Two Holiday Households

Split Two Ways

Two holiday households at AHS

By Trinity De La Cruz

English teacher Kay Zimmerman never really grew up religious. For her the holidays are all about culture and spending time with family. To this day she still tries to connect her son to his roots and where his family’s culture comes from. Although less on the religious side and more focused on the fun and different traditions it has to offer. She is one of the many staff and students who come from two different cultures. During the holidays things can become a bit more tricky but always fun when celebrating both of their different cultures.

“I grew up in a very Jewish town so everyone around me celebrated Jewish holidays in a more religious way than my family, so I was more aware of Judaism from my neighbors than my own father.” Zimmerman said .

Zimmerman is not a very religious person herself so her holidays are all about the traditions she grew up with. Typically people think holidays are about religion and they used to be, but it seems nowadays many different religions and cultures celebrate Christmas in the United States. “My family celebrates Christmas but also noticed our Jewish traditions and background.” Zimmerman said. In the United States Christmas like many other holidays have lost their religious background, making it more acceptable to be celebrated by others who are not of the Christan or Cathloic belief.

“My Jewish dad actually grew up with a Christmas tree in his house every year even though he was Jewish but at the same time he also had bat mitzvah and celebrated Jewish traditions,” said Zimmerman.

She grew up with a Christmas tree and also a menorah, you could say she had the best of both worlds when celebrating two different holidays. Getting to learn about your family background while also celebrating a huge holiday like everyone else.

“To this day we still light the menorah while also celebrating Christmas and all the fun traditions each of them bring during this time of year”. Zimmerman said

Now Zimmerman is only one of the many staff and students who celebrates two different holidays, Junior Jacqueline Lomeli also has two different backgrounds that celebrate the holidays a bit differently than most coming from two different backgrounds.

“ I’m half Vietnamese and half Mexican so I would have to celebrate each side of the family on two separate days, for my Mexican side we celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve and then for my Vietnamese side we celebrate on Christmas Day” Lomeli said.

Just getting each side to agree on a date so they don’t interfere is a challenge in itself. When having two different backgrounds almost everything is different from the food and traditions, and the day that you meet with each side.

“ On my Mexican side we would have different foods like hot chocolate, tamales, and soup. Then for the Vietnamese side we would do a red envelope which is somewhat like a secret santa.” Lomeli said.

Holidays are a really busy time with all the planning, buying gifts, making food, and even having to mentally prepare yourself for the family members you aren’t so excited to see. But for people with two different cultures it might be a bit more difficult. Having to plan separate events so each side can enjoy and cherish their traditions with one another is a challenge that Lomeli and other people manage each year.

“Sometimes it can be hard to find a day that everyone agrees with, but typically I’m the most busy out of my family because I have to change into different outfits multiple times and have to travel all day,” Lomeli said.

Having to wear different things to fit a certain cultural background for the holidays is even more challenging than having to just spend time with family who are all of the same background. Not everyone trying to integrate two holidays seems to find it super busy during the holidays, some just think it’s that time of year. The time of year when all the family members you don’t see regularly come to town then say how big and old you look from a few years ago. Most people go through the holidays super busy and their time stretched thin. “ I think the holidays are just busy in general no matter if you come from two different backgrounds or one.” Zimmerman explained

In general we can all agree the holidays leave us feeling broke and full. But being able to bring two cultures together is a wonderful thing for everyone all around and during the holiday season just brings out all the fun things that come with each culture. Parents bringing their kids up in a two holiday household might find it challenging at times to balance both sides equally. However it makes it all worth it when you get to see your kids enjoy both their parents traditions they grew up with.

“ I think it’s important to celebrate both sides so my son is aware of his roots and where he comes from, through conversations and traditions,” Zimmerman stated.