In South Omaha, it was a tradition to host a party on Christmas Eve Eve in memory of the burning of the Sokol Center. Today, family and friends feast, play party games, and exchange gifts two nights before Christmas. They bake sugar cookies and bonbons and give gifts to the younger party guests. “It’s my favorite time of the year, better than Christmas,” Swoboda said.

While most decorate their trees with twinkling lights and glass ornaments, junior Emily Evans’ family hides a dill-ightful surprise between the pine branches. Adult family members hide a pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas tree, and all the kids race to find it. The first one to find it gets a little gift. This German tradition is known as the “Christmas pickle.”

“It’s one of the things that make you laugh, a little part of Christmas that contributes to the entirety of the holiday,” Evans said.

Junior Brigid Elbert’s family names their Christmas tree. When Elbert was 12, she shared the idea with her brother and the tradition began. The family provides their trees with German names like “Gretyl” and “Gunter” because of their German roots. “Most people are amused to hear that we give names to trees,” Elbert said. “I’ve never heard of it before.”

Some girls stay in Omaha for the holidays, but junior Vienna Tang travels southwest to Las Vegas. Three years ago, Tang started visiting her father who lives in the city.

It’s a nice family get together, plus a vacation,” Tang said. She stays for two weeks with her mom and siblings in a hotel. Her family goes sightseeing and walks the strip, Tang’s favorite tourist destination, to visit a variety of stores and mini-cities. “The best part is spending time together, because we never do due to school and work,” Tang said.

 

These unique family traditions will continue throughout the years in the Swoboda, Evans, and Tang house- holds. “If these memories were to stop, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas. I would be devastated,” Swoboda said.