The year feels like it’s just flown by, and we can’t believe it’s almost 2016! We know that December is a special month for many people, and for many different reasons. We believe that it is important to recognize diversity, and to help everyone celebrate in their own way. Here are a few of the holiday memories and traditions that some of our employees shared with us:
“The holiday that holds a special memory for me is Diwali (Deepawali, or ‘Festival of Lights’). In India, this is celebrated in the grandest way possible with lights and firecrackers symbolising the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. At our home, we wear new clothes and our whole family used to meet up at my grandparents’ place to burst crackers. In the evening, we light our entire house with deepa (lamps and candles), and then have a family feast! We did this every year for a very, very long time!”
– Shruthi R., Client Service Coordinator
“Something that we really celebrate is Reyes (Día De Los Reyes), and that happens on January 6th. It’s a Spanish tradition where they celebrate the coming of the three wise men. Children tend to get gifts for that as opposed to Christmas.”
– Angelica M., Client Service Coordinator
“One tradition my parents started doing with us when we were little was a hide and seek activity. After or before opening the presents, my parents would have us search the house for five or six pieces of paper that contained clues for where to find the next clue and some money. So, after searching the house for these clues, we would be that much richer! Today, all of us are grown up, so we return the favour and hide clues with money around the house for others to seek out and find. I like to write my clues in ‘Yoda language,’ and it’s quite interesting to see people decipher them.”
– Hebert T., Quality Assurance Analyst
“[My cousin and I] went to Norway to spend Christmas 
with some friends of hers. They have this tradition there where on December 23, they eat rice pudding, and one person gets a blanched almond in their pudding. Whoever finds the almond wins a marzipan pig. It’s very specific. I didn’t win, but it was still fun.”
– Caitlin M., Senior Communications and Development Coordinator