I am amazed at how Leah Koenig can write an article about the “holidays” two weeks before Dec. 25 and not once mention Christmas (Dec. 7 Reporter). Christmas is not only recognized as a national holiday here in the U.S. but celebrated by millions of Christians around the world.

I’m also astonished at how her elementary school students wrote poems about what they enjoy about their “holidays” and not one wrote about Santa Claus or Christmas presents. That in itself is amazing, I wonder where they got that idea. She states that the assignment was a reminder of what a simple lens our children view the “holidays” through and what creates memories: traditions.

What could be a more accepted tradition than Christmas? A tradition that people all over the globe celebrate. A tradition built on the phase “peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.” People like Leah Koenig are diminishing the true meaning and wonderful tradition of Christmas by referring to it as just a “holiday.” Giving or exchanging gifts at Christmas time is a sign of offering peace to one another.

I don’t know about the kids in her class but I don’t remember one hot chocolate, one bedtime story or ever frosting sugar cookies. What I do remember is my first Lionel model train, my first bicycle and my first baseball mitt, all of which came from Santa. What a wonderful tradition. By the way, I didn’t get “holiday” pajamas, I got Christmas pajamas on Christmas eve.

When we went out caroling, we sang Christmas carols. We didn’t wrap “holiday” gifts, we wrapped Christmas gifts. We didn’t go out as a family tradition and buy a “holiday” tree, we bought a Christmas tree.

She talks about reducing the ambiguity and anxiety from the “holidays.” What is more ambiguous than to not recognize Christmas? Other than Easter, it might be the most celebrated holiday in the world.

James Summa, Redmond