As the holidays and cold-hearted weather are approaching, Christmas music is playing, candles are burning, and festive activities are beginning for the students at Triton.

   “To get into the holiday spirit I love to help my mom decorate around the house, including the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving,” said Triton senior, Lindsey Gardella. “For activities, I love to shop for people’s gifts, spend the day at my dad’s house with my step side of the family, and bake cookies.”

   Many families and religions have different traditions for the holidays. Whether it is to create a playlist to listen to while conjuring in festive activities, watching the countdown holiday movies on the Hallmark Channel, or making paper snowflakes.

   Getting in the holiday spirit for some may even be the jolly activities that come with winter and the snow. Such as, bundling up in winter gear and walking outside into the brisk weather to enjoy making snow angels or rolling up snowballs, or adding a scarf, buttons, a carrot for a nose, a hat, and sticks for arms to make a snowman.

   An additional contender to getting into the swing of the holidays is the countdown. Families often have a specific countdown of their own that they like to follow. Perhaps an advent calendar filled with chocolate, or maybe even Legos or small toys.

   “We get advent calendars from Winfrey’s,” said Triton junior Emily Debenedictis.

   Sipping a sweet, warm hot chocolate while sitting by the toasty fire with holiday tunes playing in the background may fill some with the holiday spirit. Others may find themselves baking cookies and other delicious treats to share with friends and family members.

   “Every year, my family makes Hershey Kisses wreaths. We also have an advent calendar,” said junior Sarah Burd.