LucyAmbrose

Balancing the magic of the Christmas season with the hustle and bustle of teaching isn’t always easy, but some Marian teachers have embraced meaningful traditions to create lasting memories for their kids.

Social studies teacher Mrs. Amy McLeay admits that when it comes to Elf on the Shelf, she never had much faith in her ability to keep up with the nightly antics. Instead, her family uses an elf calendar, an easier way to countdown to Christmas, which gained popularity when her children, Taylor and Jack, were little. Their holiday season is action-packed, with four parties to attend every Christmas Day. To celebrate with everyone, the family rotates every three hours between each party. Yet, they still make time for traditions, like visiting Santa at Regency and taking a drive downtown to admire the holiday lights.

While they skip the holiday baking, they still make sure to put out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Gift-giving in the McLeay household is about experiences and meaningful gifts, not extravagant presents. “Growing up, we’d go to midnight Mass, but it turned out to be too much for my own kids,” McLeay said. Now they just attend a service in the day instead. Another  highlight for the family is reenacting the Nativity at the Cottonwood Hotel with extended relatives. Everyone dresses up as an assigned role 

Another social studies teacher, Mr. Chris Dziadus has created some fun traditions with his 8-year-old son. The holiday season kicks off Thanksgiving weekend when they pick out a real Christmas tree together and spend the day decorating it. On Christmas Eve, Dziadus lets his son open one special gift, but the real excitement is having their mischievous Elf on the Shelf make appearances around their home. “My son is really into his wishlist this year,” Dziadus said, chuckling. “He’s hoping for a PlayStation 5, Roblox gift cards, a football and some colorful LED lights.” The Dziadus’  skip the cookies for Santa, choosing to make room for other holiday surprises instead.

Social studies teacher Mrs. Jillian Roger embraces a playful Christmas Day that her children enjoy. The family stays in pajamas all day, indulging in a “Yes Day” where the kids call the shots and get to eat candy, watch movies and enjoy a full day of fun. “We make a fancy dinner…but we also like to have ice cream for lunch,” Roger said. The house is always festively decorated, and one of their favorite traditions is loading up the car to drive through Linden Estates to admire the dazzling lights. They always opt for a real tree, bringing the fresh scent of pine into their home, and they never forget to leave cookies out for Santa.

These teachers, even with their busy schedules, find ways to make the season magical and meaningful, proving that the Christmas spirit is alive and well. Whether it’s a bustling day of celebrations, quiet time spent decorating a tree or the simple pleasure of staying cozy in pajamas, their holiday traditions remind us all of the beauty and magic this season brings.