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DIWALINovember 12-16, 2020

“The Festival of Lights” is a 2,500-year-old celebration for Hinduism commemorating the victory of good over evil. Celebrated over five days, Diwali includes traditions such as cleaning and lighting the home with lamps, setting off fireworks, praying, visiting family and friends, and feasting.

“On the first day of Diwali, we shower, eat something bitter and then eat a traditional sweet to bid goodbye to the bad and start new. We pray, make sweets and before sundown light diyas (clay pots) all around the house, windows and front doors.” ~ Keyuri Parab Scotti (Epsilon Lambda, The University of Texas at Arlington)

Wish a sister who celebrates “Happy Diwali” or “Shubh Diwali” (Hindi).

BODHI DAYDecember 8, 2020 (for Japanese Buddhists) or January 20, 2021 (for Buddhists following the lunar calendar – the eighth day of the 12th lunar month)

This Buddhist holiday recognizes the day the Buddha achieved enlightenment (translated as bodhi in Sanskrit) after forsaking his material lifestyle and committing to meditation to seek answers regarding suffering. For this day, celebrants study the Dharma, light candles, meditate and share kindness with others.

CHRISTMASDecember 25, 2020 (also a federal holiday) or January 7, 2021 (for Eastern Orthodox Christians, primarily Russian, following the Gregorian calendar)

While this holiday today may be marked by secular traditions, it has its root in Christianity. The day recognizes the birth of Jesus, on whose teachings and life many Christian faiths are based. Religious traditions include attending church and sharing meals with family and friends, and popular customs for this federal holiday also include decorating a tree, singing carols and waiting for Santa Claus to deliver toys to children.

“My mom, who is also an Alpha Chi Omega, and I have a tradition of making homemade lefse (a traditional Norwegian flatbread) every year when I come home for the holidays for Christmas.” ~Allison Walker (Alpha Omicron, The Ohio State University)

Wish a sister who celebrates “Merry Christmas,” or “S rozhdyestvom Hristovym” (Russian).

KWANZAADecember 26, 2020 – January 1, 2021

Created in 1966 as a way to bring African Americans together, the cultural holiday is linked to several harvest celebrations in Africa. Activities include singing, dancing and lighting one candle each night to symbolize and reflect on the seven principles, which are ideals of African culture that contribute to community.

Wish a sister who celebrates “Happy Kwanzaa” or “Habari Gani” (Swahili for “What is the news?”).

A L P H A C H I O M E G A S C O M E F R O M A L L B A C K G R O U N D S A N D W A L K S O F L I F E . T A K E S O M E T I M E T O L E A R N A B O U T W I N T E R H O L I D A Y S F R O M V A R I O U S F A I T H S A N D C U L T U R E S A N D H O W S I S T E R S C E L E B R A T E !

Wish a sister who celebrates “Happy Bodhi Day,” “Blessed Bodhi Day” or the appropriate translation in the language she speaks.

HANUKKAHDecember 10-18, 2020

An eight-day celebration for Judaism, the holiday commemorates the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of menorah candles staying lit for eight nights with only a day’s worth of oil. Traditions include lighting candles on the menorah after sundown, playing dreidel, and enjoying foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).

“For me, Hanukkah is a time of warmth and light that I can always look forward to as the days get shorter and colder in the winter. At MIT, I celebrated Hanukkah with friends and sisters in the AXΩ house. Each year a representative from one of our Jewish student groups would bring over a menorah so my sisters and I could light the candles together outside. We celebrated with the broader Greek community on campus as well, getting together with Jewish members of other sororities and fraternities to have doughnut-eating contests or wear funny/ugly Hanukkah sweaters.” ~ Hilary Vogelbaum (Theta Omicron, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Wish a sister who celebrates “Happy Hanukkah” or “Chag Sameach” (Hebrew).

LUNAR NEW YEAR February 12, 2021

This is the most important holiday in China and is also celebrated by people of other Asian heritages; the new year begins with the first new moon and is celebrated for about 15 days until the full moon arrives. Those celebrating provide offerings to gods and ancestors, and gift money in red envelopes (Chinese) or silk pouches (Korean) as a sign of respect between elders and younger family members. This will be the Year of the Ox, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac!

Wish a sister who celebrates “Happy New Year,” “xin nian kuai le” (Mandarin), “saehae bok mani badeuseyo” (Korean), “gong hay fat choy” (Cantonese for “Congratulations on the fortune”) or the appropriate translation in the language she speaks.

Interested in sharing about your holiday traditions, whether they are religious, cultural, familial or just for fun? Email editor@alphachiomega.org! Sources of educational content: History.com and Huffpost

The Season of Celebration

NU XI NU (SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA) ALUMNAE CHAPTER’S 2019 HOLIDAY PARTY

BETA PSI (LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY)