As the hallways fill with talk of Secret Santa and Christmas concerts, students began to wonder: What holiday traditions do our teachers cherish most? From long-standing rituals passed down for generations to quirky family games invented by accident, Mount’s faculty shared the stories that define their celebrations.
“Every year, our family keeps a special holiday tradition of taking photos with Santa at the same spot—it’s something we’ve done since my girls were little. It’s so fun to look back and see how Jules and Emily have grown each year, but the smiles in those Santa pictures always capture the same holiday magic,” Spanish teacher Señora Megan Rodolico said.
“Every Thanksgiving, my family and I gather for dinner, but before we all sit to eat, we gather standing in the dining room and pray together. We name the names of the people who are no longer with us, who we’re missing at our table. We say a prayer for them to remember them and to be thankful for those still here with us and those who are not. Our family values our loved ones and we value the memories. We mourn the empty chairs and seats at our tables, but we remember they are still with us,” Head of Theology Department Ms. Ochs said.
Others celebrate through food—recipes, routines, and the aromas that signal the holidays have officially begun.
“My favorite holiday tradition is our family’s Thanksgiving routine. We have two turkeys (at least two). I go down early and put the first bird into the oven at 4am so the whole house wakes up to the smell of onions, butter, sage, and all the good Thanksgiving smells. We slice that early turkey for leftovers, to-go containers, and use it for the gravy and stock for later.
The second turkey is the one we bring to the table. It’s always roasted in my Great grandmother’s roasting pan, which has been used by generations of my family.
This tradition matters to me because it combines practicality, hospitality, and family history. The early turkey makes the house feel warm and welcoming, and the ‘table turkey’ connects us to the generations that came before us,” Director of Instructional Technology and Design Mrs. Cilio said.
Holiday spirit isn’t limited to family kitchens; some of it unfolds right inside the classroom.
“My favorite tradition happens right here at the Mount. As you know I have an ‘advent house’, where there are the twenty four doors of the Advent season, each with a bible verse about Christmas and a small treat. Each day a girl is chosen as the “advent angel” of the day to open one of the doors. I was so surprised how excited you girls were for your turn at visiting the house and reading the verse to the class,” explained Mrs. Goldschmidt.
Many traditions lean into playfulness, carrying the joy of childhood into adulthood.
“When I was younger, my siblings and I would have to look in the tree for the pickle ornament that Santa hid. The sibling that found the pickle in the tree would get the extra present that was left for us. It became a very heated activity over the years, but we always loved the entertainment of searching,” said theology teacher Mr. Dominick.
While some traditions spark laughter, others take us back to the sweetness of childhood.
“So as a kid, in particular, my mom was a great baker, and so we baked a different cookie every night until Christmas. And she was Italian, so we baked all kinds of things, but in particular, pizzelles. And of course, after Thanksgiving, you know, starts the Christmas movies, too. So we’d have that on, and we’d be baking and we could hear it so, you know, tonight was Rudolph and then the next week is something else. So now my sister-in-law and my nieces and their kids, we get together on a day before Christmas and we make a bunch of cookies and then everybody takes some and goes from there. But they’re just very pleasant memories and people love to get a gift of her cookies,” President Sister Charlene said.
For other families, traditions evolve over time, especially as new generations arrive.
Technology Department Chair Mrs. Margaret Toth told the history behind her family’s holiday activities stating: “When my grandchildren were babies, we started having Toth Family Christmas after Christmas so that my young families could stay in their homes on December 25th. When we finally go together post-Christmas, after opening all the presents and playing with all of their toys, the kids got a little bored. Enter Toth Family reindeer games.
Our first attempt was having a ribbon at the front door. The oldest had to lead the littles to follow the ribbon, which was woven throughout all the rooms of the house. There were age-appropriate stops along the ribbon, like pick a candy cane, or find a hidden ornament, or do an activity like a puzzle or coloring page.
Since everyone liked the activities so much, my husband and I were excited to create something even more fun for the next year; and so, it began. Now, planning it during Advent is as much fun for us as it is for them to participate at Christmas. In the years since we started, we’ve played games like scooping bows into a bowl blindfolded; choosing upside down cups that reveal a prize underneath; deciphering the Christmas emoji game; taste-testing hot chocolate; and of course, the traditional family group picture.
As the kids get older, the activities become more challenging. I can’t tell you what we’re planning for Toth Family reindeer games 2025 because it’s top-secret! But I can guarantee that there will be some new activities as well as some of the old favorites. It’s funny how something becomes a “tradition.” I didn’t actually plan for our reindeer games to become a beloved holiday event, but here we are!”
Whether rooted in faith, food, family, or fun, each tradition shared by Mount’s faculty reflects the same spirit: a commitment to togetherness and gratitude. As the school community enters the holiday season, these stories offer a reminder that the rituals we cherish—big or small—are what make this time of year meaningful.
