Lots of snow on the ground with the sun shining through some trees in the distance in Munich, December 2023 (Eva L., Grade 9).
By Eva L., Grade 9
Winter is always an exciting time of the year, either spending it with family, doing something creative or even just relaxing. People of course have their preferences on what they like doing most in the winter, but there are some similarities to the things people do.
Some student’s favourite season is summer which of course doesn’t help me with the article, but a few did say winter. Most students liked winter even if it wasn’t their favourite season.
Snow covering the trees and sun shining through it in Garmisch, January 2024 (Eva L., Grade 9).
People said they played a certain type of sport or made something creative, depending on how they were feeling during the winter.
For example, English teacher Ms. Gabel said she likes being outside during the winter and being able to do active things such as Eisstock or curling. She is from Canada, so she is very used to the cold weather which is why she prefers to be outside rather than inside.
“I play a Canadian sport, like an ice hockey, since I was 12 years old,” Ms. Gabel said. “I don’t do it as often anymore, but it was really cool.”.
People going up on a chair lift and people skiing/snowboarding beneath them in Garmisch, January 2024 (Eva L., Grade 9).
An Integrated Humanities teacher Ms. Wenzel said she prefers to stay inside and do something creative or with her family.
“I like knitting and doing relaxing mindfulness colouring books,” Ms Wenzel said. “Hiking up to huts with my family is always nice,” she said.
People love doing different things in their free time during winter. Some creative things people said they enjoy doing during the winter or in general is cooking/baking, drawing etc. When they cook or bake, they tend to make soups or foods that are usually warm. Ms. Wenzel called this her “comfort foods”. When baking people tend to make cookies for Christmas or any type of Christmas themed things. As Ms Wenzel said, Baking relaxes people and allows them to spend time with others while doing something fun. Some people do prefer to bake alone and focus on themselves for once, but everyone does things slightly different.
Two people’s snowboards side by side at the Austria Zillertal Arena, February 2024 (Eva L., Grade 9)
During winter the most celebrated holiday in the world takes place. Christmas! This holiday is celebrated everywhere and is a day where people spend time with family, friends, get to know each other and show their kindness. Ms. Wenzel’s Christmas tradition is hiking up into the forest with her kids and putting food down for the animals.
“People in my family would make music and play it in front of others as like a little band,” Ms Wenzel said.
Then they would all get a candle to light the tree. The whole family would then sit down to open presents and enjoy everyone’s company.
A landscape perspective of a chair lift, snowboard, and skis in Austria, Zillertal Arena, February 2024 (Eva L., Grade 9).
Ms. Gabel’s traditions were slightly different. Her family has one called “Nasty Santa.” This is where you would hide the presents around the house and then the kids would get clues that they would have to use together to find a present. The present would be for all of them to use, like a little game.
“Nasty Santa is basically like a scavenger hunt and a fun little thing to do on Christmas,” Ms Gabel said.
Since Ms. Gabel used to do this as a kid, she said she wants to pass on the tradition.
“I’m going to pass on the tradition and do it with the kids that are now in my life,” she said.