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Christmas Traditions: People
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Christmas traditions are well known but not always well understood. They are often brought forward as ways to stake a claim on the festival, which is something that doesn't really fit with the concept of sharing Christmas. Traditions might be interesting just in themselves, as part of the ongoing history of this celebration. Some might feel that they provide a sense of connection with the people who down the centuries have done the same kinds of things at the same time of year. Some might pick them up and put them down as fun, artistically worthwhile or generally nice things to do.
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When the Iowa State Normal School began the tradition of having an all-campus Christmas tree located in the Crossroads, students, faculty, and staff would gather around the tree and sing carols at noon for fifteen minutes. During the 1940s these impromptu gatherings evolved into the Cocoa and Carols program. The campus would celebrate the season with a week-long schedule of events. From the second through the fourth days of the week, people would gather in the evening, in the Commons Lounge, around the large decorated Christmas tree, to sing Christmas carols. And, of course, hot cocoa was served.
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In Spain, the Christmas holiday season is full of the usual Christmas festivities, but there is one tradition, not at all common elsewhere. Named "Hogueras" (bonfires), this tradition originated long before Christmas itself. It is the observance of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter. It is characterized by people jumping over fires as a symbolic protection against illness. This fire-jumping can be seen primarily in Granada and Jaen.
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