Christmas is a time for celebrations, presents, carols, and family. It brings everyone together to celebrate joy, hope, and peace. Children of all ages all over the world celebrate it in some form. Even here, in Cameron, everyone celebrates it. Children are excited to wake up on Christmas day to see what presents they received. Parents are excited to have their children wake them up on Christmas day and watch their shining faces as they open up their Christmas presents. Some people are excited to see what a difference they made in the lives of others during this season by donating toys to Toys For Tots, adopting a family, and much more.

 

But maybe the favorite part of the holidays for many students is all the family traditions. During the Christmas season, many families have traditions they started a long time ago and many are starting new traditions this year. The students at Cameron Schools recall their families' traditions.

 

"My family has a dinner every year and my relatives come over to spend Christmas with us," said 3^rd Grader Madision Mathis. 

 

Third Grader Emily Potts said her family also has a huge dinner every year. Another tradition a lot of people have is going to see Santa or waiting up for him on Christmas Eve.

 

Some of the Parkview students even wait for Santa. "I wait up for Santa every year," said Preschooler Sydney Taylor.

 

They also sometimes go see Santa, to sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. Those gifts might come, if the children have been nice and not naughty. "I saw Santa yesterday [Nov. 29] at Walmart and sat on his lap," said Preschooler Emma King.

 

Parkview students aren't the only ones with Christmas traditions. Middle School students also have many Christmas traditions.

 

"After dinner my cousins and I separate the presents before the adults are done eating. We sometimes watch football," said Sixth Grader Haley Evans.

 

Sixth Grader Cevin Townsend said his family also has a big dinner. They go caroling in Winston before they open presents.

 

Many of the students like Sixth Grader Scylar Polk and Sixth Grader Justin Gans go sledding with their families.

 

High school students may be the oldest students in the bunch, but their families still have Christmas traditions. "For Christmas my family and I usually stay home. We put up the tree a week or so before Christmas, but then we leave it up for a long time after that. We have a total of one big tree and a few little trees around the house. We also take family pictures," said Senior Ruth Northup.

 

Sophomore Jackie Crossland's family has a simple Christmas tradition. "We go to my aunt's house to have Christmas on Christmas eve," said Jackie. Christmas traditions may have changed over the years from when the students are in Parkveiw to when they are in high school, but that doesn't change the way Christmas means to everyone.

 

Christmas Traditions are good to have. They bring families together who have fun times and a lot of laughs. Christmas will always be a fond memory in many people's hearts. The traditions may change, but the sense of belonging and hope never will. Even though Christmas is different in all parts of the globe, it brings us together on that one day. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and any other way to say have a happy holiday.