BY MELISSA GLENN, CERTIFIED EDUCATOR AND READING SPECIALIST
Inside: Discover engaging activities for multicultural holidays to celebrate diversity and create an inclusive classroom environment during the winter season. Explore multicultural winter holidays and learn how to incorporate them into your K-2 curriculum.
I animated my voice into an exaggerated struggle as I read the book “Santa’s Stuck” aloud to my engrossed first graders. The story told of Santa becoming wedged in a chimney on Christmas Eve, his bright red suit and plump belly comedically stuck in the flue.
“Okay, now it’s your turn!” I announced after the last page. “How would you get Santa free from that tight chimney? Draw out your idea on these chimney scenes.”
Eager hands shot up to grab the sheets of paper I held out. As students settled in to illustrate their Santa rescue plans, I circulated the room, admiring their creative solutions. Some showed ropes and pulleys; others had Santa going on a diet.
Then I paused at Rafael’s* paper – instead of a Santa scene, he had simply drawn a fireplace with beautiful poinsettia plants along the mantle. No Santa anywhere.
“No Santa?” I asked gently.
Rafael shook his head. “My family is from Mexico. We don’t really do that Santa thing.”
A knot formed in my stomach. By centering this activity around a Christian cultural icon like Santa Claus, I inadvertently made assumptions and excluded students like Rafael from the start of our “holiday” lessons.
I mean, of course some families didn’t have Santa traditions!
At that moment, I realized that despite my best intentions, I was missing an enormous opportunity for broader cultural exposure and true inclusion across our diverse classroom community. If students didn’t see their traditions and backgrounds reflected, how could they feel fully embraced and engaged?
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Embrace Inclusion with Activities for Multicultural Holidays
Holidays in the classroom can be tricky these days.
We want to create an inclusive environment while also enjoying the fun of holidays with our students.
I don’t think the answer is to do less—instead, let’s do more by learning about more holidays.
Celebrating holidays is a big part of culture. With so many different cultures in our country, it would be a huge mistake not to explore them!
We create an inclusive classroom environment where children feel seen and valued when we highlight different cultural traditions. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to broaden their understanding of the world.
Why Multicultural Winter Holidays Belong in Your K-2 Classroom
Broadening Perspectives
Kids naturally have a curiosity about the world. When we introduce them to multicultural holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Omisoka, we tap into that curiosity and show them that there’s more than one way to celebrate. This exposure not only broadens their understanding but also helps them appreciate different cultures.
Fostering Inclusion
In diverse districts, it’s especially important to make sure every student feels recognized. Celebrating various multicultural holidays ensures that all backgrounds are represented and respected, creating a supportive classroom community where every child can thrive.
Even in more homogenous classrooms, teaching about different cultures broadens students’ horizons. It’s a simple yet powerful way to prepare them for a world filled with diverse people and traditions. Doing this, you’re helping to build empathy, understanding, and respect for others, which are essential skills for their future.
Educational Benefits
Learning about multicultural holidays isn’t just about fun activities—it’s a valuable educational opportunity. These lessons tie into curriculum goals across subjects like geography, history, and social studies. Moreover, they enhance social-emotional learning by fostering empathy and respect for others. By engaging in these activities, students can broaden their perspectives and develop essential skills for their future.
Discover a World of Multicultural Holidays to Explore with Your Students
This list is just a starting point. To truly make your holiday lessons meaningful, engage with your students and their families about the holidays they celebrate. By incorporating these multicultural holidays, you’re not just teaching, you’re also showing respect for their traditions and backgrounds.
Learning about these holidays can be as simple as including picture books about them in your reading block or book nook area. You could also engage in guided research, invite a guest speaker to talk about the holiday, make a special craft, or do an activity related to the celebration.
Engage Your Class with These Activities for Multicultural Holidays
Hanukkah
Origin and Date: Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated for eight days starting on the 25th of Kislev, typically in December.
Activity: Craft a menorah using construction paper. This hands-on activity helps students learn about the tradition of lighting candles, which symbolizes perseverance and the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Discuss Hanukkah’s historical and cultural significance, focusing on its themes of dedication and resilience.
Kwanzaa
Origin and Date: Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrating family, community, and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1.
Activity: Weave a Mkeka mat from strips of colored paper. This simple craft helps students understand the role of the Mkeka in Kwanzaa celebrations as a symbol of tradition and community. Discuss the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) and how they promote unity and cultural pride.
