It is finally December and Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are all fast approaching. Of course, with the holidays comes a rush to buy presents and a rise in the holiday spirit through music and movies. So Cardinal Nation is here to give you an insight on everything festive.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, unlike Christmas and Kwanzaa, follows a lunar calendar. This year it is from December 7th to the 15th. Hanukkah celebrates the ancient miracle from the Jewish religion of the oil candle that burnt for eight nights. The word Hanukkah is Hebrew and means dedication. To honor this holiday, Cleveland will again hold the Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Downtown on December 12th. There are also a few popular movies about Hanukkah. Jack and Jill on Netflix is a lighthearted comedy about two siblings, and when they get off on the wrong foot, they have to fix it over Hanukkah.

Christmas

Christmas, as we all know, is one of the biggest holidays of the year. While it is traditionally a Christian holiday, many people today have adopted the holiday as a general celebration. There are also a few new movies this year such as Family Switch and Disney’s Dashing Through The Snow. Disney also released The Santa Clauses which is a series that follows the Santa Claus movies from 1994 to 2006.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is from December 26th – January 1st. Kwanzaa was started in 1966 and is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates African history. For Kwanzaa, people celebrate their ancestors over seven days with feasts, music, gifts, and dancing. If you’re interested in learning more about Kwanzaa, watch The Black Candle on Tubi or Peacock. In previous years, the Cleveland History Center hosted a Kwanzaa celebration. Songs such as “Rise Up” by Andra Day and “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Donny Hathaway are popular around Kwanzaa.

Popular Gifts

Of course, on these holidays, many people also give gifts. Here are some of the top ranked gifts for this holiday season.

• Yeti and Stanley cups
• PJ sets
• Fishing kits
• Tote bags
• Video game systems: PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox 
• Board games and video games: Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Call Of Duty, and Casting Shadows
• Handmade no sew blanket
• Gift basket with treats or self care products
• Movies

There are also a variety of popular stocking stuffers this year

• Lip Balm
• Books such as Ballad Of The Songbirds And The Snakes 
• Customized clothing or pillow cases
• Jewelry
• Small Lego sets
• Gift Cards

Mentor High School wishes everyone a safe and joyful holiday season and a well-deserved break from December 23rd – January 7th.