Christmas Around the World

Christmas is almost here and it's all my students can think about! Each day, during this last week before the Holiday Break, we are spending some time talking about how different countries celebrate Christmas. This post has a link to my free 'Christmas Around the World' booklet. I've also included some extra ideas on here for some added fun! 

(Click on the picture for a free booklet)

*The United States* 

We're starting in the good old USA. How adorable is this ugly sweater cookie cutter from Michaels?! I rolled out and baked a box of sugar cookies and we used some holiday sprinkles to decorate some ugly, but delicious, sweaters. 

Then we made and decorated a Christmas tree. I found this adorable craft on Pinterest from a website called Krokotak.

(Click on the picture to follow the link)

*Mexico*
The next country on our list was Mexico. 

 We started by reading The Legend of the Poinsettia. (You can click on the pic to take you directly to Amazon)

Then we made these beautiful poinsettia's...

*France*
After Mexico, we moved onto France! In France, they have this really cute tradition where the kids leave their shoes by the fireplace and Santa fills them with little treats. So, while my students and I are completing our booklet page, we leave our shoes in the hallway, and one of my awesome teaching partners fills them with little candies and trinkets I bought at the Dollar Store.


Here is an optional craft from the Website Preschool Crafts for Kids 



*Italy*
When you teach your students about the traditions in Italy, you have to read Old Befana! My students LOVE this book every year!


And here is a super cute La Befana craft to do after reading the book:


*Sweden*
In Sweden, rice porridge is very poplar. One idea would be to make some oatmeal in your crockpot and have kids add toppings to it (I would ask for donations for the toppings - raisins, nuts, cinnamon...)

And get this! Apparently, it's tradition that families watch a Donald Duck Christmas special on TV! Who doesn't like to pop in a movie in the last few days before break!?

Don't believe me? Donald Duck on Christmas Eve


*Germany*
I like to start this lesson with having students write letter to Christkind (a female angel). In Germany, kids leave letter to Christkind on their windowsill and he write back to them. I just write a generic letter back to my students as a whole. 

We then make crowns and join the rest of the school in the singing of Christmas carols. If your school doesn't get together to sing during the last 30 minutes before break (such a nice way to send them off!), then you could carol through the school, through the neighborhood, or just in the classroom.