Christmas in Idaho

For 20 years, the Idaho State Historical Society produced a “charming, old timey newsletter,” called the Prospector, for Idaho students and anyone interested in learning more about Idaho History. An archive of the newsletter, available at https://history.idaho.gov/prospector-club-archives/, contains an edition titled “Christmas in the West” that chronicles some of the Christmas traditions dating back to the start of our great State. One paints a lovely holiday picture of our capital city during its Idaho Territory days:

“In Boise, it was the custom in the 1860s to have a community tree rather than traditional ones in homes. The nearest evergreens were on top of the Boise Foothills, which was several miles from the town and for most families it was too far to get a tree. In 1865 The Idaho Statesman announced that ‘The Christmas Tree will be available to all who wish to communicate through it with their friends.’ People could bring gifts for the community tree and a party would follow on Christmas Eve, which was open to everyone to attend. Organized charity was usually not needed because neighbors would help those who were in need, giving gifts to those children who were going through hard times. When families and friends gathered for the day itself, they simply enjoyed each other’s company. They sang carols, told stories of past Christmases, played games, and put aside a time for individual religious traditions.”

In the years since those early Christmases, Christmas traditions have continued to blossom across Idaho, for example:

• Christmas Trees — Transportation has advanced considerably since the 1860s, making it easier and a customary tradition for many Idaho families to go out and cut their own Christmas tree from our national forests. The Boise National Forest maintains a guide at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/boise/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=STELPRDB5043600 containing information about obtaining Christmas Tree permits, including opportunities for area fourth-grade students to apply for free Christmas Tree permits in coordination with the “Every Kid Outdoors” program. Similar information is available on websites for Idaho’s other national forests, and Christmas Tree permits can be purchased as available through Recreation.gov.

• Secret Santa — Those who watch the Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello-area news may be familiar with a longtime Secret Santa tradition, in which Nate Eaton with East Idaho News delivers gifts from an anonymous Secret Santa who fills the needs of deserving people in eastern Idaho.

For example, a single mom struggling with health issues received groceries and furniture. A family dealing with a child’s medical condition received assistance with covering expenses not covered by insurance. A young man raising his sisters after their mother’s untimely death received assistance with groceries and paying for their mother’s headstone. Touching videos of their stories and gifts can be viewed at https://www.eastidahonews.com/secret-santa/.

• Rupert Christmas Festival — Rupert is known as “Christmas City” for its Christmas Festival held in the Rupert City Square. The festival includes a Christmas City Market with vendors, ice skating, caroling and food trucks. Information about the annual event is accessible at https://visitsouthidaho.com/rupert-christmas-festival/.

• Light Up Ceremonies — Coeur d’Alene (https://cdadowntown.com/cda-events/lighting-ceremony/), is among the communities across the State that hold an Annual Lighting Ceremony Parade with marching bands, dancing, music, floats and fireworks as residents adorn the community with the holiday spirit. Similarly, Pocatello has a light parade and Christmas in the Night Time Skies event with bonfires and fireworks.

This is not a complete list of the beautiful Christmas traditions in communities across Idaho. No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays this year, I hope the holiday season brings you and your loved ones much joy, rest and renewal. Wishing you all tidings of comfort and joy.

Mike Crapo represents the state of Idaho in the U.S. Senate. He can be reached at crapo.senate.gov.