Explore how different countries celebrate Christmas and uncover Christmas traditions from around the globe with these fun festive activities, games and presentations for KS1 and KS2
Christmas comes but once a year, and for many children in the UK, it often brings high expectations - whether it’s a visit to Father Christmas (or his American cousin, Santa Claus, as he’s more commonly known these days) at a decked-out garden centre or an even pricier, more exotic experience (Lapland UK, anyone?). Alongside a buffet of presents to unwrap on Christmas Day - carefully delivered by Santa via the chimney on Christmas Eve - comes a lavish Christmas feast of roast turkey and all the trimmings. Not forgetting the more recent favourite children’s traditions in the build-up to the big day: opening chocolate or toy advent calendars each day, discovering what mischief the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ has been up to overnight, and tuning into Christmas radio channels until they’re exhausted.
Of course, many traditional elements remain central to UK celebrations. Carol services at churches and hospitals, and school nativity plays featuring tinsel-adorned angels, itchy innkeepers and shouty shepherds following that star so bright also play their part. Even the smallest children begin to understand that Christmas is a time for giving gifts and goodwill (and cards and food) as much as it is about receiving them.
But do your pupils know that the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in their homes - seen everywhere from supermarkets to TV adverts - was popularised in England during the Victorian era by Prince Albert, who brought it from his home country of Germany? Or that in Ukraine, where Christmas trees are also popular, spiderwebs rather than baubles are a traditional ornament?
And although Christmas without Santa may seem unimaginable to many pupils, they might enjoy learning about Papa Noël in France, the Christmas witch Befana in Italy and the mischievous Yule Lads in Iceland. It may even surprise them to know that 25 December isn't even considered to be the 'big day' for many of our closest European neighbours.
In Spain and some other Latin countries worldwide, Epiphany - or Three Kings' Day as it is sometimes known - is a festival celebrated on 6 January. It marks the day when the Three Wise Men visited the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Meanwhile, Christmas Eve is considered to be the main day of celebration in countries such as Germany, Austria, Poland and across Scandinavia where traditions including Midnight Mass, gift exchanges, feasts and fireworks occur as part of the celebrations.
Christmas, as we know, is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. While pupils will love revisiting the beloved Bible story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to an overcrowded Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth in a humble stable, some curious kids may wonder: Is Christmas the same all around the world? It may surprise them to learn about festive traditions in non-Christian cultures. For example, in Japan, it’s popular to eat fried chicken on Christmas Day and enjoy dazzling city lights. In India - despite a small Christian population - Christmas is widely celebrated with parties and gift exchanges.
With so much fascinating information about the season for young learners to absorb, we’ve made things simpler by gathering a range of engaging primary resources. Designed to help you explore Christmas celebrations and traditions from around the globe with your pupils - from challenging escape rooms and research tasks to Christmas crafts, assemblies, presentations and creative writing activities - there's plenty to tuck into.
Fancy delving deeper into the history of Christmas with your primary pupils? Discover more resources here. Don't limit the learning to KS1 and KS2, explore the Christmas story and traditions of the season in EYFS with this fabulous festive selection of resources here.
