We already know that the only colors our school has on its walls are the strips of tiles in each of the different hallways. With the grey and white walls, and the lack of school “decoration,” walking down the halls is depressing enough. It being December, and winter break rolling around the corner, I think it would do the school some good to put up holiday decorations.

Now, I know what people are thinking. We can’t have Christmas decorations around the school, because not everyone is Christian. I know that. I’m not expecting pictures of baby Jesus and the nativity scene to be hung up on the walls, but maybe a cut out Santa Clause or a fake Christmas tree somewhere.

This goes for Hanukah as well. No one’s asking teachers to hand out dreidels, but even a plastic menorah would work. Imagine how nice some blue and white and red and green tinsel would look hanging around some of the classroom doors.

A good majority of the student body celebrates Christmas and/or Hanukah, in one way or another. I think that those students who do not can put up with holiday decorations for three weeks. It’s not like someone is trying to convert you to Christianity when they say “Merry Christmas.”

"It's irritating that I have to be careful when I say Merry Christmas to someone," junior Kelly Hall said. "I want to be able to say it to everyone without being offensive."

Just as an example, people show respect to those who observe Ramadan. I think that Christians and Jews should be able to get that same amount of respect when we want to celebrate our religious holidays in school.

Setting up decorations would be a lot of work, but I’m sure some students in leadership or the Spirit Club would be willing to make them and put them up. I think any type of decoration would be good. They would brighten things up and put people in a better mood. They wouldn’t necessarily have to be religious. Candy canes and snowmen would even be acceptable, considering they are more associated with winter.

I do have to give the school some credit though. We do have the annual candy grams sent out, and those are always fun for students. But we could definitely do a lot more.

Coming from a Catholic school, I know what it’s like to have holiday decorations in the classrooms and halls, specifically Christmas. And I can honestly say that they make students happier.

I think next year, the school, and students, should give decorating a shot.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza, and enjoy the holidays!