Brooke - Winter in NOLA

The Unpredictable weather

Will not stifle sweaters

Nor the urge to drink hot chocolate

Despite the air condition and the sweat

Constellations wrapped around knotted trees

Oh god, please let there be a Brees.

I believe in this thing called winter.

And the staged Christmas cards I sent her

Heat and humidity stuff stockings

Yes, northeast, we can hear you mocking.

At our synthetic firs

And “low” temperatures

But the holidays below sea level

Don’t involve getting out the shovel

Brooke, age 17

Shealynn - Winter in NOLA

There is no snow in sight

White Christmases are rarely found here;

And although it gets cold at night

New Orleans is full of good, holiday cheer.

The streetcars everyone holds dear

Are covered with garland and giant red bows

One may find it queer for someone to want to keep them up all year

But in this strange city, anything goes.

All the children here are waiting for that beautiful snow

Though adults understand there’s no guarantee

Nevertheless who knows,

Guess we’ll all just have to wait and see.

Shealynn, age 16

Chelsea - Winter in NOLA

You know it's Christmas when

you go anywhere and hear it's Christmas time in new Orleans

Canal st is all decorated

You go into the Roosevelt hotel and it is a winterwonderland

You see the carolers on st Charles

They light the christmas tree in the French quarter

That's when you know it's Christmas


Chelsea, age 15

Taylor - Winter in NOLA

Some may say you haven’t experienced the holiday season until it snows, but down here in the party
city we would disagree and say you don’t know what it means to have Christmas in New Orleans! As for
the snow we’ve had our share and that’s enough for me because one of those rare instances was soon
followed by the infamous Katrina.

As a diehard New Orleanian the cold is not my friend; 70 degrees is about as low as I would see fit to
leave the house otherwise all schools and obligations should be put on hold until it warms up a bit.

Living in New Orleans, you learn at a young age to make the best of any situation and continue the
party. So snow or no snow we will continue to sit back with a cup of hot egg nog, bundled up like
Eskimos as we sit around the TV and enjoy the Christmas season!! Happy Holidays

Taylor, age 16

Jade - Winter in NOLA

Cold mornings, colder nights

Christmas in the Oaks

No fights

Unforgettable nights

Uggs, and a Northface

Hot coco and marshmallows

Bonfires and friends

O, Nola nights!

Jade, age 15

Jackie - Winter in NOLA

Have you gone to summer camp?

I have so often

Therefore I should know

What its like to have a Christmas in July.

Its warm, its joyful, and its unique

But, its what exactly describes

New Orleans in the Holiday Season

Although, the cold weather

Does seem to seep through the warm weather

But the lights are hung on roofs,

Bushes, trees, windows.

The smiles emerge

The stores are packed

And the surprises are occurring everywhere

Its one of the happiest times

Its one of the favorite emotions that fill the air.

Jackie, age 16

Molly - Winter in NOLA

In December, it’s hot.

There are still wreaths up.

In December, it’s hot.

We still listen to jazzy Christmas carols.

In December, it’s hot.

So we eat jambalaya instead of gumbo for Christmas.

In December it’s hot.

But we still drink hot chocolate.

In December it’s hot.

But we wear our Christmas sweaters anyway.

In December it’s hot.

But we pretend that it’s cold.

Molly, age 15

Megan - Winter in NOLA

New Orleans is a conceited city
we think we are special because it doesn’t snow during the holidays
when did the holidays become all about snow?
we have gifts
we have carolers
and we have just as much holiday spirit as anyone else

but we want people to feel bad that we don’t experience a winter wonderland
but we shriek everytime the temperature drops below 75
snow is cold
snow is unpredictable
snow is wet
it requires layers of clothing to just walk outside

New Orleans is a conceited city
but I would think we would be so solipsistic to see the benefits in our lack of snow
snow is contradictory- miserable yet majestic
New Orleans is better off without it
But that’s just it

Were arrogant and proud of our city
We do not like thinking we do not have something.

