The holiday season is here, and seeing a Christmas tree and Hanukkah dolls in Johnston C’s common area—a rare sight in our dorms—made me smile. At Dana Hall, a secular school that doesn’t officially celebrate religious holidays, most dorms don’t usually have festive decor. Still, these symbols of celebration reminded me of how shared traditions can bring warmth and connection.
By viewing holidays as opportunities to learn about and appreciate different traditions, Dana Hall can create a more inclusive environment. Focusing on the cultural significance of these celebrations allows us to foster a stronger sense of connection and belonging. A balanced approach—combining neutral, school-wide initiatives with dorm-specific decorations that reflect resident preferences—can help achieve this goal.
The Challenges of Holiday Inclusivity:
It is important to acknowledge that some schools refrain from celebrating religious holidays because of the challenge of ensuring everyone feels included. It’s difficult to recognize all religious holidays without unintentionally excluding some. For example, if Christmas trees are displayed without acknowledging Hanukkah or other traditions, students who celebrate those holidays might feel overlooked. This could unintentionally suggest that some beliefs are less visible or valued, potentially making students feel alienated or unrecognized.
To address this, many schools adopt a neutral approach, choosing not to celebrate any religious holidays to maintain fairness. While this is an effective solution, it can also leave students disconnected during what is meant to be a festive season. This is where Dana Hall has an opportunity to do something more thoughtful and impactful.
Cultural vs. Religious Holidays:
A key distinction to consider is the difference between cultural and religious holidays. Dana Hall, for instance, celebrates the Lunar New Year as a cultural holiday without religious roots. At the same time, religious holidays often carry deep spiritual significance for those who observe them, making it essential for schools to approach their acknowledgment with thoughtfulness and respect.
Many holidays today, however, have evolved beyond their religious origins to hold broader cultural significance. For example, though rooted in Christianity, Christmas has become a cultural celebration for many, including those without religious ties. This evolution opens the door for schools to embrace such holidays in a cultural context, celebrating their unifying traditions while respecting diverse beliefs. Ultimately, embracing the cultural aspects of religious celebrations offers a thoughtful way to honor traditions while fostering inclusivity and mutual respect.
A Balanced Path Toward Inclusivity:
Creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere without exclusion is possible by being intentional with decorations and celebrations. In shared spaces like the dining hall and Common Ground, neutral seasonal decor—such as snowflakes, string lights, or winter-themed displays—could maintain inclusivity without leaning into specific religious symbols. For dorms, however, as a home away from home, the decor could take on a more personal touch. Each dorm could survey its boarders to decide on decorations that reflect the community’s preferences, creating a space that feels warm and festive while still respecting the school’s commitment to inclusivity.
Celebrating through food is another inclusive way to embrace the season. The dining hall has already set an excellent example with past acknowledgments of Ramadan through special meal options or serving apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah. These moments focus on the cultural aspects of holidays, allowing students of faith to feel seen while inviting others to explore and appreciate diverse traditions.
By combining neutral, school-wide approaches with dorm-specific decor based on resident preferences, Dana Hall can create an environment that fosters connection and belonging during the holiday season.
At the end of the day, the holiday season is about joy, compassion, and connection. As the year comes to a close, we have an incredible opportunity to approach celebrations around us with curiosity and an open mind. By choosing to learn about and appreciate the many ways people find meaning in this season, we can create a time of year that reminds us of the beauty in our differences and the connections we share—a season where every holiday has a story worth sharing, and every story brings us closer together.
Image source: Ann Che
Indresh Chandel