As the holidays approach, English teacher Hanna Anderson begins planning the dishes her family looks forward to each year. While she spends much of the season organizing gatherings and preparing familiar recipes, she also enjoys the time traditions allow her to spend with loved ones.
With multiple holidays approaching, Anderson shared the diversity in the meals she has with her family and friends.
“For Christmas, it’s more like a mixture and variety that come from American food but also Filipino food,” Anderson said. “During Thanksgiving, my family follows the traditional Thanksgiving items, like a turkey and mashed potatoes and all that.”
Similar to Anderson who prepares holiday dishes, junior Caylie Leiwes noticed the impact food has on creating lasting nostalgic memories.
“Whenever I picture the holidays, I immediately think of things like pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and movie nights with my family,” Leiwes said. “Pumpkin pie is special to me because I used to make it with my siblings.”
When it comes to holiday favorites, sophomore Topiltzin Ruiz shared his go-to simple dishes. For him, it is more than just liking the food but also the way it brings back past memories.
“My favorite food to eat around the holidays is usually chicken of some sort. I’m a very big chicken fan, and it’s very versatile in many dishes,” Ruiz said. “It’s a major part in a lot of dishes my mom loves to make for me, such as enchiladas. It holds a good spot in my life.”
Ruiz also highlighted that the holidays feel different in his house, where food influences almost everything.
“I live in a Mexican household, so food has been a very big part of my life and family. It sort of shapes how our family gatherings go because of food choices,” Ruiz said.
Sophomore Yaroslav Yurechvich celebrates both Thanksgiving and Russian New Year. Some traditions include dishes that are not common in most American households.
“My favorite foods are turkey and cranberry for Thanksgiving. For New Year’s, we eat Russian dishes like salad and an ‘anthill’ cake,” Yurechvich said. “It’s special because these are the few meals my family always makes.”
While food stands as staples during the holiday season, Anderson noticed how certain foods only appear once a year, adding to the importance and special feeling individuals associate with the dishes.
“These traditions matter because they carry so much meaning. Every year, people feel nostalgic for the foods that only show up during the holidays. They are special dishes,” Anderson said.
While students have different recipes and dishes that are significant to the holidays, Anderson shared that one tradition has lasted more than two decades: her holiday cake.
“I’ve been making the same cake since 2003, so it’s been over twenty years now,” Anderson said. “Skipping it isn’t an option. There was one year I didn’t make it, and everyone was so disappointed they were like, ‘How dare you?’”
Across students and teachers, the message stays the same: holiday food is not just about taste but about memories, people and traditions that return every year.
“I think food is very impactful since people have many traditions that they follow, they cook similar foods and overall, it is very welcoming for families,” Anderson said.