Megan, age 16

Emily - Winter in NOLA

In the mornings, the garlands and wreathes are drenched with dew
And the brightly colored bows sag in the heat
The wooden snowman in the garden has his painted eyes on the rising sun
As he wonders silently why he is out
For the summer

There is a fleeting day of summer
When the mist hangs heavy in the air
And a warm breeze stirs the leaves
People can relax in the heat
There is a laziness induced by the utter lack of shivering at this time of year

But the wise men never get too comfortable 
Because the warmth lasts only till the next rain, the next wind
When winter  once again breaths it’s frosty breath on the poor, coatless southerners

In New Orleans
Where you can never depend on the whether
You can always depend on people
Every one as different as a snowflake

And while there is no white Christmas here
And the weather is scarcely frightful
And Frosty the Snowman is made of plastic and filled with air

When there is singing in Jackson Square,
The city is covered, not in a blanket of frosty white
But in a blanket of happy voices
Warmth, Merriment
And love

Emily, age 15

Anonymous - Winter in NOLA

Christmas in New Orleans

Burning cold and wetness.
Some might ask how this might be.
Something so cold that it burns?
Something that should be dry is wet?

Christmas in the Oaks, warm gumbo,
and wreaths on every streetcar.

Some might be asking where and what this is.
Decorations on the “Wedding Cake House”,
                                          fake snow in damp yards,
girls in white dresses with their moms
                                       waiting for Teddy Bear Tea.
You are asking where might this happen.
Its here, in New Orleans, where else would it be?

Anonymous, age 14

Ashley - Winter in NOLA

When you read the Cajun Night Before Christmas,

When carolers play saxophones,

When streetcars are decorated like Christmas trees,

When most Christmas pics are taken by oak trees,

When your Christmas isn’t white,

When you eat gumbo on Christmas day,

When you know what Christmas means,

You know it’s Christmastime in New Orleans

Ashley, age 17

Sarah - Winter in NOLA

When its Christmas time in New Orleans

Fire places are roaring

Children are singing

Bells are ringing

Snow is not falling

But NOLA is not crying.

New Orleans celebrates Christmas in a different way

It is unexplainable.

One day hot, the next day cold

But that is how New Orleanians roll

Sarah, age 16

Liza - Winter in NOLA

Chapped lips, cold feet, dry face

But where’s the snow?

In the mall and on the trees

But where’s the snow?

Jumped out of bed and ran to the window

But where’s the snow?

Forecast tomorrow –rain.

Eyes glistening with white hope

Rain comes but no snow.

Liza, age 17

Anonymous - Winter in NOLA

no snow to be seen

beautiful New Orleans cheer

strange clothes everywhere

Anonymous, age 14

Grace - Winter in NOLA

Cold air comes and leaves without a notice
Not even a “hello” or “goodbye”
The chill is always unexpected.
It quietly interrupts the overpowering heat
And freezes the inhabitants of our adapted society
The season of winter in New Orleans,
Does it exist?


Grace, age 17

Annie - Winter in NOLA

New Orleans in the Holiday Season

Going to City Park to Christmas in the Oaks

Lights going up around the city

The air becoming chilly

Friends and family getting together

Laughter and love filling the air

Exams drifting closer and closer

People hugging

People being happy and cheerful because Christmas is near

Joy spreading around the city

A feeling of home and togetherness is what the holiday season in New Orleans is

Annie, age 16

Madeline - Winter in NOLA

Not as cold as it should be!

Ornaments on the tree!

Lights outside on the houses in Uptown, Lakeview, and Metairie!

All about the avenue!

Will it ever snow??

Invitations to Christmas in the Oaks and winter balls!

Now, how about them tigas and Saints?

Tinsel wrapping the presents under the tree!

Evening out to get the Christmas tree in the cold.

Running out of school after our last day of exams!

Madeline, age 15

Julia - Winter in NOLA

The weather in New Orleans is not ideal for Christmas,

but Christmas in New Orleans is still filled with joy and memories...

Going to pick out different shaped colored Christmas tress, because your mother believes "they are so much more fun"

The excitement in the air when picking up your siblings from the airport

Dad trying to find his collection of winter hats he has been preparing for everyone all year for that ONE day in New Orleans it gets cold....but just can't seem to find them in the garage

Hearing your brother talk about how he has decided to go on "Deadliest Catch"

Actually needing to talk to your neighbors because they are in the "holiday spirit"

Walking into a headache, because your parents have decided to light all of the holiday candles

During Christmas time "pains and annoyances" turn into joy!

Julia, age 16

Katie - Winter in NOLA

Yats

Mr. Bingle

The Cajun Christmas

The magic of Fulton Street

Caroling In Jackson Square                                Hot Gumbo with Warm Rolls

      The spirit of community                 playoffs                    The spirit of hospitality

Pictures at City Park             Lights of the Roosevelt              Santa’s Workshop.

