The year is full of so many amazing holidays, but today, Tim Sigidin and I selected our top five holidays during the year from our least favorite to our most favorite. Some honorable mentions that unfortunately did not make our top five are, Labor Day, Presidents’ Day, Fourth of July, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Easter, and Passover. While these are all fun and amazing holidays, they are not as good as our top five list!

#5 Valentine’s Day 

The reason why Valentine’s Day is not first on our list is that it is not as cherished as the other holidays. Valentine’s Day is still enjoyed by those who celebrate it, but for some, it is a holiday to skip due to not having a partner. Still, Valentine’s Day is a day of love and cherishing with spouses and other loved ones. though it can be a rainy day for the ones who do not have the Chicago company of a spouse or family.

So, not number one, but Valentine’s Day is still on this list. Fun fact: the origin of the heart comes from a now-extinct plant called silphium. Once found in Africa, the plant had the shape of a heart and was used as food coloring, a cough syrup, and most ironically, a contraceptive.

#4 New Year’s

The reason why we have New Year’s in this list is due to the fact that it celebrates a new year! New Year’s, whether celebrated with friends or family (or even both), is always an exciting time. New Year’s gives people a chance to improve on themselves over the year before. The holiday marks the start of new beginnings.

#3 Halloween 

Halloween is known for being a “scary” day for kids to become anyone but themselves, and to go crazy on candy! Halloween lets families go trick or treating together or with friends, and gives them the opportunity to enjoy the frightening things in life, such as watching a movie like Annabelle, visiting Basement of the Dead, or adding some spice with a scary corn maze.

Halloween is not only for kids, but also teens and adults who enjoy dressing up. We anticipate the top costumes this season will be Squid Game tracksuits, Harley Quinn and Loki-themed outfits. Halloween is a great occasion to be someone else.

#2 Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving easily takes the number two spot on our top five because who does not love food? On Thanksgiving, you get to spend the night with your family, eating delicious potatoes, turkey, stuffing, ham, gravy, cranberry sauce, cornbread/dinner rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie, pulled pork, Jewel food, and the turkey that took so long to prepare (well, except for the Jewel food). Just getting to enjoy the night with your closest friends and family is a treat. The holiday also marks a time to be thankful for everything you have in life and everything you have accomplished.

#1 Christmas 

Christmas is easily number one: no other holidays come close! There are so many things you can do during this special winter holiday, like go shopping, look at Christmas trees, sled, ice skate, and get into snowball fights! Like many of the holidays in this top five list, during the Christmas season, you are able to spend quality time with family and friends, enjoy foods such as turkey, chicken, steak, and cake! Last year, I enjoyed some chicken tenders from McDonald’s, so there really is something for everyone to eat on this festive occasion.

You also are able to open gifts, a favorite activity! Christmas cheer is spread around, and everyone is in a good mood for an entire month because there is so much for which to be happy and grateful.

Not convinced by our top choices? We asked students at Community High School which holiday was their favorite and why in the video below.