some people even call her the queen of Mexico. People also believe that she performs miracles and answers anyone's prayers. On this day, there is a religious feast filled with festive and joyful vibes Mexicans set off fireworks, watch parades in different cities, and enjoy numerous music performances. One of the most important things about this day is the food; the most common food eaten on this day is called Buñuelos They're thin layers of buttery pastry with rich and gooey honey syrup on top, although they are not directly linked to the Virgin of

Guadalupe. The next event is from the 16th to the 24th of December called las posadas. It's a nine day celebration where every day people celebrate and break piñatas December 24th is Nochebuena, also known as Christmas Eve, when everyone goes to midnight mass. The next day is Christmas where everyone rests and spends time with

their families. On December 28th, Día de los Santos Inocentes occurred. It's similar to April Fools Day, where you can play fun and harmless pranks on your friends and family

December 31 and January 1st are the beginning of a New Year. Families gather together to welcome the year ahead The last day of this marathon is on January 6th, called Día de Reyes Magos This day honors the three wise men who were with Mary when Jesus was born. Kids receive gifts and families eat rosca de reyes.

Las Posadas

Like I mentioned on the second day of The Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon, Las Posadas is an event that happens for nine days From December 16th to New Years, children perform the Posadas. There are nine posadas, each one representing each month of Virgin Mary’s pregnancy . Houses in Mexico are covered with evergreens, moss, and paper lanterns, creating a luminary look that forms a pathway for Joseph and Mary to walk. It's like their journey while trying to find a place to stay. A group of children walk around Mexico with candles and pictures or figures of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, or they dress up as them Every day they walk around and sing while trying to find a house Each day is hosted by a different house where people party, eat, pray, and play games. Although some houses might say there is no room, you don't give up and keep going until you find a house On the final day of the Posada a manger and shepherd are added and you place baby Jesus in the manger. Later that night, you attend midnight mass.

Piñata Games

“Dale, dale, dale No pierdas el tino, porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino,” is the lyric of the song Mexicans sing when they hit the piñata. A piñata is usually made out of cardboard or balloons, and is decorated with bright colors of paper, mâché, and clay They can be in whatever shape Traditionally, piñatas were made of clay pots called “ ollas,” but they wanted to make it safer for children which is why they're made of cardboard. For Christmas people usually make it a circle with seven peaks around the ball to represent the seven deadly sins. Breaking the piñata symbolizes overcoming the sins The inside is always hollow and filled with sweets and the release of the sweet treats shows blessings and rewards for breaking the evil.

This game is generally played by kids but sometimes the adults will help break it All the kids line up in a row taking turns hitting the piñata The trick is that the piñata is hung by a rope and someone moves the rope to make the piñata move up and down making it harder for them to hit the piñata Another trick is that you're blindfolded and spun a few times, so when you go to hit it, you lose your balance and try to find it. When someone breaks the piñata, all the kids run to get all the candy. This game is not only played at Christmas but is also played at birthday parties

Nacimientos

Nacimientos, also known as nativity scenes, are very popular in Mexico Nacimientos are figures that can be big or small. The figures include Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, baby Jesus, shepherds, and sometimes animals like donkeys and camels and some also have angels

This is supposed to represent what the scene looked like when Jesus was born. Mexico is very well known as a Catholic country so this is a very important decoration and tradition in Mexico. Every house has at least one Some have large ones outside while others have smaller ones on a shelf in their house. They are often made out of clay and passed down through generations,and can also be bought at markets or shops. Some people like to add the figures on the day that everything happened They start on the 16th of December when Mary and Joseph arrive at the place; baby Jesus is added on Christmas Eve or Christmas, and the Three Kings are added at Epiphany. In many places in Mexico, putting together the nacimiento is a very fun family activity that can bring your family together

THEHOLIDAYTHATMAKESFASHION SPARKLE

By Emma Rossi ‘28

Christmas has always been most people's favorite holiday, kids open gifts, we spend time with our families, and it's a time we can celebrate and wear our best clothes. Traditional colors pop out during the Christmas season, colors like red, green and gold are the most seen both on runways and in exclusive capsules that brands release especially for this holiday

Brands like Ermanno Scervino created a capsule collection called holiday edit, that was based on white and gold, making looks much more festive, and giving a touch of extravaganza to collections that are probably more concentrated on a daily wear. The market in fashion also tends to be rewarded by the holiday season. Christmas isn't only a holiday, it's a pure market engine During this period, brands all tend to market and advertise their new collections through Christmas themed images, and campaigns. This is done explicitly since big brands know the importance of this holiday around the world and the importance of this period of time in the business industry Campaigns usually include themes that evoke special and joyful emotions, such as joy, nostalgia or the sense of family to make people more attracted to purchasing during this time of the year

Christmas gives a strong boost to the fashion industry, increasing sales of festive and seasonal clothing. During this period, demand grows for specific holiday trends like novelty sweaters and sparkly outfits, while retailers use discounts and special in-store experiences to encourage spending However, these shopping habits also contribute to fashion waste, as many of the items bought for the season end up being worn only once. In conclusion, Christmas stands as both a cultural celebration and a powerful driver for the fashion industry The season fuels creativity, inspires festive collections, and boosts sales through emotionally charged campaigns. It's a season that boosts joy and makes everyone shine both in the inside and outside.