     Alligator reindeer              Laughter in air                Lights on Canal                
Trumpets                   downtown                            love                               

Love

Nutcracker

Playoffs

BCS Championship

Poinsettias

Caroling                            Candy Dome                            Garland

the not too hot                       not too cold

no snow                 no quiet

shopping

Home

Katie, age 16

Lillie - Winter in NOLA

Wintertime in New Orleans is similar to any othersub-tropical city. It’s muggy and border line cold, with a few wintery showers sprinkling against the streetcar lights. Nothing seems to change in thebackdrop, save more clouds invading more days. Coffee and hot chocolate reign without reason, as if only to comfort those yearning for snow.  Regardless, the best feeling in the world is created after a walk through the French Quarter on an especially dreary day, after the flagging down of a streetcar, after the opening of a window, and an investment in warm liquid accompanied by a coozy.


Lillie, age 17

Lucy - Winter in NOLA

People can barely tell when winter comes in Nola,

It’s about the same temperature as summers in most places.

The winter comes and the cold air blows,

And yet, snow never falls.

It’s depressing when I pray to Santa every year,

For the same thing and it rarely happens:

Snow.

This Christmas I will do the same thing.

I will get on my pajamas, march downstairs,

Kneel next to the Christmas tree, fold my hands and bow my head,

And pray that this year ‘Santa’ will bring me snow.

Lucy, age 17

Meredith - Winter in NOLA

New Orleans in Christmas time is different from others:
We may not have a white Christmas
We may not have snowmen
We may not have holiday caroling
We may not have figgy pudding,
But the Christmas cheer still roams throughout the air
With garland and lights,
With an abundance of Christmas trees,
With unnecessary snuggies, hot chocolate, and 25 days of Christmas,
With hallmark movies warming one’s heart,
With the ever-changing weather, and leafs still on the trees.

Meredith, age 17

Maeve - Winter in NOLA

Christmas in New Orleans means…

Mr. Bingle, City Park, and

a fake ice skating rink that smells like buttered rum.

We try to be like the cities up north

with their real snow and fuzzy woodland creatures.

Well,

I have a nutria in my backyard.

And I’m pretty sure that a possum is eating my cat’s food.

Does that count?

So I guess that Christmas also means…

Rabies?

Maeve, age 17

Camille - Winter in NOLA

There is cheer in the air, carol on our minds, and lights on our houses. Holiday time in New Orleans is with and for the community. The mood is light and playing on the radio is the ancient CD of A New Orleans Christmas. Our cups are filled with eggnog and spiced with rum, a light touch of nutmeg on top. An evergreen tree decorated with homemade ornaments and lights fulfills our senses. The light in our souls are high; the lights in the bulb are down low. Patterns of Christmas trees, snowmen, and snowflakes are on our cookies. Red and green are on our clothes, Santa hats worn on our heads. Our young wish for snow, our elders are surprised when we get it. The city is never emptied by those leaving for Holiday trips. More join us in our holiday celebration. During the holiday season, warmth is in our hearts.


Camille, age 16

Francie - Winter in NOLA

101.9 on constant play, 
The magic of Christmas.  
Christmas lights on Metairie Road, 
And peppermint coffee at CC's. 
Faux fire while studying for exams
Leaves just a little hope,
That when this is all done, 
It's going to be Christmas!

Wake up on Christmas morning, 
Crack of dawn by a screaming nine year old.  
Waiting on the top of the stairs, 
While "Santa" is still wrapping the presents.  
Seeing the joy among the ones I love, 
that is my kind of New Orleans Christmas. 


Francie, age 16

Leira - Winter in NOLA

It’s cold

Finally

A rare chance for you

To wear old sweaters

Long months unused

Bring out your Christmas lights

Your poinsettas

Your holly

Make the Yuletide gay

Miles away are

Your troubles

Stay up all night

Or at least try

You know you won’t

Adrenaline only lasts for so long

But despite the fact

That Christmas is fleeting

Your memories made here

Will remain eternal

Always and forever

You wake up early

Ignore the cold floor

Dash to the decorated tree

Begin a beautiful day

And make memories to

Last a Lifetime

Leira, age 17

Ashley - Winter in NOLA

Who needs to make snow angels when we can make dirt angels?
Who needs to go sledding when we can just drive cars?
Who needs to go ice skating when we can rollerblade?
Who would want to miss school for a snow day when we canlearn?
Who would want to bundle up in heavy jackets when we canwear light sweaters?
I am perfectly happy with my semi-cool, barren groundChristmas.
A New Orleans Christmas is nothing like what a Christmas is “suppose”to be like,
And that is why I loveit.


