The 2019 holiday season has started off with a bang! With our school right near the heart of downtown Seattle, holiday cheer is in the air. Maybe it’s the one man band singing Christmas carols in Pacific Place, the carousel outside Starbucks, the wintery bite in the air, or even the extra crowded stores and angry shoppers. At Northwest we represent a wide variety of holidays celebrated around this time. To see how students are getting into the holiday spirit, I asked a few middle and upper school students how they’re celebrating, both at home and with their friends.
Presents! One of the best, most exciting things about this time of year. Whether giving or receiving, a little package wrapped in paper and a nice bow will bring a smile to your face. Zoey N. ‘23 and Elliott C. ‘25 are both doing gift exchanges with a few of their friends. “I think it’s really fun because in a way I feel like I’m connecting more and having fun with my friends. Through giving something to someone, I feel like I am getting to know them better,” said Dayanara L. ‘23 who is also doing a secret gift exchange.
Living in such a big city, there are many holiday activities going on all the time. From November 22nd-December 29th Seattle’s T-Mobile park transforms from a baseball field to a winter wonderland. There’s ice skating, shopping, food, and a gorgeous setup of lights. The Seattle Lights and Lore Tour takes you on a drive through the city’s most impressive neighborhood light displays. Zoey N. ‘23 said one of the reasons she loves the holidays so much is because “I love seeing the lights everywhere! They’re so pretty.” Similar to the lights tour is the Wild Lights at the Woodland Park Zoo. The walkways are lined with lit up trees. You also have a chance to get up close to some of the animals for a magical winter experience.
The holiday season is just beginning! “Everyone is so happy this time of year. No one’s ever this nice in Seattle,” said Elliott C. ‘25. So grab a hot chocolate or a peppermint mocha from Kaladi, or go ice skating with your friends or family. Finally buy that shirt you’ve had your eye on as a little present to yourself. Let’s all hope for a snowy break this year. Happy holidays!