O P I N I O N

HOLIDAYMOVIERECOMENDATIONS

By Allegra DiFlorio ‘27

The winter is getting colder, the festive lights are up in town and many people are returning home, remaining indoors which means one thing and one thing only: HOLIDAY MOVIES are back in season! Getting into the festive spirit is almost as fun as the actual holidays themselves, and with winter festivities quickly approaching, here are the

“TOP5HOLIDAYMOVIES (rankedrandomly)tohelp

2. Elf - This adorable story follows Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, when he is accidentally brought to the North Pole as a child and raised as an elf Once an adult, he returns to the human world to find his birth father, a grumpy New York businessman, and create a connection with him. This film is pure genius and is the perfect lighthearted holiday film It had me laughing the entire time!

1. Home Alone - A charming movie about an eight year old kid, Kevin, left home alone after his family left to travel for Christmas After foiling a clever plan, Kevin then has to defend his home against two burglars in this hilarious Christmas comedy. It is such a classic and I always recommend it!

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Charlie Brown always offers a realistic perspective on all things having to do with life, and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ is no different From discussing the overwhelming materialism seen around the season, to directing a Christmas play, to picking out the perfect Christmas tree, Charlie Brownwith the help of his friends - discovers the true meaning of Christmas I love Charlie Brown

4. Love Actually (R RATED) - "If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around" What better to watch during the holidays than people in love! ‘Love Actually’ follows eight couples, whose stories are loosely interconnected, set in December as they prepare for Christmas in London.

5. Christmas Chronicles - ‘Christmas Chronicles’ follows siblings, Kate and Teddy, as they hatch a plan to catch Santa Clause in action. When their plan both works and fails, they get roped into an adventure with Santa Clause and his elves to save Christmas! ‘Christmas Chronicles’ has lots of adventure and excitement but is also emotional and heartfelt at times, making it a great unconventional Christmas movie to watch with the family.

Happy holidays to everyone!

WINTERBOOKRECOMENDATIONS

By Ms. Andis

'Tis that time of the year!

A time when many of us get the privilege of dividing our time with loved ones during all the lovely festivities, and a time when we can steal a little respite for ourselves, particularly through reading all sorts of wonderful books Reading can feel very personal, especially when we are transported to a far off place that differs greatly from our lived experiences. However, reading can also be a highly visible, shared experience within a family or amongst close friends in a book club.

As we approach a well-deserved holiday break--a true respite from the harried schedules and demands of school and work life--we are presented with activities long ago shelved till time was less fleeting As a librarian, this time of year is most enticing

This time of year, in terms of one's reading life, is akin to a coach's final win in the playoffs, a musician's perfectly placed notes for a spectacular performance, or a climber's last leg on a dream peak This time of year is when great literature shines most brightly. Truly great reading adventures not only transfix a reader but also transform them.

Summertime reading is really the dessert of reading--a time of saccharine-type books--but wintertime books are more like a main course: deeply satiating reads that hold us over till we meet another one that fills the void on a cold, cuddly night

For anyone looking for a wonderful book--either as a family, in a book club, or for one's own consumption--feel free to check out some of these great recommendations in the form of podcasts and websites:

Websites with Book Recommendations: NPR's Books We Love Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Book Browse

Podcasts: What Should I Read Next? All The Books

Wishing all an amazing winter break filled with book adventures!

Your friendly librarian, Ms Andis

M I D D L E S C H O O L

WINTERHOLIDAYSAROUNDTHEWORLD

By Mila Applebaum ‘30

People around the world celebrate many different holidays during the winter season To learn about these traditions I interviewed students and faculty who celebrate Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Ramadan, and Chinese New Year. I asked each person the same 5 questions to understand what their holiday means to them This article shares what I learned about these holidays and how they are celebrated

Here are the questions I asked:

1.What is the central meaning or purpose of this holiday for you and your community?

2 Could you describe a traditional or special meal, dish, or treat that is always part of your celebration?

3.What is the most unique or distinctive family tradition you observe during the holiday, and how did it originate?

4 How do you or your family prepare your home or community space for the holiday

5.If you had to choose one word to describe the feeling or atmosphere of the holiday, what would it be, and why?

Hanukkah: Hanukkah is the eight-day Festival of Light celebrated by Jews all around the world on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (late November or December) It celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek oppressors who took over the country of Israel

For the duration of the holiday a candle is lit everyday on the menorah to represent the miracle that happened many centuries ago The Jews went to relight the Temple's menorah in Jerusalem but they only found enough oil for one day. Miraculously the oil lasted for eight days.

Phinn Hickler (G6):

1 To me Hanukkah means remembering our ancestors and making us a stronger family, a stronger community. When we celebrate, we come together.

2.We eat latkes, which are potato pancakes, and we also eat these jam breads, like donuts but kind of different

3 We play a dreidel game where we get chocolate coins called gelt.t's kind of like a poker game, except you only rely on a dreidel. It's kind of like a dice and you spin it. Depending on which side you land on, that's how much chocolate you get

4.We have a candle holder called a menorah. One candle is the shamash which you use to light the other candles. There are eight candles for eight days, and once the eight candles are done, the holiday is done We also get one present for each day and use Hannukahthemed wrapping paper.

5.It would be happiness, probably, because you get to be so grateful that you have a special life and you can think about how your ancestors used to suffer and how you’re having this luxury compared to them.

Diwali: Diwali is the Festival of Lights celebrated in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik ( between midOctober and mid-November) It originated in India and for many people honours the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The lamps which decorate people’s homes are said to help the Goddess find her way into them and bring prosperity into the new year

Mr. Mishra (Head of Mathematics Department):

1.This is a Hindu festival and people believe that Lord Rama came back but in the modern context it has more to do with harvesting because this is the time of the change of season and agriculture It's also considered to be a victory of good over evil.

2.Regarding special meals, there are some sweets which are made from the new crop.

3 Families come together because it's a long festival holiday which is about 5 days long and they put lights everywhere and there are firecrackers.

4.During the time of Diwali most people clean their houses because they believe that during this time the goddess of wealth is going to visit them

5 Maybe getting together family fun and food

c h commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians all around the world. For non-Christians Christmas is a cultural holiday celebrating themes like family, the ‘spirit of giving’ and the mythical figure of Santa .

Eric Iovan (G8)

1 For me Christmas means to have fun and spend time with my family

2.We eat sarmale. It's a Romanian dish with cabbage. It's kind of like a spring roll but boiled.

3.One of our family traditions is singing to our grandparents and they give us money for it

4 We clean up all the old stuff from our house and decorate with Christmas decorations.

5.One word that represents Christmas for me is family since we all get together.

Ramadan: Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days, marking the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this time Muslims commemorate the revelation of the holy Qur’an which is a sacred scripture believed to be Allah’s final testament. Fasting during this time from pre-dawn to sunset is mandatory for every muslim in good health and above a certain age. The goal of fasting is to ‘gain greater God-consciousness’ by practicing self restraint and discipline.

Reem Fonati (G9)

1.The month of Ramadan is the month of purification and cleansing your body and soul. It's not only about abstaining from food and beverages but it’s fundamental to abstain your soul from negative energy and judgment

2.Traditionally muslims break their fast with dates though in Lebanon I have always noticed that muslims break their iftar with soup and fatouche

3 At least in my family before breaking your iftar it’s necessary to do something for other people. For instance sharing your meal with someone in need.

4 My family and I use lanterns, Ramadan banners, crescent moons, stars and a cosy prayer corner in order to decorate

5.Gratified since we put ourselves in the shoes of less fortunate people by fasting and getting to know them and their experiences.

Chinese New Year: Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the year on the lunar calendar and welcomes Spring. It celebrates family, new beginnings, cultural heritage and more. Each year is connected to one of 12 zodiac animals with 2026 being the year of the horse The festival is celebrated with fire crackers to scare away evil spirits, red envelopes containing money which bring good luck and whole family meals.

Tony Zhang (G6)

For me it means one year finished and a new one is starting.

We eat dumplings with meat and vegetables, spring rolls and rice with our family.

We eat with our grandparents and do fireworks with them

We clean the house from old things and decorate with red lanterns.

One word for Chinese New Year is relax because we don't go to school and get to be with our family

While interviewing all these people from different backgrounds and religions I have learned so much about their culture and celebrations, much more than I could have learned by just searching online Learning about different traditions is important because it helps us understand and respect people with different cultures and beliefs. It also helps us see that even though we celebrate different holidays we still share similar values of family, community, tradition and kindness