Ashley, age 16

Elizabeth - Winter in NOLA

As the holidays are drawing near
Everyone is filled with joy and cheer
Snowflakes, light, decorations
Woohooo the Christmas season is sweeping the nation
The streets of the city are filled with the holiday spirits
You can hear carols, bells, and laughter
The delicious food in the city does not stop at the holiday season
It just gets better
Friends and family are smiling and having a great time just being together
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year

Elizabeth, age 16

Megann - Winter in NOLA

frosty stained glass and freezing wrought iron

this is my christmas in new orleans

cat hats and sweatpants line the hallways 

this is my christmas in new orleans

city park glowing

red 

green

blue

this is my christmas in new orleans 

reindeer headbands and santa hats show

black and gold

black and gold

this is my christmas in new orleans

streetcar garlands sway sway 

all of the heat away away 

this is my christmas in new orleans

bells ring ding dong

kids wait, how long?

how long until it's my christmas in new orleans?

Megann, age 16

Helene - Winter in NOLA

The fire slowly burning
the gas turned on high
no kindle needed for this glowing happiness
the lights hanging
imitating to the Spanish moss usually present
leaning down from the branches
to kiss the tops of heads
The smell of a cherry pie
Tricking your senses into believing
That a treat is waiting for you at home
But no
It is just the wood, crackling in the fire
Emitting the fragrant smell
That only comes with Christmastide

Helene, age 16

Brittany - Winter in NOLA

Celebration in the Oaks

Sparkling light displays

Miniature Train Replica

Crowd standing around

Elementary children singing

Parent’s applause

Botanical Gardens

Lights floating in trees above

Butterfly garden

Archway entrance

Story land

Miniature houses

Amusement Rides

Music playing

Carousel Gardens

A couple holding hands

the joy of Christmas in New Orleans

Britany, age 17

Holly - Winter in NOLA

Christmas in New Orleans combines the city's unique personality with the jolliest time of the

year.

Whether walking down Fulton St.

Seeing the ginger bread house in the Roosevelt Hotel

Walking through Christmas in the Oaks

Caroling on Bayou St. John

Seeing the decorated Christmas tree in the Ritz

Or just being with family,

The people of New Orleans are united.

It may only snow once every few years and is never really that cold,

But New Orleans does Christmas in a way unlike any other—

in a way that cannot be replicated by any other city or by any other group of people.

Holly, age 17

Sarah-Ford - Winter in NOLA

(To the tune of Jingle Bells)

Driving in the heat

In an open convertible

Through the warmth we go

Sweating all the way (ew ew ew)

Watching as it rains

Wishing for snow

What fun it is to be a part of nola x-mas fun

Ohhhhhhhh…

Sarah-Ford, age 17

Rachel - Winter in NOLA

Christmas is a time for laughter and cheer,
Visitors get more then enough while here.

From tacky Christmas parties to endless shopping,
There is never a second to spare,
As the holiday spirit fills you, dear.

There is not a sad face near,
Whenever Christmas is here.

Christmas may not be a time for snow,
But New Orleans doesn’t fear,
There is enough cheer to share.

Rachel, age 17

Darby - Winter in NOLA

Christmas in NOLA

Alternations between sticky and cold
confuse visitors and locals alike
as the sun sets and Christmas lights envelop
Jackson Square.

Carolers take over Jackson Square the week before Christmas
as they huddle in thick coats,
trying to spread the holiday cheer

Closer to Christmas, the closer to family
we are as we spend every second in holiday cheer.

When Christmas ends, the celebration goes on
and reminds us that it won’t be over for long.

Darby, age 17

Caroline - Winter in NOLA

New Orleans at Christmas time

So much joy to fill the air

Jingle Bells ringing everywhere

Happiness spread throughout the city

If only this season could last forever

The bright lights blinking at night

No wonder they shine more and more

The fire place to keep you warm

And family to make everything merry

The Christmas tree to hover over the presents

There might be no snow

But Christmas is always special in the Big Easy

Caroline, age 15

Caroline - Winter in NOLA

When it is winter in New Orleans

You never see snow,

But when you see it every few years

It is such a wonderful thing,

That schools all over the city

Will let the students leave class and exams

For this once in a lifetime treat.

