Holiday traditions are unique for every family. Traditions that pop up most frequently around the holidays are commonly based around foods. Like a fingerprint, holiday celebrations are different for every family, whether they have cultural significance or have been passed down for generations. All these families enjoy their meals and are pleased to sit down, and spend time together. The holiday season is upon us and to celebrate Yorktown students shared some of their favorite family or cultural based food traditions.

Sophomore Will Porter has a tradition of preparing and feasting on cinnamon rolls on Christmas Day. The tradition started before Porter’s recollection. This sweet treat, generally prepared by his mother, is a special and much anticipated part of the day for the entire Porter household.

“The significance of this is that cinnamon rolls are very good and we do not eat them any other day of the year,” Porter said.

Another student who had a similar tradition to Porter is sophomore Ryan Soh. The Soh family has the tradition of eating coffee cake.

“My mom’s grandma used to make it for my mom, and now my family does it, Soh said, “Not only does my family participate in this tradition, my mom’s siblings do it as well.”

This delectable treat has kept Soh and his family full for generations and Soh hopes this tradition will continue throughout his all the Soh descendants.

Jewish sophomore Jonah Margosis explained how latkes are eaten everyday on Chanukah.

“Jews started eating latkes thousands of years ago to symbolize Chanukah and it also symbolizes how the oil that was supposed to last for one day ended up lasting for eight,” Margosis said.

This is the reason that Chanukah is celebrated for eight days straight. Though other holidays are more significant and meaningful to the Jewish community, Chanukah and Latkes have been a favorite in their households for thousands of years.

Cadyn Westhoff also has a Christmas day breakfast tradition. At the Westhoff household, they always enjoy waking up to french toast prepared by their grandma.

“The recipe was found by my grandma and it is called ‘Twas the night before French toast’ in a cookbook, and it takes about an hour to cook. It has always made Christmas Eve,” Westhoff said.

Everyone in her family is excited to wake up to this delicious meal. This tradition has no religious significance, but is a great way to start Christmas.

Holidays are events we all look forward to and are not the same without the foods we eat and spending time with the people we care about. Traditional dishes may differ, but the love for the holidays is substantial worldwide.  

If you are interested in any of these recipes check out Louisa Currie’s article.