Winter Fun, Holiday Drama and Giving Back: Seasonal Writing By Teens

Before winter arrives, I visualize myself eating all the mouthwatering food that comes along with the winter holidays and traditions. Various foods such as tamales, pozole, and mole are eaten on special occasions like Christmas. While my sister disregards that these amazing dishes are eaten once or twice a year, I make the most out of these days.

— Yahir, Hyattsville, MD

One thing I appreciate about winter is that it gives my extended family time to come together. Over the last few years, seeing my relatives has gotten harder and harder, due to Covid, and some of my family moving farther away … No longer can my family simply drive down the coast to see them for a few days, or vice versa. Instead, we need plane tickets, and usually a full week to properly see each other now. Winter gives our family just enough time to see my uncle and aunt, because of the long winter break at the end of December.

— William, East Lyme

I think mountaineering in the winter is spectacular … I prefer snowshoeing, a slower approach that allows me to soak in my snow-covered surroundings. The crisp, cold air gently blows against my exposed face, and I can feel the sky above on the edge of more snowfall. I trek up the slopes, snaking along frozen streams and across picturesque wooden bridges, the snowbanks carrying me over the most rugged roots and rocks below. It’s just me and the ethereal reflections of the sun on distant white peaks. It can be hard to get a sense of the natural beauty in the summer when the tree’s leaves and summer haze obscure the views, and peak-season activity jeopardizes this cherished solitude. Moreover, unlike my other hiking experiences, there isn’t a mosquito in sight and I’m not soaking in sweat.

— Nathan, East Lyme Highschool

Quiet. Quiet is undoubtedly the aspect of winter that I appreciate most, and is a large part of why this frigid season is my favorite. If you haven’t noticed, our lives are filled with constant noise. And I’m not just talking metaphorical noise, but rather our lives are literally filled with very noisy things. The average person will typically wake up to the racket of cars, lawnmowers, airplanes, leaf blowers, and all sorts of other frankly exhausting sources of unending noise. But winter is different. When the snow falls, everything goes quiet. Not only does the snow physically absorb sound waves, but it also prevents people from doing things like yard work. Driving is less safe when it snows, so people opt not to go anywhere. For a moment, the world is still. My brother and I can walk outside to play with the dog, and silence will greet us at the door. In a world where finding quiet is becoming increasingly more difficult, it is imperative that we take the time to appreciate such moments of peace.

— Bennett, Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn IL