Speaking of snowing in New Orleans,

Back when I believed in Santa Claus,

I begged him to bring us snow on Christmas Day 2004,

And that present was given to me. 

Strange huh? 

I’ll never forget my eight-inch snowman

Who melted within an hour. 

Caroline, age 16

Courtney - Winter in NOLA

christmas in the oaks
hot chocolate in mugs
rides at city park
lull in the quarter
christmas trees everywhere
aroma of food wafting through the air
family time
heavy coats
humid cold
winter in nola

Courtney, age 17

Ruthie - Winter in NOLA

Cold welcoming the crisp

air in lungs full of water

turning my insides into frost

condensing inside of me

and lifting up

like fingers reaching up

stretching out my throat 

and pushing open my lips--

it comes out in short breaths,

clouds rolling off my tongue.

Ruthie, age 17

Emily - Winter in NOLA

WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND

When Christmas comes around, there is change

A change in mood

A change in weather

A change in spirit

When Christmas comes around, there is joy

Joy from giving

Joy from receiving

Joy from music

When Christmas comes around, there is love

Love from family

Love from friends

Love from God

When Christmas comes around, there is forgiveness

 Forgiveness for sins

Forgiveness for actions

Forgiveness for criticism

When Christmas comes around, spirits are lifted, and everything gets better.

Emily, age 16 

Catie - Winter in NOLA

Pushing my family out of the door to go to Christmas in the Oaks late at night when it’s freezing cold in NOLA
Oh such memories
I can only hope that this Christmas is as joyful as last
Advent candles, lights everywhere, and decorations
Making my dog where her “HO HO HO” sweater when we go on walks
Bundling up so tight that only your face is cold while sipping on Swiss Miss outside
Coming inside and falling asleep all cozy up next to the fireplace
Eating so many Hershey kisses as they sit in a glass container next to you, open for everyone to take
You know once you have hung the stockings it is Christmas time
Having “real snow fall” at Loyola where they have their Christmas party
Watching “Eloise at Christmastime” on twenty-five days of Christmas
The NOLA spirit during the Holidays is unbeatable

Catie, age 16

Haley - Winter in NOLA

The way the holiday season alters people’s moods completely is foreign to me.

Once Thanksgiving comes to a close and Christmas becomes more present than ever, everyone seems to
change.

Smiles become bigger, laughter is heard more often, and you can see a certain glow on people’s faces.

It’s amazing how Christmas lights can lift someone’s spirits. Just seeing houses decorated sets a fantasy
mood in the air.

Each holiday season is different, even though all the things are the same.

I’m curious to see what this season has in store.

Haley, age 15

Ciara - Winter in NOLA

The feeling of the holidays is in the air

Not just any holiday, it’s Christmas here

Christmas in New Orleans brings joy to all

They come from here and there to obtain the joy

In this Christmas in New Orleans air

Yes, it’s Christmas here and it’s Christmas there

But there is nothing like Christmas in New Orleans

There’s music, there’s food, and Santa Clauses too

Ciara, age 16

Anna Marie - Winter in NOLA

It’s Christmas time in New Orleans

The bells are ringing, the children are singing.

People are embracing the holiday spirit.

New Orleans, New Orleans, it’s Christmas time.

Families are caroling.

Children are merry.

Everyone has that holiday spirit.

The wonderful dome shines in the colors of green and red,

This season ending is what most people dread.

Although people know that it is that time of year,

People fear that after 25 days, the end is near.

Christmas time, and the happy celebrations,

From the street lights to street corners,

Everyone’s in their best mood.

The party has only just begun,

Yet it will fly by without a second glance.

Still people’s grins are shining from ear to ear,

Oh why must the end NOLA Christmas be so near.

Anna Marie, age 16

Anonymous - Winter in NOLA

New Orleans is indescribable, Christmas Time is unimaginable. Think of the happiest time of your life, now picture it 10x better- this is the feeling that a New Orleanean gets around this time of year. The weather is perfect, the people are so jolly, and the city is so bright- what else could be better? Nothing. Everything is perfect and we need to be thankful for this at this time.

Anonymous, age 16