🌍 Celebrating Christmas and Winter Holidays Around the World: Why Children Should Learn About Global Traditions.

The holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness. But beyond the lights, gifts, and familiar traditions, there’s a whole world of celebrations happening across continents. Exposing children to how other people celebrate Christmas and winter holidays around the globe is more than just fun—it’s an essential way to foster knowledge, empathy, mutual respect, and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.

🎄 Why Global Holiday Learning Matters

Knowledge: Children expand their awareness of geography, history, and culture by learning about diverse traditions.

Empathy: Understanding how others celebrate helps kids appreciate different values and experiences.

Mutual Respect: Recognizing that no single way of celebrating is “the right way” builds respect for diversity.

Global Understanding: In a world that is increasingly connected, cultural literacy is a powerful tool for peace and cooperation.

By teaching children about global holiday traditions, we help them grow into compassionate citizens who see beauty in differences and commonality in shared joy.

🌟 Five Activities to Explore Global Holiday Traditions

Holiday World Map Project

Create a large map and mark countries with their unique Christmas or winter holiday traditions.

Children can draw symbols (like lanterns, stars, or food) to represent each tradition.

International Holiday Storytime

Read short stories or watch videos about how children in different countries celebrate.

Encourage kids to retell the stories in their own words.

Global Holiday Feast

Cook or sample foods from different cultures’ holiday tables.

For example, Panettone from Italy, Tamales from Mexico, or Bibingka from the Philippines.

Crafts from Around the World

Make lanterns (Asia), paper stars (Europe), or bead ornaments (Africa).

Each craft can be paired with a short explanation of its cultural meaning.

Holiday Pen Pals or Virtual Exchange

Connect with classrooms abroad to share holiday cards or videos.

Children can ask questions and learn directly from peers in other countries.

🎁 Christmas & Winter Holiday Activities by Continent

Here are examples of unique traditions from each continent to inspire your activities:

Africa: In Ethiopia, Christmas (Genna) is celebrated on January 7 with church services and traditional games like genna, similar to hockey.

Asia: In the Philippines, the Simbang Gabi tradition involves nine dawn masses leading up to Christmas, followed by festive food like bibingka.

Europe: In Germany, children celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6 by leaving shoes out to be filled with treats.

North America: In Mexico, Las Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, with processions, songs, and piñatas.

South America: In Colombia, Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) kicks off the season with candles and lanterns lighting up streets and homes.

Australia/Oceania: In Australia, Christmas often means beach barbecues and Carols by Candlelight events under the summer sky.

Antarctica: While not a native tradition, researchers and scientists celebrate with shared meals and decorations, emphasizing community in isolation.

🌍 Final Thoughts

By weaving these traditions into children’s holiday experiences, we give them the gift of perspective. They learn that while customs may differ—candles, lanterns, feasts, or songs—the heart of the season is universal: joy, togetherness, and hope.

Encouraging children to explore global celebrations helps them grow into empathetic, respectful individuals who see the world not as divided by borders, but united by shared humanity.