The holidays can be the most stressful and amazing time of the year. Getting together with loved ones and having a nice meal is certainly a highlight. Students from Platteview celebrate in all different types of ways. From having huge gatherings with tons of food to small ones with close family, and even playing ancient Austrian games about moons and sticks, the Platteview Trojans sure know how to celebrate.
Caelin Brazell, a junior, celebrates Christmas as a family. Every Christmas Eve her family plays White Elephant. She loves, “The playful banter and competition to get the best gift.” Of course spending time with family is fun, but she always loves opening her presents. For Christmas dinner they have homemade tuna chowder and various other snacks.
Kate Scheibel, a freshman, celebrates Christmas with her extended family. They all play a game called Moon Moon. They start the game around a bonfire. One player says, “Moon moon beautiful moon, two eyes, a nose, and a big smile. Is it a beautiful moon?” The other players then have to guess if the moon is indeed beautiful or ugly, and what makes it so. Kate reminisces on the game saying, “It’s so weird, but it’s really funny.” Moon Moon has been in her family for generations. To her knowledge Moon Moon has been played since her great great great grandpa and probably before him. She eats a chicken spinach dumpling covered in heavy cream and salt. She also eats a type of Austrian sausage and nukula soup. Besides Moon Moon, her favorite part of Christmas is making forts in the woods with her thirteen cousins.
Bethany Anderson, a junior, gets double the presents and double the fun. On her mom’s side Santa comes in the middle of the day. Bethany and her siblings go on a walk with their grandparents. When they got back the presents were waiting for them under the tree. When she goes to her grandparents’ house she always has Terry’s Orange Chocolates, ham with cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes. Her favorite part of Christmas is seeing her aunt, uncle and cousins. She says, “It’s pretty much the only time I get to see them, so we always do something fun.”
The Platteview Trojans all have their fun ways to celebrate the holidays. Whether it’s as a small family or a big group, eating a big feast or playing ancient Austrian games, everyone has their unique traditions. Perhaps you might adopt one.
