The haT ChaT2015 HOLIDAY EDITION

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Courtney McGorty Staff Writer, ‘17

Winter Holidays Around the World

Tsagaan Sar is celebrated in Mongolia one month after the first new moon of the winter solstice. This celebration involves gathering extended family for a feast of mutton, sheep’s tail rice and curds, and a plate piled high with traditional cookies (pictured above). Families

will exchange gifts, don in traditional Mongolian garb and light candles at an altar to celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha.

You won’t be seeing any of these winter holidays on Starbucks cups anytime soon. With the holidays approaching, it’s a good time to bundle up and celebrate the season. Western society is mostly familiar with the flood of anxious shoppers, but what about everyone else

in the world? Hopping from country to country around the world, everyone is wrapped up in winter fun!

While yuletide is commonly used as an umbrella term to describe the winter months, it is actually rooted as a Germanic pagan celebra-tion. Yule is celebrated during the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Celebrators write their wishes down on a slip of paper

and tie it to a Yule log, which is then set ablaze. Gatherers keep away evil spirits by throwing holly branches into the fire. The time spent is supposed to enhance the participants’ spiritual connection with the Earth. When the smoke goes into the air, the spirits are said to

gather the wishes and grant them in the new year.

You don’t want Krampus and Jólakötturinn these guys visiting this holiday season. As of this year, the infamous figure of Krampus has gained a lot of attention due to the release of the 2015 holiday horror flick, Krampus. The Austro-Bavarian Alpine legend depicts a

devil-like creature that spirits away naughty children to punish them for their misdoings. The legend of Krampus is used to scare children across Europe into changing their naughty ways. I bet coal in your stocking doesn’t look so bad now!

The celebration of Saint Nicholas occurs on Dec 5 in the Netherlands. The figure of Sinterklaas bares drastic similarity to the popular Santa Claus; usually an old man in red robes with a white beard who gives gifts to children. A parade is held to honor and celebrate the

generous saint. It is tradition for his helper Zwarte Piet, or “Black Pete,” to hand out candy to the children. According to the legend, this Spanish slave went down the chimneys to deliver the presents, or take the naughty children back to Spain with him for an unspecified

punishment.

Tsagaan Sar

Sinterklaas

Yuletide

Krampus

Happy Holidays!

Sam SchultzStaff Writer, ‘16

The UlTimaTe holiday PlaylisT

Happy Holidays!2 3

HOLIDAY MOVIESThe Hat Chat Staff

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)Considered a classic choice in many American homes, this movie will remind you to be thankful for what you have this holiday season. George Bailey makes an unfortunate wish, and learns to appreciate his life and all of the people he is fortunate enough to have. This film combines a splash of Christmas magic in the form of angels and holiday-season thank-fulness. The black and white charm will dazzle you with its antique feel, and the heart-warming storyline will undoubtedly keep you warm this season.

A Christmas Story (1983)A renowned movie for being both hilarious and a classic amongst many families. Ral-phie Parker sets out on a mission to convince others that the one true Christmas gift he wants this year is a red BB gun. A Christmas Story has been marathoned on various channels during the holiday season. With some adult-like humor and adorable chil-dren with rebellious tendencies, this movie could not be better to watch during the holiday season.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)Straight from the pages of the beloved children’s writer Dr. Seuss, this beloved holiday movie will make your heart grow 10 times too big. The nasty green Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, and his dog Max are on a mission to stop Christmas. This film puts a quirky spin on a classic book that most are familiar with. Follow the comedic whimsey of the Christmas obsessed town of Whoville where the Grinch stirs up trouble.

An elf that wants to be a dentist? A reindeer being left out of the reindeer games? There is just so much reality to this movie and a reindeer trying to find his place with a big, bright red nose. One of the greatest classics of a Christmas movie for this holiday season, and a brilliant title for childhood memories. Follow Rudolph, as he finds new friends and discovers his role as one of Santa’s reindeer!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Charlie Brown Christmas Special (1965)Good grief! This animated family classic has brought people together to share the joy of the holiday. Focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie and the gang direct a Christmas play and find themselves stuck with a subpar tree. Make your holiday wishes come true with fun music and classic lines from your favorite rag tag team, the Peanuts.

Tired of elves and talking snowmen? This action packed movie will have you on the edge of your seat, cocoa mug trembling, just in time for the holidays! Beloved carols will never be the same after being paired with the brutal scenes of graphic violence and destruction. This flick will keep you and your loved ones dreaming of a blood red Christmas.

Die Hard (1988)

The haT ChaT’s New Year’s resoluTioNsI vow to actually stick to the hallway pass rule for the rest of this sentence.

This year I will only hit HotSpott twice...maybe four times. Actually now that I'm thinking about it seven is a nice number. That settles it, twelve HotSpott visits for me.

This year I will finally break out of the brutal article factory that the Hat Chat leadership has me working in. Please help.My resolution for this year is to double the amount of actual sleep I get on school nights from 1 to...2 hours.

I vow to walk in front of cars more defiantly than ever through the HH parking lot, as if to challenge every driver I see.This year, I’m going to try to eat healthy, starting with the throwing stars...I mean baby

carrots served in the cafeteria.I vow to think of a more secure password than “password”

I’ll stop procrastin….never mind, I’ll finish this later

I’ll actually start using the HATS Portal.

