Christmas is just a few weeks away and students are preparing to give gifts to friends and teachers as well as participate in white elephant gift exchanges and small class parties.

“I am doing a gift exchange and I’m excited,” junior Chaney Shaw said. “Receiving gifts makes me happy but then giving a gift makes me really excited for that person.”

During the last week of school before winter break, students often expect less work and more fun activities.

Teachers as well as students love celebrating, especially during the holiday season, and especially during THIS 2020 season. Teachers will use the week before break to bring the holiday spirit to their classrooms through various activities. Not only are students getting more coloring papers and crossword puzzles, but they are listening to Christmas tunes and finding gifts to bring for the exchanges and Secret Santas.

“I am looking forward to this last week before the holiday, because I will get to spend time with my family,” Shaw added.

MHS students should expect a normal day this Thursday with not so many assignments Friday as it is technically an “early release” day. Students will be off until January 5, 2021.

As Shaw said earlier, bringing gifts to others gives people a warm feeling in their bodies. This is how the tradition of Santa Claus came to be. “St. Nicholas” became known as the protector of children and was known for his kind gestures. “Saint Nick” got the name Santa Claus because of his Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas.

During the 1800s, Americans would give gifts to one another as a way to show their humility. Soon after, the gift givers decided to shift giving presents to lower class citizens and instead give them to children as a way to say I love you. The government saw this sweet gesture as a marketing opportunity and then started bringing “Santa-in-the-Mall.” Children would come and get pictures made and tell “Santa” what they desired to have when they woke up on Christmas morning.

This year, during a global pandemic, visits with “the Big Guy” are looking a lot different. They are either virtual or Santa is behind plexiglass, but everyone is still looking for ways to continue to spread the Christmas cheer.