The Stevens family has a distinct custom every Christmas Eve: a McDonald?s meal for dinner.
“My favorite is the McChicken sandwich,” said Michael Stevens, a sophomore at Western STES.
Baltimore is home to hundreds of thousands of families with different cultures and religions, each with its own tradition.
“We celebrate Kwanzaa by lighting different color candles for every Kwanzaa night,” said Keynan Burton, a seventh-grader in Baltimore.
This season, Eid ul-Adha will be observed by Muslims from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. On every Eid ul-Adha, the Siddiqui family visits a farm and gives a large portion of sheep meat to friends and the destitute.
“We just have a relaxing day. We get gifts. It?s nice to help the poor get food,” said Hafsa Siddiqui, a third-grader at Dogwood Elementary School.
The Rodriguez family integrates their Puerto Rican heritage into their holidays. In addition to celebrating Christmas, the family will also commemorate Epiphany, known as Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico, on Jan. 6.
“It?s fun. You get extra presents. When I was young, I?d be all excited, thinking, ?The three kings are coming! They?re going to give me presents!?” said Megan Rodriguez, a home-schooled ninth-grader.
Visit the Kids Clubhouse next Monday as we explore the holiday traditions of more families.
Tina Zou is a senior at Centennial High School. She is an intern with The Examiner.
