sEASONAL

Christmas Creep 

By: Christine Reynolds

Have you ever heard of the Christmas Creep? Most middle schoolers don’t know about it, but all should know. Do you ever feel that Christmas is getting closer and closer each year? That everyone keeps on talking about and talking about even though it's the middle of September? Are you starting to see decorations on houses in stores or even hearing about people's Christmas shopping, too soon? You are not alone, and I’m about to tell you why. 

Have you ever had an advent calendar that would count down the days till Christmas with 24 to 25 days? Well now stores are selling advent calendars with advent gifts for 30 days. This may not sound like a big difference from 25 to 30, but this is where the Christmas Creep comes into play.  Extending the Christmas countdown little by little each year with us not even noticing.  

This is actually because of us consumers. Stores are in high demand for Christmas toys and decorations, with people wanting to get their Christmas shopping done early. The demand increases every year with everyone wanting to get decorations and presents. So, it causes stores to get their Christmas inventory early. This is also because of emotional engagement. It helps stores make people think Christmas is coming way sooner than they thought and must get ready. Making consumers get their decorations up early and buying Christmas presents. That also makes It a business strategy for buyers to buy their stores decorations on the spot. 

Your question may have been "what or who is the Christmas Creep?" Your mind might of went straight to a conclusion like it was a person stealing Christmas decorations like the Grinch. Or some random creeper in Minecraft. Simply, we are the Christmas Creep; causing the Christmas countdown to come closer every year. There is nothing wrong with that, like who doesn't like Christmas?!? 

        Salem Witch Trials

            By Hailey Masini

       Have you ever watched the movie Hocus Pocus or at least heard of it? The beginning actually takes place in the Salem Witch Trials times where the Sanderson Sisters are known witches in the area. Now this may seem interesting to you so let me tell you about it.

       It all started on one day in Massachusetts in January 1692. Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail started to twist and twitch into distorted shapes and spoke gibberish as if in a trance. When they were taken to the doctor, he revealed that they were bewitched.

       You are probably wondering “What are they talking about?” and “Why did they do this?” just listen and I will tell you. So, in medieval times, many religions were taught that the devil could give people the power to harm other people and in return, they would receive the devil’s respect. These people were known as witches. 

       A witch had bewitched these Parris citizens, and the town was determined to find out who was using witchcraft. When the townspeople asked the girls who did this, they accused three people. Tituba (last name unknown), Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne. All three of those women were not well liked by the community so the town agreed and put them in jail until further word.

       During the trial, Tituba confessed that she saw the devil and that there was a group of witches in the village. Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne swore that they were innocent, but the jury didn’t believe them. All three of them were eventually hanged because of accusations.

Weeks after the trial, Abigail and Betty seemed to be infected with witchcraft and many accused people of this. Many so called “witches” on trial even named some other people in town, witches. The trails got a little out of hand and 24 people died by getting hanged. After seeing how unfair and out-of-hand the trials got, the court decided to not take anymore cases about witchcraft and all “witches” in jail were let out.