Although the past year of COVID-19 has already taken away holiday celebrations and spending time with family , those traditions feel even further removed while we are away at college. As we pass the spring holiday season with Passover and Easter (and more!), here are some things I’ve found make the most out of this time.
- Talk to others about your holiday traditions
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I gain so much fulfillment from teaching people new things especially about my religion and culture. There is always a new story to tell and show your friends and peers how you celebrate your family traditions. Although those traditions may not be happening normally this year, talking about past times and celebrations you love is the perfect way to honor those memories and bring back the warm feeling of the holidays.
- Learn about a new culture or tradition from a friend
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While teaching others is important, the same is for listening to your friends about their experiences and being curious about other cultures! Being knowledgeable about all sorts of religions is a wonderful way to bond with others and create unity in your communities. You can even be part of a friend’s family tradition which can be so special and mean a lot to everyone involved. If it weren’t for sharing cultural ideas, I wouldn’t know about delicious Irish potatoes (for St. Patrick’s day) and my roommate wouldn’t have seen The Prince of Egypt (about the Passover story)!
- Zoom or call family and reminisce on past years of holidays
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One fortunate thing that has come out of this year is the power to unite virtually with family and friends around the world without all physically being in the same place. If possible, it can be amazing to see your family all together over Zoom, like you would on a normal holiday. The most important part of traditions are the people there to celebrate them with, and in some cases, you may have not seen those people in a while because of college. This reunion will feel so special and will honor the holiday in a unique way.
- Make new traditions
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This can be as simple as gathering with your friends to tell stories about your families or starting an annual dinner together to bring a sense of family and togetherness into this season! Finding a community at your home away from home can be an amazing feeling and there is never a bad time to start a new tradition and to make happy new memories.