Something to Celebrate - Festive Feasts & Gifts Across the Holidays

By Caitlin Ogden

Every year, after the leaves have fallen and the air’s turned colder, friends and family gather to celebrate the late autumn and winter holidays. For some, that means decorating a fresh evergreen Christmas tree. For others, it means lighting the candles on the menorah and passing on the stories and traditions of an ancient faith. Some holidays happen at the same time every year, while others shift throughout the season. Whether you celebrate Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas or just have a big Friendsgiving, the shortening days are marked the world over by celebrations that include friends, family, food and gifts.

The concept of autumn and winter celebrations is as old as agriculture itself. For early civilizations, the period immediately following the harvest marked a time during which resources were at their most plentiful. After the hard work of the growing season, and to gird themselves against the harsh winter, early humans likely wanted to kick back and indulge every bit as much as modern humans.

Christmas Classics

By now, many of us know the stories behind the evolution of the modern Christmas celebration, and how it borrows from other, earlier traditions, such as the Roman Saturnalia lasting from Dec. 17 to 24 on the Julian calendar. And Norse and Germanic traditions persist, in the decorating of the Christmas tree or the burning of the “Yule” log, a term derived from the Old English word, . g eol, which etymologists believe evolved from ancient Norse.

Diwali

However, the Christian holiday isn’t the only winter celebration with traditions stretching back through time. Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, has been celebrated by multiple religions for at least 2,500 years. The festival, the date of which varies based on the Hindu calendar, typically falls in October or November; this year, Diwali begins on Nov. 14.

The festival lasts for five days, and is observed in Hindu, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. Diwali traditions vary slightly between the four religions and by region in India and wherever its observers live. The earliest mentions of the festival appear in Sanskrit texts from the Indian subcontinent. While the details differ depending on the religion of the celebrant, Diwali’s general themes focus on the victory of light, good and knowledge over darkness, evil and ignorance. It is a time to celebrate prosperity, with feasting and gift-giving, and often involves decorating homes with special candles and lights.

Mawlid

In many subsects of Islam, Mawlid or Mawlid an-Nabi marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. While the date varies, by the Islamic calendar and whether the celebrant is of Sunni or Shi’a faith, it occurs in late October, and was celebrated from Oct. 28 to 29 this year. While many Sunni Muslim populations are moving away from the holiday, it is recognized as a public holiday in most countries with large Islamic populations, including Canada. There are variations to Mawlid celebrations around the world, but common themes include large parades, lighting of candles and decorating the home and the reading of poems about the life of Muhammad, both at home and in mosques.

Creative Hat / Freepik.com

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, lasting eight days and nights, is the Jewish festival of lights. It also has a roving date on the Gregorian calendar, also known as the standard modern calendar, and falls on the 25th day of Kislev on