Holiday Traditions Fact Cards

Card 1: Diwali

Celebration: Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.

Where: Mainly celebrated in India, but also by Hindus worldwide.

When: Typically in October or November, lasting five days.

Key Traditions:

• Diyas and Lights: Homes are decorated with small clay lamps (diyas) and colorful lights to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
• Rangoli: Intricate patterns made with colored rice, sand, or flower petals are created at entrances to welcome guests and good luck.
• Sweets and Feasts: Families share special sweets and elaborate meals.
• Fireworks: Firecrackers are set off to celebrate and ward off evil spirits.
• New Beginnings: It's a time for spring cleaning, new clothes, and honoring Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Card 2: Christmas

Celebration: Christmas, a Christian holiday.

Where: Celebrated globally by Christians and many non-Christians.

When: December 25th (some observe on January 7th).

Key Traditions:

• Decorations: Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, and ornaments adorn homes and public spaces.
• Gift-Giving: Exchanging presents with family and friends, often associated with Santa Claus or Father Christmas.
• Feasts: Special meals, often including roast turkey, ham, or other traditional dishes.
• Carols: Singing festive songs that tell stories of Christmas or celebrate the season.
• Religious Services: Attending church services to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Card 3: Hanukkah

Celebration: Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Where: Celebrated by Jewish communities worldwide.

When: Eight days, usually in late November or December.

Key Traditions:

• Menorah Lighting: A nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah is lit, one candle each night for eight nights, to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days.
• Dreidel Game: Playing with a four-sided spinning top called a dreidel, often for gelt (chocolate coins).
• Oil-Fried Foods: Eating foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts), to remember the oil miracle.
• Gift-Giving: Children often receive small gifts or gelt each night of Hanukkah.
• Songs and Prayers: Special blessings and songs are recited during the lighting of the menorah.

Card 4: Kwanzaa

Celebration: Kwanzaa, an African-American and Pan-African holiday.

Where: Celebrated by African communities and descendants throughout the world.

When: December 26th to January 1st.

Key Traditions:

• Kinara: A seven-branched candleholder called a Kinara is lit, one candle each day, representing the seven principles (Nguzo Saba).
• Nguzo Saba: Discussions about the seven principles: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
• Kwanzaa Karamu: A large feast is held on December 31st.
• Zawadi: Handmade or cultural gifts are exchanged, often encouraging learning and creativity.
• Mkeka: A mat on which other Kwanzaa symbols are placed, representing African tradition.

Card 5: Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)

Celebration: Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.

Where: Celebrated in China and by East Asian and Southeast Asian communities worldwide.

When: Varies each year, usually in late January or February, based on the lunar calendar.

Key Traditions:

• Family Reunions: Large family gatherings and reunion dinners are central to the celebration.
• Red Envelopes (Hongbao): Red envelopes containing money are given, especially to children, as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
• Decorations: Homes are decorated with red and gold ornaments, lanterns, and couplets with lucky phrases.
• Dragon and Lion Dances: Public performances feature colorful dragon and lion dances to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
• Firecrackers: Fireworks are set off to scare away evil and welcome the new year.

Card 6: Las Posadas

Celebration: Las Posadas, a religious festival.

Where: Primarily celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican-American communities, and other parts of Latin America.

When: December 16th to December 24th.

Key Traditions:

• Processions: Participants reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging (posada) in Bethlehem, often going house-to-house singing carols.
• Piñatas: Children break star-shaped piñatas, filled with candy and toys, representing the triumph of good over evil.
• Candles and Singing: People carry candles and sing traditional songs during the processions.
• Feasting: Gatherings often include tamales, buñuelos (fried dough fritters), and other traditional foods.
• Community: It's a strong community event that brings people together for prayer, singing, and celebration.

Card 7: Yule

Celebration: Yule, an ancient winter solstice festival.

Where: Roots in Germanic pagan traditions, celebrated by various modern pagan and Heathen groups worldwide.

When: Around December 21st (the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year).

Key Traditions:

• Yule Log: A large log is ceremonially brought into the home and burned, often over several days, to symbolize the return of the sun and to invite good fortune.
• Evergreen Decor: Decorating with evergreens like holly, ivy, and mistletoe, which symbolize life and continuity during winter.
• Feasting and Merriment: A time for lavish feasts, drinking, and social gatherings.
• Gift Exchange: Small, symbolic gifts are exchanged, often representing wishes for health and prosperity.
• Reflection and Renewal: A period of reflection on the past year and setting intentions for the new solar cycle.

Cultural Celebration Matching Game

Objective: Match each winter celebration with its key traditions and associated culture/region.

Instructions:

1. Cut out all the cards below along the dotted lines.
2. Mix up all the cards.
3. Work individually or in small groups to match each Celebration Name card with its correct Key Traditions card and Culture/Region card.
4. When you think you have all the matches, raise your hand for the teacher to check!

Game Cards (Cut along the dotted lines)

Celebration Name Cards

• Diwali

• Christmas

• Hanukkah

• Kwanzaa

• Chinese New Year

• Las Posadas

• Yule

Key Traditions Cards

• Lighting diyas, making rangoli, fireworks, feasts, celebrating light over darkness.

• Decorating trees, exchanging gifts, singing carols, feasts, celebrating the birth of Jesus.

• Lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, eating latkes, gift-giving, remembering the oil miracle.

• Lighting the Kinara, discussing 7 principles, feasting (Karamu), exchanging handmade gifts, celebrating African heritage.

• Family reunions, red envelopes (hongbao), dragon dances, fireworks, decorating with red and gold, based on lunar calendar.

• Processions reenacting Mary & Joseph, breaking piñatas, singing carols, community feasts.

• Burning a Yule log, decorating with evergreens, feasting, celebrating the winter solstice and rebirth of the sun.

Culture/Region Cards

• Hindu / India & Worldwide

• Christian / Worldwide

• Jewish / Worldwide

• African-American / Pan-African

• East Asia / China & Worldwide

• Mexico / Latin America

• Pagan/Norse Traditions / Worldwide

Our Favorite Traditions Share

Objective: To reflect on diverse winter celebrations and share personal or interesting traditions, fostering appreciation and respect for cultural diversity.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Out of all the celebrations we learned about today (Diwali, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Las Posadas, Yule), which one did you find the most interesting and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one new thing you learned about a winter celebration that you didn't know before?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Do you or your family celebrate any special winter traditions? If so, what are they? (These don't have to be formal holidays; they can be anything special you do!)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Why do you think it's important to learn about how different people celebrate?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How can we show respect for traditions that are different from our own?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Guidelines for Discussion:

• Listen carefully to your classmates.
• Share your ideas and thoughts respectfully.
• Everyone's traditions and perspectives are valuable.
• Feel free to ask questions to understand more.