Where Are You Christmas? - Faith Hill Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel Holly Jolly Christmas - Michael Bublé Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartneyFrosty the Snowman - The Ronettes Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano Silver Bells - Dean Martin Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses Do They Know It’s Christmas (Feed the World) - The Starlite Singers Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt Baby It’s Cold Outside - Dean Martin Happy Xmas (War is Over) - John Lennon

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen The Christmas Song - Nat King ColeI Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - Gayla PeeveyRudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Dean MartinThe Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) - Alvin and the ChipmunksDominick the Donkey - The Italian Christmas DonkeyThe Chanukah Song - Adam SandlerChristmas in Hollis Run - D.M.CChristmas in Harlem - Kanye WestBelieve - Josh Groban

1. When do you start listening to Christmas music?A. The day after ThanksgivingB. Never. I hate Christmas music.C. I listen all year roundD. As soon as it comes on the radioE. I’ll listen if it’s on

6. What’s your favorite holiday activity?A. Finding the perfect treeB. Finding the gifts my parents hideC. Making gingerbread housesD. Buying the perfect giftE. Presents, presents and more presents.

5. How many gifts are you giving this season?A. I lost countB. My parents buy; I just put my name on it. C. Homemade gifts for everyone!D. A few for my immediate familyE. That’s Santa’s job

2. You wake up on Christmas morning and it’s 70 degrees outside...what do you do?A. Cry B. Smile. No white Christmas this year!C. It’s okay, your house is decked out in paper snowflakes anywayD. You’re upset, but you make the most of itE. Check for presents! Who cares about weather?

4. The best part of Christmas is...A. DecoratingB. The foodC. Pictures with SantaD. Spending time with familyE. Opening gifts

Sarah BetronNews Editor, ‘17

Mostly A’s: Clark GriswoldJust like the “Christmas Vacation” star, you are

a Christmas purist. You dream of the perfect Christmas, and anything else will only disap-

point. You settle for nothing less than the per-fect gifts, decorations, food, weather, and most importantly, the tree. Although you often set your standards beyond achievable expecta-

tions, you are a dreamer! Don’t let the Grin-ches and Scrooges take that away from you!

Mostly B’s: The GrinchYou are a Christmas cynic. The happy holiday cheer that Christmas brings is simply a source of torment to you. You turn off the Christmas

music before a single bar is sung,; you avert your eyes from the gaudy Christmas lights,

and completely disregard the magic of holiday spirit. However, just like the Grinch, you oc-casionally let your guard down and allow the holidays to bring out your sentimental side!

3. What’s your favorite kind of Christmas cookie?A. Chocolate Chip B. GingerbreadC. Sugar CookiesD. Jam ThumbprintsE. Anything...as long as there’s milk.

Mostly C’s: Buddy the ElfCongratulations, you officially win at Christ-

mas! Not only are you as delightfully charming as Will Ferrel, but you are also a Christmas spirit enthusiast. Your lovable and childlike

nature keeps the Christmas spirit alive. Your Christmas cheer lasts throughout

the year, and you’re never too shy to spread your passion to the rest of the world!

Mostly D’s: RudolphAlthough you’re often perceived as shy, you are never fail to be

yourself. Sometimes you care too much about what others think, but fortunately you are able to rely on the encouragement of your biggest supporters. You remain humble through the holidays and enjoy the simple pleasures of Christmastime, especially time spent with family.

Mostly E’s: RalphieJust like Ralphie, you’re all about the gifts! Of course you enjoy

all the other little joys of Christmas too, but nothing can compare to the thrill that comes with tearing wrapping paper off the gift you’ve been waiting for. Just like the “Christmas Story” star, you

have your eye on a special gift this year and nothing else can com-pete with that!

Which holiday character are you?

Joseph KimEditorals Editor, ‘16

Feed-A-Friend

“Since its creation in 2006, the Feed-A-Friend program has helped more than 1,000 house-holds or, on average, more than 4,000 of our own district’s students and their families in need, states the HH Student Council webpage. FAF is a program that identifies and aids more than 100 families from the Hatboro-Horsham Township in the form of food, toys and gift cards for the holidays. This program began with a congregation of teachers, administra-tors and guidance counselors who create a food drive to assist struggling families. Student Council, along with the partnership of other clubs such as National Honors Society, Link Crew, Robotics and more, gather early on the weekends in December to drop off brown-paper bags. These bags have notes asking the community to give back in the form of canned goods, gift cards or even toys. Then, the following weekend, students pick up these bags, now packed with goods, to bring back to the school for sorting. Peas, beans, canned meat, soups and desserts are sorted, counted, and evenly distributed. They are also packaged with gift cards to local grocers and are ready to be delivered. Hams and turkeys are kept in the school freezer and brought out at the last minute.

In 2009, to further the philanthropic objective of FAF, an extension was born, known as the “Magical Mornings” initia-tive, which is a toy drive. FAF has even received national recognition. In 2013, the program received $1,000 and 3rd place in the USA Today sponsored “Lead 2 Feed” competition which “honors young people taking the initiative to serve others in their own community.” While FAF serves as a means to give back to the families of Hatboro-Horsham, it is also designed to involve students in understanding the values of cooperation toward a philanthropic cause. On the Student Council web page, they state, “In a just a few hours together, over the course of months; hundreds of students, show not only school spirit, but the human spirit as well. They fill our streets, interact with our residents and provide an astonishing amount of service to their own community.” FAF has touched the hearts of hundreds of families since its foundation. Students have found creative ways of reaching out to the community such as participating in the Hatboro Parade and holding canned food drives during football games. However, the overarching symbol of Feed-A-Friend is compassion. It is a testament to the good-heartedness of this community. Feed-A-Friend 2015 once again aims to aid more than 100 families, a tradition forever engraved in HH history. Through the years, FAF has even received monetary donations up to $2000 from anonymous donors. The spirit of this program is about kindness, compassion and giving back to the community, and every year its values are upheld.

A Hatters Tradition

Senior Stephen Singer. Senior Sean Rich and Junior Doug Carpenter.

Senior Joseph Kim.

Some of the many packages delivered to families in need throughout the community. All photos courtesy of hh yeArbook.

4Feed-A-Friend: