Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas Traditions Around the World

As the festive season approaches, our preschoolers are buzzing with excitement and curiosity about Christmas traditions. What better way to embrace the spirit of the season than by taking a magical journey around the world to explore the diverse and enchanting ways different cultures celebrate Christmas?

Learn About Christmas Traditions from Around the World 

The holiday season is a wonderful time to introduce children to the rich and diverse traditions celebrated around the globe. Our Christmas Traditions Around the World set is the perfect way to bring the magic of Christmas from different countries into your preschool classroom. This set includes activities, recipes, and craft ideas that will help your students learn about the unique ways Christmas is celebrated in various cultures.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can use our Christmas Traditions Around the World Set to explore the Christmas traditions from Australia, England, Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Italy, and Germany, and provide fun craft ideas and delicious recipes you can share with your students to bring these traditions to life!

The Perfect Resource for Your Christmas Around the World Lessons

Through this resource, young learners will gain a greater appreciation for both the similarities and differences in how Christmas is celebrated across the world.This resource is perfect for creating meaningful discussions and exploring the global diversity of holiday traditions. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your classroom:

Our Christmas Traditions Around the World Set is designed to be an interactive and educational experience that will engage your preschoolers while fostering curiosity and global awareness. This set is more than just a tool for learning about Christmas – it’s an opportunity to expand children’s perspectives, deepen their understanding of different cultures, and celebrate the common values that unite us all.

1. Schedule a New Card Each Day or Week: Create a consistent schedule to “receive” a Christmas card from a different country (e.g., twice a week or every day for 9 days). Each new card will take your students on an exciting cultural adventure.
2. Introduce the Concept of Receiving Cards from Around the World: Begin by explaining that you’ll be receiving Christmas cards from friends all over the world, sparking curiosity and excitement about different cultures and places.
3. Explore the Map: Before reading the card, use a globe or world map to locate the country it’s from. Point to both your home country and the country on the card, then draw an imaginary line to show how far the card has traveled. This adds a geographical dimension to the learning process.
4. Read and Discuss the Letter: After showing where the card came from, read the accompanying letter aloud. Discuss the images, symbols, and traditions highlighted in the card. Encourage children to compare these with their own holiday traditions and ask questions like: "What’s the same or different about how we celebrate Christmas?" and "Do you know anyone from this country?"
5. Mark the Country on a Classroom Map: After each reading, let your students mark the location of the country on a large classroom map with a sticker or marker. This reinforces the concept of international connections and helps children visualize the journey the card has made.
6. Encourage Parent Involvement: Invite families to bring in Christmas cards from different countries or cities within your own country. This will extend the global exploration and make the learning experience even more interactive.
   

Classroom Implementation Ideas:

Explore Christmas Traditions from Different Countries:

Australia: Christmas at the Beach

In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer season, so it’s common for families to go to the beach for celebrations. Lobster is a popular dish, and Christmas carols are sung at outdoor concerts. Australians also enjoy the iconic dessert Pavlova, a meringue-based dessert topped with fresh fruit.
Activities & Resources

Learn more about Christmas in Australia from Why Christmas
Listen to the song "Six White Boomers" Australian Christmas Song on Youtube
Make a pavlova for kids on Youtube
Listen to Hume City Council Carols by Candlelight on Youtube

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England: A Royal Christmas

In England, Christmas traditions include watching the Royal Christmas Message, enjoying a rich Plum Pudding, and pulling Christmas Crackers. Children also love writing a letter to Father Christmas, which is an English tradition.

Activities & Resources
Watch a cartoon "Nanny's Plum Pudding" on YouTube
Write a Letter to Father Christmas
Make your own "Christmas Cracker Craft" YouTube Tutorial
Listen the to "Christmas Cracker" song on YouTube

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Mexico: Farolitos and Piñatas

In Mexico, Christmas celebrations include lighting Farolitos (small paper lanterns), breaking open a Piñata, and enjoying festive foods like Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread eaten during the Epiphany.

Activities & Resources
Rosca de Reyes Recipe
Make your own Farolitos Craft (paper bag lantern) Tutorial from Spanglish Baby
Learn the story of the Poinsettia with a read-aloud Tommy dePaola on Youtube (Religious)
Make your own Piñata
Christmas in Mexico from WhyChristmas
Sponge Painted Poinsettia Craft from a Little Pinch of Perfect

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Brazil: Christmas Lights and Amigo Secreto

In Brazil, Christmas is a lively celebration with lots of lights, Amigo Secreto (Secret Santa), and delicious Pavé, a layered dessert similar to tiramisu.

Activities & Resources:
Try making Pavé with this recipe from sugar 'n spice gals
Craft personalized gift bags for Amigo Secreto

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Netherlands: Sinterklaas and Kerstkransjes

In the Netherlands, children celebrate Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas, by leaving carrots for his horse. They also enjoy Kerstkransjes, a type of Christmas cookie shaped like a wreath.

Activites & Resources
Make Kerstkransjes (cookies)
Craft Paper Shoes & Carrots for Sinterklaas
Listen to a song about Sinterklaas on YouTube

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Sweden: St. Lucia’s Day

In Sweden, Christmas begins with St. Lucia’s Day, a celebration of light during the darkest time of the year. Swedes enjoy meatballs and celebrate Tomten, a Christmas gnome who brings gifts. Preschoolers will love discovering the story of Santa Lucia, the bringer of light, as families gather to share saffron buns and gingerbread cookies, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The Christmas Card from Sweden is included in our Christmas Traditions Around the World pack

Activities & Resources:
Make a Lucia Crown Craft
Learn more about Christmas in Sweden from Why Christmas
Make a Woven Paper Christmas Heart Craft from Starts at Eight
Listen to a Read Aloud of Hannah's Christmas on Youtube

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France: Buche De Noel and Bonfires

In France, a popular Christmas tradition is the Buche De Noel (Yule Log), a delicious dessert shaped like a log. French families also gather around a bonfire to celebrate the season.

Activities to try:
Make your own Buche De Noel with this recipe from Life as Mom or try a Swiss Cake Roll
Listen to some of your favorite Christmas Carols in French

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​La Befana in Italy – A Magical Epiphany

In Italy, Christmas doesn't end on December 25th. Preschoolers will be enchanted by the tale of La Befana, a kind old witch who delivers gifts to children on the night of Epiphany, January 6th. Discover how Italian families celebrate this extended season with festive parades and delicious treats. Italians also enjoy eating Panettone, a rich fruitcake, during Christmas celebrations.

Activities and Resources:
Try a slice of Panettone or make your own using this Recipe found on YouTube
Christmas in Italy from Why Christmas
Make pasta ornaments from the Best Ideas for Kids
Make Befana's Broom from Almost Homeschoolers

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Germany: Christkind and Gingerbread

Germany is famous for its Christkind (the Christmas angel who brings gifts) and its delicious gingerbread cookies. Children also enjoy hanging their shoes out for gifts.

Activities & Resources
Bake your own Gingerbread Men
Gingerbread Craft: Create a gingerbread man craft where children can decorate their own gingerbread cookies using buttons, stickers, and felt pieces.
Play Gingerbread Activities or read your favorite Gingerbread inspired books.

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Christmas is a time for joy, love, and togetherness, celebrated in various ways around the world. Through this magical journey, our preschoolers have had a glimpse into the richness of cultural traditions, understanding that the spirit of the season is truly universal. As we embrace the festive spirit, let's encourage our little ones to appreciate the diversity that makes our world so wonderfully unique.
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What are your favorite Christmas traditions from around the world? Share your experiences and festive activities with your preschoolers in the comments below. Wishing you and your little ones a season filled with joy, laughter, and cultural exploration!

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