After returning from Thanksgiving break, the Flood Mansion has put up its annual Christmas tree decorations in the Main Hall. Not only do these decorations mark the beginning of the holiday season, but also are the first steps in Convent and Stuart Hall’s holiday festivities. 

“I was so happy to see the Christmas trees when I came back to school,” senior Winnie Chun said. “It was a nice surprise to come back to,”

Popular holiday events held by the school include Christmas on Broadway, where boutique Christmas marketplaces are displayed for purchase and a portion of the proceeds go back to the school, gingerbread workshops, and a special appearance from Santa, according to Sacred SF. 

“Even though I’ve gone to this school since kindergarten, I never get tired of seeing the Christmas trees in the Main Hall,” senior Adania Cooper said. “Also the gingerbread workshops have been really fun traditions for my friends and I.” 

As one of the most festive times of the year, the annual tradition of putting up Christmas decorations continues. Prior to global lockdown during Covid-19 outbreak, only one Christmas tree would be put up. To allow visitors to see the Christmas tree, a second one was added at the base of the stairs, and has been there ever since, according to  science faculty Daniel Raffa.

“I love the festive trees in the hallway of Flood,” Raffa said. “It brings on a sense of nostalgia when I walk into the doors of school.”  

Not only do the putting up of decorations symbolize the beginning of the holiday season, but it also marks the time when families come together to celebrate other holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, according to Chun. As such, this is the time of the year when many traditions are continued and reflected upon. 

“I think that it is wonderful to be able to go to a school that offers so many celebration opportunities,” Chun said. “It helps us get into the holiday spirit.”