Holiday cheers spreads around Saratoga

Every year during the holiday season, downtown Saratoga is filled with the bright spirit with the resurrecting of the annual Christmas tree and the bright and colorful lights that deck out the streets. 

“I love Saratoga downtown during the holiday season because of the bright lights and the central tree,” junior Aisha Pai said. “The mood of the season is just so great.”

The spirit of Christmas can be seen in the decorations outside Villa Montalvo, the cultural hub stationed in the heart of Saratoga.  

“In the [Montalvo] Art Center there are always a lot of concerts and the spread of holiday cheer during the winter,” junior Anshika Maheshwari said. “The lights on the trees and decorations that are put up around the art center make it a much nicer place to be around.”

Every year, there are holiday boutiques held at the Montalvo. The school also puts on its own Holiday Boutique, which was held on Nov. 23 this year. At these boutiques, vendors sell many festive items for shoppers in preparation for the holiday season.

Saratoga has progressively increased its festivities over the years. 

“My parents grew up here and my mom remembers the downtown not having as many lights and decorations as it does today,” sophomore Darby Williams said. “Although the Saratoga she knew wasn’t as spirited, she remembers an old movie theater that used to show holiday movies.” 

Students feel that the spirit of downtown adds to the holiday season.

“Although Saratoga downtown is  small, once the lights are up and the trees are assembled, the holiday cheer spreads all around,” sophomore Naved Krishnamurthy said.