A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor
A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor
A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor

Marymount Students’ Christmas Traditions

Alinah Shahabi ’27, Student Life Section Editor
December 17, 2025

As the holiday season approaches, Marymount students celebrate Christmas in meaningful and unique ways, each tradition reflecting family, culture, and togetherness. From festive baking to late-night church services, these traditions highlight how students bring their own stories and backgrounds into the holiday season.

Image courtesy of Simple Joy depicting a delicious gingerbread house decorated with various fun candies and gingerbread people!

Alinah S. ’27 and Kamilah S. ’26 spend Christmas Eve at our grandparents’ house, where our entire family gathers. We stay up until midnight watching movies and doing fun activities like decorating gingerbread houses to finally open presents alongside our two younger cousins, parents, tía, uncle, and grandparents as soon as midnight strikes. Our tradition centers on family togetherness and shared excitement, creating lasting memories year after year.

Emma D. ’26 and Audrey D. ’29 celebrate Christmas by spending time together in the kitchen, baking and decorating sugar cookies. What started as a fun holiday activity has become a tradition that allows them to bond, express creativity, and enjoy the simple joy of making something together during the festive season.

Image courtesy of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles depicting the pews inside a local Coptic Orthodox church, St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, located in Santa Monica.

For Emma G. ’28, Christmas is celebrated according to the Coptic Orthodox calendar, making her Christmas Eve fall on January 6, when her family attends church from 8 p.m. until midnight. After fasting and remaining pescatarian since November, they return home to enjoy a celebratory meal that includes meat. Their Christmas officially begins at midnight, flowing into January 7, making it a deeply spiritual and meaningful celebration.

Image courtesy of Butternut Bakery depicting a plethora of different Christmas-themed sugar cookies, just like the cookies Emma D. ’26 and Audrey D. ’29 make during the holidays.

Shelby S. ’26, adds a playful and memorable twist to Christmas Eve, by putting a cowbell on her dog the night before Christmas. When she wakes up on Christmas morning, the sound instantly adds excitement and laughter to wake up her parents, setting a cheerful tone for the day and making the holiday feel even more special.

Image courtesy of Rainbow Nourishment depicting delicious gingerbread cinnamon rolls, perfect for a Christmas Day treat to get into the holiday spirit.

Zoe Y. ’28 continues a beloved family tradition each Christmas by making homemade cinnamon rolls and opening presents with her grandmother. This quiet, cozy celebration emphasizes quality time and family connection, making the holiday morning especially comforting and memorable.

While each student celebrates differently, these traditions reflect the diverse ways Marymount students honor the holiday season through faith, family, food, and cherished moments spent together.