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The Holiday Party is perhaps the most beautiful—and flexible—festivities on today’s party scene. A Holiday Party, for all intents and purposes, can be whatever the host chooses to make it.
This wasn’t always the case. Indeed, early versions of the Holiday Party followed a very strict set of social regulations. At a Christmas party, for instance, the host would be required to set out a Nativity scene, an X-mas tree bedecked with angels and other spiritual symbols, and stockings for the kids (or shoes, as is the case in France). At Thanksgiving, she would prepare a turkey accompanied by numerous side dishes, and Grace would be said before the meal. On or just before both occasions, the family would attend church services, and perhaps special programs and pageants at their children’s schools.
These rich holiday traditions survive to this day, where they are still honored and celebrated in a variety of homes and communities. Yet at many neighborhood, scholastic and community celebrations, the nature of the Holiday Party has morphed to please people of all faiths and beliefs.
These days school and community parties reflect a variety of faiths. A Nativity Scene might be posted next to an oversized Star of David, and participants might sing “Silent Night” one moment and a Kwanzaa song the next. These celebrations might also forego religious symbols altogether, in favor of general songs of celebration, sung amidst settings of colorful ribbons and fragrant flowers.
And, depending on everyone’s tastes and beliefs, today’s Thanksgiving feasts might feature vegetarian turkey in addition to potatoes and dessert.
In the privacy of one’s home, a Holiday Party can still be a private celebration of faith, one involving angelic choruses (well, depending on just how well everyone in the family can sing?), lavish Nativities, and prayers that express divine gratitude for another holiday spent together. Plan a Holiday Party today!
Share
the Holiday
History with your
kids as a bedtime
story.
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