End of Year Celebrations

By: I. Papa

The best part when a year is coming to an end is all the celebrations that this “end” holds. I look forward to the decorated houses on Halloween, the red and green string lights bringing the euphoric feeling of Christmas to most homes, lighting the candles of the Menorah during Hanukkah inside Jewish homes, and the amazing celebrations on the 31st of December, where we all excitedly await the new year and what shall hold for all of us. 
These remarkable celebrations each play a special part at the end of the year. Examples include: 
Halloween: 
Halloween, celebrated on the 31st of October, is a holiday that explores the spooky wonders of the world. It is an opportunity to express yourselves through creative costumes, from skeletons to Disney princesses to cartoon characters. Decorating your homes with cobwebs or even small Jacko lanterns, just to add a spooky feeling to your day-to-day life. And, of course, it is about wandering through houses, asking the families who live there for treats to put inside your plastic bucket, and when arriving home, tossing all of them on your bed and trading with friends.  
Thanksgiving: 
Although it is not frequently celebrated here in Brazil, it is mostly celebrated in the United States and Canada, Thanksgiving, celebrated on the 23rd of November, is an opportunity for you to celebrate the harvest and previous blessings of your year. You take a moment to appreciate those whom you value greatly, such as family members or cherished friends. It is a moment of gratitude for all the amazing things and people that the year has brought you. 
Hanukkah: 
A festival celebrated by Jewish individuals. Due to the ancient miracle of the oil burning a candle for eight nights consistently, Jews light 8 candles on a candle holder known as the menorah, which holds 9 candles, one intended for each night of the celebration, which lasts eight days, and one in the middle known as the “shamash”, which is used to light the other candles. The festival celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and reaffirms the ideas of Judaism. Hannukah (Chanuca), is celebrated from the 7th of December to the 15th of December. 
Christmas: 
Celebrated on the 25th of December, Christmas is a holiday dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated mostly by Catholic families, but it may also hold a special place for non-religious people. It’s famous for its tropes of decorated trees, and the infamous Santa Claus. It is the jolliest time of year when cities are covered in green and red lights. This celebration varies from country to country, but overall, it is a moment to be with family and enjoy the closing of the year.