International Terps Holiday Traditions

We asked some of our Maryland student-athletes to share their favorite holiday traditions from around the world. Check out some of their responses below.

Ali Berker
Freshman • Men’s Golf
Sevilla, Spain

“In Spain for New Years, when it’s time to count down, we eat 12 grapes. It's on national TV and then every time the bell rings, you have to eat one grape, so it's really a process. You eat 12 grapes and it’s supposed to be good luck. There's also a tradition that if you go under the table, it's to find love.

We have another big celebration and it's on the 6th of January. It’s called La Cavalcada and it’s really, really famous in all of Spain. So basically, we have separate from Santa Claus we have Jesus Christ  and the three Wise Men. And so they're like kings that bring gifts all the children. So we also have like a second Christmas and that's really famous was that they go in like, different like cars around the streets and they throw candy around to people. And it's really special for all kids because everyone's on the street catching candy. It's a really great celebration.”

Ela Platenikova
Freshman • Women’s Tennis
Bratislava, Slovakia

“One apple is randomly selected and cut in half crosswise. If there was a star in the middle, it means happiness and health for the family. The apple was then cut so that every member of the family could eat it. But if the center was in the shape of a cross, illness or death awaited the family.”

“I would say my favorite tradition is going to my friends pub which is near where we live. The whole family and all of our closest friends living in the same area go there before having Christmas dinner.”

Kayla Thorpe
Senior • Track & Field
Barbados

"Before Christmas, people shop for the most beautiful outfit in Bridgetown. On Christmas morning at 5 a.m., a large number of people in Barbados will attend church services in their best outfits. After church, people head to Queens Park with hundreds of people in attendance and everyone there is dressed down. There’s music playing, shows, and everyone walking up and down to show off their attire. Making and eating black cake together is a holiday tradition in my culture. A Bajan delicacy that must be on the table is Bajan macaroni pie, Christmas ham, sweet bread, mauby, and tiger malts. We also drink sorrel that had been prepared the previous evening. Dried sorrel, sugar, water, orange zest, cloves, and raw ginger are all included in the sorrel. Lastly, we spend the entire day listening to Christmas music and opening gifts together. It all comes down to spending time with those you love, which can include your neighbors. Christmas every year for us growing up.

"My favorite family tradition from back home is when we all contribute to preparing Christmas dinner like it is Thanksgiving as a family. From the moment we wake up we listen to Soca and Christmas music. My family and I listen to music while we help my mom cook, clean, and prepare family dinner. We enjoy Bajan delicacies like macaroni pie, sweet bread, malts, sorrel and mauby. After dinner, someone plays Santa and we open gifts one person at a time. After opening gifts, we watch a Christmas movie as a collective and eat desserts."

Tammy Wu
Sophomore • Women's Golf
Taichung, Taiwan

“My favorite tradition is Chinese New Years. It is the time when all my family gather in my grandparents’ house, catching up and playing some games with each other. And all the aunts, uncles and grandparents will give the children red envelopes with money in it. It’s a sign of giving blessings and luck for the coming year!”