(December 14, 2006) — Everyone knows that Christmas is a time for family, friends and gifts; but are these the only things that people include in their annual holiday celebrations? Actually, the core of it all is the same: people eat themselves into a holiday coma, followed by some holiday libations and the usual hour-long gift-giving ceremony. Some of the only things that can differ from family to family are types of food and/or the time and place that everything commences. According to librarian Susan Newcomer, who is of Italian decent, “Italians eat lots of fish and pasta during Christmas Eve, but on Christmas day we eat meat and lasagna.” Armenians also consume copious amounts of fish at their celebration, but they prefer it with rice, according to junior Divis Shahbaz. Orthodox religions celebrate this glorious day of gift giving on the Epiphany, Jan. 6, which coincides with the day of Obligation for Catholics. Greeks, Russians and Armenians are some of the people who celebrate Christmas on this day; most other celebrations, however, commence on the Dec. 25. Junior Samantha Fitzmorris has the bittersweet pleasure of celebrating Christmas twice: once at her mother’s house and the other at her father’s. “It usually starts with my sister and I opening one [set] of presents on Christmas Eve at my mom’s house and then the next day we open the rest. After that we go to my dad’s house and celebrate with him.” What is the real meaning of this holiday season; could the arrival of the baby Jesus that makes Americans give gifts? For thoughts who celebrate on Jan.6 it marks the day that according to Christian legend the three wise men visited Jesus. This might bean alternate reason that we decide to flock to the mall, in honor of the three gifts these wise men bestowed. Regardless of what method people choose to celebrate this classic holiday, it’s safe to say that spending time with loved ones and eating one’s heart out are constants. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good winter break.