Kris Kringles and Christmas Traditions at Catalina

Lauren Dunlap

December 17, 2020

If you asked a Catalina student what her favorite time of the year at Catalina is, she would probably say Christmas. Christmas at Catalina is an experience like no other, and many students’ favorite tradition is Kris Kringles, or “KKs,” a three-day tradition that gives students the chance to surprise one of their classmates with a fun, holiday-themed desk. On the first day of KKs, students decorate their classmates’ desks; on the second day, they bake their classmates a treat. Finally, on the third day, they get their classmates a small gift. KKs are revealed at a class party, and all the students thank their friends for their gifts! 

This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have had the option of participating in KKs from home! Students dropped off their KK gifts or delivered them. Although it wasn’t the same as celebrating at school, the socially-distanced festivities were a fun way for students to get into the Christmas spirit and have something fun to do before preparing for end-of-semester projects.

Since the Catalina community cannot celebrate the rest of the Christmas season together, I asked some classmates to help me create a list of fun things to do at home to get into the Christmas spirit with family and friends. Some of our ideas include Facetiming a friend, baking cookies, and drinking hot cocoa; decorating your room or house for Christmas; having Christmas Netflix Party marathons; playing a Christmas themed game on Zoom with your friends; writing Christmas letters; and making a playlist with all of your favorite Christmas songs!