Different cultures are celebrating their special events. We live in a very multicultural Country and there are a lot of people in our country who celebrate their holidays at this time.

Christians are observing Christmas holidays. Celebrated in many different ways, common elements include celebrating the birth of Christ. Decorations include manger scenes, decorated trees, lights and ornaments. Many Christians attend special church services at this time.

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is a Jewish celebration also known as the Festival of Lights. It is an eight-day celebration that commemorates rededication and purification of the temple after their victory over the Greek Syrians in 165 BC.

Kwanzaa is celebrated by the African Community. Kwanzaa comes from Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning first fruits of the harvest. While not a religious holiday, it is a celebration honouring their heritage.

In the Buddhist culture, Bodhi Day is a celebration of enlightenment. In his determination to reach enlightenment, Prince Siddhartha Gautama vowed to sit under the peepal tree (now known as Bodhi Tree) until he was able to experience Nirvana. Upon attaining the enlightenment, he became known as the Buddha, or the “Awakened One”.

Pagans, one of the oldest groups mark the coming winter as Yule. This is often a time when homes are decorated with evergreen wreaths and boughs, mistletoe, yule trees, holly, and ivy. This marks the winter solstice. The time when night and day are the same length and the start of longer daytime hours.

We realise this is not a comprehensive list and apologise to any we’ve not covered in our brief acknowledgement of the coming season. Please allow all of us here at Pelco to wish you the happiest of times in whichever way you choose to celebrate this special time of year.