Saint Lucia Day
Origin and Date: Celebrated on December 13, Saint Lucia Day is a Swedish festival of lights in honor of Saint Lucia, known for bringing light during the darkest time of the year.
Activity: Make paper crowns decorated with stars and lights. These crowns symbolize the return of longer daylight hours and bring a bit of the luminous celebration into your classroom. Discuss the historical and cultural significance of Saint Lucia Day, focusing on its themes of light and hope.
Winter Solstice
Origin and Date: The Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day of the year, is celebrated worldwide around December 21.
Activity: Create a sun catcher to welcome back the sun. This activity emphasizes the solstice as a turning point in the year, encouraging students to celebrate the light and warmth that follow. Discuss the significance of the Winter Solstice in different cultures and how it represents renewal and the promise of longer days ahead.
Fiesta de Guadalupe
Origin and Date: This Mexican celebration on December 12 honors the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a significant cultural event marked by vibrant decorations and community festivities.
Activity: Design vibrant banners or papel picado, typical decorations for festive occasions in Mexican culture. This creative activity brings the colorful spirit of the Fiesta de Guadalupe into your classroom and provides an opportunity to learn about important cultural traditions. Discuss Our Lady of Guadalupe’s historical and cultural significance in Mexico, focusing on how the celebration unites communities and showcases Mexican heritage.
Boxing Day
Origin and Date: Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26 in many Commonwealth countries, traditionally involves acts of charity and giving to those in need.
Activity: Organize a giving-back activity, such as creating thank-you cards for community helpers. This activity emphasizes the holiday spirit of charity and teaches students about the importance of kindness and community service. Discuss the historical and cultural significance of Boxing Day, focusing on its origins and how it promotes generosity and gratitude.
Omisoka
Origin and Date: Omisoka is a Japanese celebration on December 31, focusing on welcoming the New Year with a fresh start.
Activity: Craft end-of-year timelines, summarizing personal or historical milestones. This activity reflects Omisoka traditions of reflection and preparation, helping students understand the value of looking back before moving forward. Discuss the cultural significance of Omisoka, including traditional practices like house cleaning and eating symbolic foods to ensure a prosperous new year.
Las Posadas
Origin and Date: This Mexican tradition, celebrated from December 16-24, reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. It is a community event with processions, songs, and festive activities.
Activity: Make lanterns or star ornaments. This craft connects students to the cultural practice while adding a festive touch to the classroom. Discuss the historical and cultural significance of Las Posadas in Mexican culture, focusing on how it brings communities together and celebrates the spirit of hospitality and community.
Bodhi Day
Origin and Date: Bodhi Day, observed on December 8, commemorates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. It is a significant day in Buddhist traditions, celebrating the attainment of profound wisdom and understanding.
Activity: Create a tree of life drawing and discuss enlightenment as a universal concept of inner wisdom and peace. This activity encourages students to reflect on their own moments of understanding and growth. Discuss the historical and cultural significance of Bodhi Day, focusing on how it inspires people to seek knowledge and inner peace.
Christmas
Origin and Date: Christmas, celebrated on December 25, marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a widely observed holiday with various cultural traditions and festivities.
Activity: Craft holiday wreaths from paper and ribbons. Focus on the theme of bringing warmth and color into the winter season, making this a festive and inclusive activity for all students. Discuss Christmas’s historical and cultural significance, exploring how different cultures celebrate the holiday and the various traditions that bring communities together.
Practical Tips for Incorporating Multicultural All-Inclusive December Holidays
- Start Early: Plan your multicultural holiday lessons well in advance to ensure you have all the necessary materials and time to explore each tradition fully.
- Inclusive Discussions: Encourage students to share their own holiday traditions, making the learning experience personal and inclusive.
- Integrated Learning: Tie holiday activities into broader curriculum goals, such as geography and history lessons, to enhance the educational value.
Celebrate Diversity this Winter Season
Introducing and celebrating a range of multicultural winter holidays in your classroom can make a significant impact. It promotes inclusivity, broadens perspectives, and seamlessly ties into educational goals. Use these ideas as a springboard to create a meaningful holiday experience for your students.
What are your favorite multicultural holiday activities? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate diversity in your classroom, check out my other blog posts for seasons and holidays and my resources for having students research and write about influential individuals for heritage and history months.
