Transcript Christmas Customs - Texas A&M University

Christmas Traditions
Christmas Customs
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TEKS
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2) History. The student
understands the origins of customs,
holidays, and celebrations. The
student is expected to:
(A) describe the origins of selected
customs, holidays, and celebrations
of the community, state, and
nation such as Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, Independence Day,
and Veterans' Day
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Objective
The students will learn the
differences in the way different
cultures celebrate Christmas.
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How Different Countries Celebrate
 Decorations
 Customs
 Magical
Symbols
 Length of Celebration
 Gifts
“Merry Christmas”
Christmas
Traditions
Decorations
Many countries celebrate Christmas by decorating different
kinds of trees.
Some countries decorate letters to Santa
Some countries lavishly decorate their homes with lights.
Decorate a
Christmas
Tree
Customs
Decorating trees
Letters to Santa Claus
Playing Games
Advent Calendar
Making Gingerbread houses
Giving Gifts
Lighting the Menora Good Deeds
Calendar
Naughty
or Nice
Letter to
Santa
Santas From Around the World
The person flying the sleigh bringing presents is commonly
knows as Santa Claus to most of us.
The students will go to the attached link and find 3
different names for Santa Claus from 3 different
countries.
Pictures of Santa
Santa Quiz
Santas from
around the world
Santa Question and
Answer Session
Three Most Commonly Celebrated Holidays
in December
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 by Christians
Kwanzaa is celebrated the 25th of Kislev by AfricanAmericans (African-Americans also celebrate Christmas)
Hanukkah is celebrated from December 26th –January 1st or
for 8 days by Jews
Christmas
Kwanzaa
Hanukkah
Gifts
In many Asian countries children received gifts from Santa
even though there Christmas is not generally celebrated.
Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on Dec. 6th in Eastern
Europe. Children put a boot by the window on Dec. 5th
and it is filled with treats by Saint Nicholas. Naughty
children get coal and onions.
In the United States children go to bed early on Dec. 24 th in
hopes of receiving gifts on Christmas morning.
Color a Gift
Gifts
The Dutch “Sintirklass” arrives by boat on Dec. 6th.
Children leave a wooden shoe filled with hay and carrots
for the donkey which carries St. Nicholas’ pack of toys.
In Italy “La Befana” is a good witch who dresses all in
black. Children leave their shoes by the fireplace on the
eve of Jan.6th. Befana comes down the chimney on her
broomstick to leave gifts.
In Germany families go to church on Christmas Eve. While
they are at church the “Christkind” or Christ Child brings
presents to their home.
Activities/Assessments
Use a Venn diagram to compare two or more of the
different countries’ customs.
Have students write about what they would see and do if
they celebrated Christmas in another country.
Have students create and illustrate a new “Santa Claus”
Have students create their own Christmas Tree
Resources
www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/index.html#december (Games)
www.the-north-pole.com (Christmas songs)
www.yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/news/brainpop/movie?id=winter
holidays (Games)
www.ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa/ (Santas from
around the world)
www.holidays.net/Christmas/voices.htm (Merry Christmas in different
languages)