There are so many amazing, warm, can’t-sleep-because-we’re-too-excited holidays to celebrate and we want to acknowledge them.

Diwali

November 14, 2020

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the biggest celebrations in the Hindu community. This festival takes place over five days to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and it’s exactly the kind of celebration many could use this year.

The term Diwali specifically means row of lights and there is no shortage of these during this spiritual celebration. Whether you choose to decorate with string lights, lamps, candles, or even attend a local firework display, the power of light is never far away!

Hanukkah (Chanukah)

December 10 – 18, 2020

 Another festival of lights! This Jewish holiday is celebrated over eight nights to remember the rededication to the Jewish Temple, and the miracle of the Temple light that burned for eight days on a single day’s worth of candle oil.

One of the most widely recognized traditions of Hanukkah is to celebrate by lighting your own candles for each of the eight nights of celebrations. Another tradition that may be a bit less known but is the most delicious, is feasting on latkes! Latkes are delicious, golden brown potato pancakes that are a Hanukkah staple and are also a little bit magical, especially when served with sour cream.

Just to recap: miracles, candles, potato pancakes, family and friends. Hanukkah really knows how to do a holiday!

Christmas

December 25, 2020

You may know Christmas as the season of sparkles, twinkly lights, and traditions that make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but Christmas has some history to it as well!

Christmas began as a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Like any good birthday, this meant that friends and family traveled far and wide to come together to celebrate, share some love, and give gifts!

As Christmas became more widely celebrated by larger groups, the meaning of the holiday has evolved with it, but at its core it’s still all about spending some quality time snuggling up with your loved ones.

For many, this is what Christmas is all about: friends, family, lots of love, and of course, Michael Bublé’s Christmas album on repeat…like constantly.

Kwanzaa

December 26, 2020 – January 1, 2021

Last up this holiday season is Kwanzaa, an African American tradition celebrating friends, family, and community.

Kwanzaa packs in seven nights of celebration, each marked with the lighting of a candle in the kinara (candle holder). Each candle represents a key value of Kwanzaa: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). The secret eighth value? FOOD! From jerk chicken to sweet potato pie, you won’t be left hungry after Kwanzaa.

It’s also customary to share gifts with your loved ones on the final night of celebrations. This Kwanzaa, check out some of our favourite Black-owned brands for gifts that you won’t want to miss.

What’s your favourite holiday tradition?

Sources

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/happy-diwali-2018-what-is-diwali-and-how-to-celebrate-the-festival-of-lights-diwali/articleshow/66475100.cms
2. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/hanukkah#:~:text=The%20eight%2Dday%20Jewish%20celebration,oppressors%20in%20the%20Maccabean%20Revolt.
3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/behind-the-hanukkah-tradition-of-latkes/#:~:text=Eat%20%E2%80%93%20latkes%2C%20of%20course!,the%20oil%20associated%20with%20Hanukkah.
4. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas
5. https://www.africa.upenn.edu/K-12/Kwanzaa_What_16661.html