Holidays play an important role in uniting family members, friends and the community. Many people look forward to their annual Christmas traditions, as they provide a way to bond with loved ones and get into the holiday spirit. 

     As Dec. 25 approaches, Penn-Trafford students and staff shared what their favorite holiday traditions are, and how the Covid-19 outbreak is impacting the way they celebrate.  

         Senior Ethan Carr said he still plans to spend time with his friends and family, and have an ugly christmas sweater party, and   Reaunna Bumbaugh’s favorite tradition is to make Christmas cookies with her sister. Bumbaugh says she makes snowball cookies, chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread 

cookies, lemon bars, and pumpkin twinkle cake. 

     Gathering with family members is a tradition for many students and staff, but this year many are concerned about whether or not they will be able to. Students Sophia Cordray and Ryan Crombie said they normally get together with their families to have dinner and exchange gifts. However, both say they may just celebrate with immediate family, so there are less people this year.  

     Math teacher Ashley Fronk said, “Our usual bigger family gatherings won’t be as big this year but we still hope to keep most of our traditions going so that we don’t feel like we are missing out on the holidays.” She added that some of her favorite holiday traditions are baking and decorating sugar cookies with her grandma, watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and spending time with family.

     For student Joey Casciato, one of his Christmas traditions is to go to his Great Grandmother’s on Christmas Eve to do the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian American celebration of Christmas Eve. Like many others, Casciato is unsure if he will go this year because of Covid. 

       Even though it is a difficult time for many, students are still looking forward to their traditions.  

     “One of my favorite things I look forward to is going to my grandparents house with my whole family on Christmas day,” said freshman Ian Temple. 

     Like Temple, freshman Brody Hoffmann also goes to his grandmother’s house after his family attends mass.

     “I also like to make cookies with my mom and sister to give to our family and friends.” He added that this year there is the possibility of families streaming mass, due to Covid restrictions. Both Temple and Hoffmann anticipate lower numbers for their holiday plans. 

     Like most others, senior Falyn Lakly stresses the difficulty of getting everyone together this year. Lakly said that during the holiday season she enjoys driving around to see Christmas lights and spending time with friends and family. 

     A survey sent to each grade level makes it apparent that for most individuals Covid-19 has changed their holiday plans this year. More than 80 percent of students are anticipating that their holiday traditions will be significantly impacted.               

     However, some students and staff members do not plan to change their traditions for this holiday season. 

     According to history teacher Dan Edgerly,  :I don’t have too many Christmas traditions but I love to eat sugar cookies, watch Christmas movies, and drive around to see the different Christmas lights.” Edgerly’s plans for the holidays can continue as normal. 

         This year’s holiday traditions are certainly looking a little different for many of Penn-Trafford’s students and staff members,  but that is not stopping everyone from celebrating Christmas. There is still plenty of cheer and holiday spirit happening throughout the community. 

Staff Editor, Madison Klobucar