The winter time is commonly known in the US as "the holiday season" and not just because it includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. This is a time in which many major holiday celebrations take place like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more! In today's blog, we're going to explore some of the major holidays that are celebrated every year by people all over the country. Please let us know in the comments what winter holidays you and your family like to celebrate and some of your unique family traditions that make each year bright and fun! We always love hearing from you.

Christmas

You may have heard of this one! Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is the most popular winter holiday in the US. Common Christmas traditions include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, attending religious services, and gathering with family and friends. Seasonal music, festive lights, and holiday meals play a major role in how communities celebrate throughout December.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also called “The Festival of Lights" is a Jewish holiday that typically falls in late November or December and lasts for eight nights. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

Families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a menorah, playing traditional games like dreidel, and enjoying foods fried in oil, such as latkes. The holiday emphasizes faith, resilience, and the preservation of cultural traditions.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Created in the United States in the 1960s, Kwanzaa honors African American heritage and values. It is not a religious holiday, but rather a celebration of culture, community, and shared principles.

Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven core principles, including unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility. Celebrations often include candle lighting, storytelling, music, and reflections on heritage and identity.

Three Kings’ Day

Three Kings’ Day (also known as Día de Los Reyes in Mexico) is a celebration of the three Wise Men who gave gifts to Christ. The day, celebrated on January 6th, is a day dedicated to honoring the people who brought Christ gifts upon his birth. It marks the end of the Christmas season and for some cultures, like in South America and Spain, it means even more presents for children than Santa typically brings at Christmas!

To celebrate, families will make or buy a special cake called Rosca de Reyes, or King’s Cake. It is oval in shape and eating it is a bit of a game. In each Rosca de Reyes cake there is a little figurine hidden inside that represents the baby Jesus. The tradition states that whoever gets served the piece of cake with the figurine inside is considered very “lucky” that year and good fortune will shine upon them this year, and also they are obligated to host the next celebration, which is the Día de la Candelaria or Candlemas which takes place on February 2nd. 

Conclusion

We hope that this article about winter holidays was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would l