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Holiday Traditions from Around the World

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  • Student Life
Holiday Traditions from Around the World
Students in the Newspaper and Media class explore and celebrate the rich diversity of holiday traditions through personal stories, customs, and meaningful memories shared by their peers. Together, these articles showcase how traditions connect cultures, families, and the Fryeburg Academy community during the holiday season.
 

From Braais to Belonging: South African Traditions

by Holym Han '26
While much of the world associates December with cold, misty snowfalls, South Africa experiences the opposite. Instead of winter coats and frozen streets, the holiday season arrives with heat and a full embrace of summer. "First things first, in South Africa it's Dezemba," said Aidan Taljaard, a senior student from South Africa. "And it's really hot out there," he said, "it's the middle of summer."

December marks South Africa's long summer break, a time when school and work pause, giving families finally time to relax. According to Taljaard, Dezemba is when people travel, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the outside weather. "This is when people travel and do fun stuff." Indeed, winter temperatures in South Africa in popular coast-side tourist locations such as Cape Town and Durban are as high as 77~ 90F degrees according to Google, making it a perfect place for a summer vacation. He adds, "Dezemba is almost like the South African reset Button."

However, the tradition of Christmas still finds its presents (haha) in South Africa, as families gather together to celebrate the holidays with what Taljaard describes as "the normal Christmas stuff "just minus the snow and cold. 

At the heart of this "normal" Christmas celebration is the Braai, a South African delicacy. Although it may resemble a barbecue, Taljaard was clear to dismiss that claim. "It's not a BBQ, it's a braai," he says. "So don't call it BBQ." Braai is also known as shisanyama, meaning "burnt meat". To him and many others, Braai represents more than just food. Cooked slowly over a grill and shared for hours, it emphasizes social interaction and community, which are fundamental parts of South African culture. 

English Holiday Traditions: Old Customs, New Cheer

by Sy Stevens '27
Kai Cannon-Steele is a junior day student here at Fryeburg Academy, who was born in Stevenage, England. He spent his early years across the pond before his family moved to Maine. Kai and his family have since kept the English holiday spirit alive, with traditional celebrations and occasional trips back to their home country. England shares several cultural traditions with the United States, including decorative practices and certain foods. However, Kai shares that even though there are similarities, the holidays in England are really quite different. 
 
One example is the unique holiday food of England. While England isn't necessarily known for food, holiday fare can be really quite good. Kai described Christmas pudding as the "classic" holiday dish of England. Christmas pudding is a boiled dessert typically consisting of dried fruit, spices, and sometimes wine or liquor. Kai recalls a time when he, as a young boy, was told that the Christmas pudding he was eating had alcohol in it: "I thought I was going to get really drunk." Fortunately, the alcohol is always baked off in Christmas pudding. 
 
After the Christmas celebrations in England, you'd find yourself on Boxing Day. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas and serves as a kind of chill, relaxing day after a possibly hectic Christmas. You might find yourself watching some sports, or maybe snacking on yesterday's leftovers. The day is also of historical significance. It was commonly the day off for working-class people who worked on Christmas Day.
 
The holidays in England hold a few similarities to those in the States, but they truly are a one-of-a-kind experience. As Americans and students at Fryeburg Academy, it's important to recognize the unique cultural backgrounds of our peers. 
 

A Simple, Meaningful Christmas in Maine

by Thomas Gilmore-Merritt '27

For Carter Verney ’28, who lives here in Maine, the holidays are defined by spending them with his family. “Last year with my mom, we got stranded trying to get last-minute Christmas gifts in Conway.” His family traditions are simple but meaningful. “My family likes to make each other gifts. Last year, we all made personalized Christmas ornaments for each other. These homemade gifts are a highlight of the holidays for him, adding a personal touch and a sense of connection. 

Food is another big part of the season, with everyone looking forward to their own favorite holiday dish. “My family every year has a big dinner on Christmas Eve, and my favorite dish is probably the lobster my mom makes.” Overall, the average Christmas here in Maine is full of local traditions, as well as personal and family ones, giving each family a different sense of what makes the holidays special and unique.

Bringing Türkiye’s Traditions to Fryeburg

by Lilia Vishnyakov '26
Ayten Soylemez is a senior from Türkiye. She came to the Academy for her sophomore year and, since then, has experienced a variety of Christmas and holiday traditions. In her home country, the new year is celebrated on January 1st, during which families exchange food and presents. At Fryeburg, Ayten has been able to carry part of that tradition with her to the class picnic, with everyone bringing different Turkish dishes to share. Things such as cookie decorating and a Yankee Swap have been new experiences for Ayten, and she says, "I am really glad that I got the chance to try them.”
  • Traditions