Recognizing and learning some things about each holiday help to understand and appreciate the different cultures and groups that celebrate them.

HANUKKAH/CHANUKAH,  FINAL DAY DEC. 6, 2021

This year, Hanukkah is observed from Nov. 28 to December 6.  It is a time to celebrate the festival of lights, for 8 days, with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

Historically, Hanukkah or Chanukah means dedication or re-dedication, when in 164 BCD, Judah Maccabee and his band  successfully led a guerilla war against the Syrians that earlier occupied Jerusalem, and outlawed the Jewish faith, seized and tortured the people.  The Maccabees liberated the city and rededicated the temple, by relighting the candelabra. They only found enough sacred oil to keep the menorah lit for one day.  Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for 8 days. Hence, that is why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 full days, and the celebration includes a nightly menorah lighting, special blessings are recited, and traditional songs and games are played.

WINTER SOLSTICE, DEC. 21, 2021

Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, when the earth鈥檚 tilt is extremely inclined away from the sun.  For the northern hemisphere, the shortest day this year is December 21. The main symbols and rituals include fire and light, in recognition of the shortest, darkest day of the year.

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD鹿,虏

• Iran鈥檚 Yalda festival marks the day when Mithra, an angel of light, was thought to have been born.
• China鈥檚 D艒ngzh矛 festival celebrates when winter鈥檚 darkness begins to give way to light. Families observe this time with special foods, such as rice balls known as tang yuan.
• Scandinavians (people who live in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) gather for Juul, or Yule, a multi-day feast when ancient people would welcome the return of the sun god.
• In Britain, some people still observe the ancient tradition of cutting mistletoe, which is considered a sacred plant with healing properties.
• Shalako is a ceremonial dance, celebrated by the Zuni, one of the Native American tribes in New Mexico, which marks the beginning of the year.
• Soyal, with the Hopi of northern Arizona, is announcing the setting of the sun on the solstice. It involves an all-night ceremony with kindling fires, dancing and gift giving.
• Toji in Japan is the traditional practice of starting the new year with health and good luck. During the winter solstice, the practice involves taking warm baths scented with yuzu, a citrus fruit, said to ward off colds and foster good health.

CHRISTMAS,  DECEMBER 25, 2021,  FEDERAL HOLIDAY

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, which to Christians is the son of God. The day commemorating Christmas, December 25, was chosen by Pope Julius I, former head of the Roman Catholic Church, year 337-352, but no one really knows when Jesus was born.  This date was chosen in order to Christianize the popular ancient pagan festival celebrating the rebirth of the sun during the winter solstice.

Christmas celebrations may involve both religious and/or secular practices; from attending a mass or prayer services, to decorating the home with a Christmas tree and lights, or having festive gatherings that include traditional meals and gift exchanges, and waiting for Santa Claus to deliver gifts on December 24.  

KWANZAA DEC. 26  OBSERVANCE, THROUGH JAN 1, 2021

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture.  It is an annual holiday affirming the African family and social values. Kwanzaa was initially introduced in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University in Long Beach, as primarily an African American holiday.  The concept of Kwanzaa is based on the South African first-fruits festivals.

Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani).鲁

There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.鲁

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The holidays are upon us and with that comes school closures. Gifted children tend to have a strong desire and need for intellectual stimulation, and that need doesn鈥檛 go away when schools are closed. Below are three ways parents can help foster positive social and academic growth during the holiday break:

1. Cultural Excursions

Take a trip to a local museum, science center, aquarium, theatre, planetarium or garden to provide your child with a learning experience. If time and budget allow, consider planning a day trip or vacation to a historical site. Local libraries often offer free activities and events, so be sure to check your local library鈥檚 calendar. Remember to be flexible, as some children require time to process and adjust to new environments.

2. Home Improvement

Take advantage of an extra set of hands, and a curious mind, by implementing a home improvement project while your gifted child is home. Children interested in technology and science could help figure out the best ways to save energy in your household. Other project ideas include furniture assembly, closet or garage organization, cleaning, composting or yard work.

3. Volunteer

Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health, which are not just perks for gifted students but for everyone. There are many ways one can volunteer during the holidays, which include hosting a toy or canned food drive, serving meals at a soup kitchen, adopting a family or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

You can also research additional ideas on 优蜜视频鈥檚 , which includes and for gifted learners.

Lastly, it鈥檚 the most wonderful time of the year, and for many gift giving is part of the season. Please support 优蜜视频 by making Amazon purchases through . A portion of your purchase will be donated directly to 优蜜视频 so we can continue providing high-quality programs and services to gifted youth nationwide.

Happy holidays!

It was snowing indoors at 优蜜视频鈥檚 tree-trimming party last Friday as parents, students and staff all worked together to create handcrafted ornaments and paper snowflakes to decorate the Barder House for the holidays. As families munched on cookies and sipped hot chocolate (generously donated by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf), they reflected on favorite 优蜜视频 moments from the past year 鈥� like our Genius Day hosted at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens and our Summer Soiree BBQ event. Students also spoke excitedly about plans for the New Year, including family trips and courses they had already applied to take in our upcoming Winter Session of Academy.

The event may even be the start of a new 优蜜视频 tradition! 鈥淭his was such a great opportunity to relax and unwind with the 优蜜视频 community after the end of the school term,鈥� remarked a parent. 鈥淎nd the crafts were a big hit. We鈥檇 love to do this again!鈥� Most popular among the crafts were created under the patient instruction of Tiffany Kwong, who showed kids and adults how to cut and tape squares of paper to make intricate, three-dimensional works of art. To make your own ornaments听at home, you can follow the paper snowflake tutorial below!

As the glowing warmth of the tree illuminated the smiling faces of everyone in attendance, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our close-knit community of supporters and the amazing children that we have had the privilege to serve. As the 优蜜视频 staff looks forward to the holidays with our own families, we鈥檇 like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many members of the 优蜜视频 family who have contributed their time, talent and money in service of our mission over the course of 2015. As we prepare for the New Year, your support is paramount to helping us plan for the future of 优蜜视频 and providing much needed services to the children in our programs.

If you would like to make a donation to support 优蜜视频 in time for the New Year, please visit our website鈥檚 donation page or call our office at 626-403-8900. To sign up for an Academy class, click here!

Happy holidays from all of us here at 优蜜视频 and best wishes for the coming year!