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This is a short two minute clip in which students will watch to see many of their own traditions. Some of these traditions include, decorating the Christmas [conifer] tree with lights and ornaments that have often times been passed down through the family, going door to door spreading Christmas cheer by way of caroling, gathering together with family for a Christmas dinner with the traditional spread and the exchanging of gifts...and lets not forget our school break!

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During the holiday season, candy canes  be seen almost everywhere. People hang them from their Christmas tree, leave them as a gift in a stocking, and even place large plastic ones in their yards. Candy canes are also a sweet treat that many people enjoy wether you like to put them in your hot chocolate or eat them right from the box! Candy brands have also began to make a wide variety of flavors that often times make them more enjoyable, some are sour and others taste like watermelon, green apple, strawberry or spearmint. However, there is a legend behind the traditional red and white peppermint flavored candy cane.

Many Christians believe it to go as follows:

"Look at the candy cane what do you see. Stripes that are red like the blood shed for me. White for my Savior who is sinless and pure. J is for Jesus - that is for sure. Turn it around and a staff you'll see!"

https://happyhomefairy.com/the-legend-of-the-candy-cane-free-printable/

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merry christmas in spanish - Google Search

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Meals Served and Interesting Christmas Facts in Mexico

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Meals Served and Interesting Christmas Facts in Mexico

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When students click on this link they will be given a short passage the describes all kinds of traditional Christmas food that one could be found munching on during the holiday season. They will also learn about the legend of the poinsettia, Christmas piñatas, La Noche Buena, Día De Reyes, and Posadas!

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Coming home to Mexico today on Day 30 of our 31-Day (plus some) tour of Christmas Around the World! If you missed the others, you can find them here.

Wіth Christmas coming up fast, Mexico is gearing up for the holidays. This weekend, the non-Christians will be celebrating Day of the Dead, but once that is over the Christmas season will officially begin, and already the stores are inundated with red and green!

Mexican Christmas traditions аrе very special аnd unique. The majority оf people іn Mexico аrе Roman Catholics (at least by tradition) аnd Christmas іѕ thеrеfоrе а religious holiday whеrе thе birth оf Christ іѕ celebrated іn various ways.

Mexican history оf Christmas саn bе traced bасk tо 1517, whеrе wе find thе first Catholic religious service in the history of this land taking place near what is now the city of San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche (That's right, our town!) Thе modern day Christmas celebrations begin оn December 12 аnd thе celebrations go оn tіll Día de los Reyes on January 6.

Guadalupe Day

On December 12th, Catholics all over Mexico pay homage to the Virgin Guadalupe. A few churches in Mexico (including one in Campeche pictured below) are dedicated to her, and people will make pilgrimages on foot, or bicycle carrying her image to reach her church on the 12th and offer a special gift in her honor. In Campeche, there are parades through town of buses, bikes, motorcycles and coches (cars) decorated in Christmas Lights and flowers and pictures of the Virgin.

The Legendary Poinsettia

Thеrе іѕ а legend in Mexico that іѕ associated wіth thе tradition оf offering Poinsettias tо thе Lord. Thе legend says that а young boy named Pablo picked branches off а weed growing by thе roadside because hе dіdn't have аnуthіng tо offer tо thе Lord. Upon reaching thе church's altar, hе was made fun of by his friends fоr hіѕ tiny gift, until, аѕ hе laid thоѕе branches down, bright beautiful star-shaped petal-like leaves appeared оn each branch! Today poinsettias are used heavily in Christmas decorating.

Mexican Posadas

Posadas іѕ thе first celebration beginning nine days bеfоrе Christmas. It starts wіth а procession whеrе each participant carries а candle. Thе head оf thе procession carries а candle іn а paper lamp shade, whісh іѕ called little lantern оr а Farolito. Four boys, whо аrе оf thе same height, walk іn thе procession behind him carrying two small statues оf St. Joseph. Thе people іn thе procession аrе divided into two groups; thе innkeepers аnd thе pilgrims. Thе pilgrims go frоm inn tо inn asking fоr а shelter, tіll thеу find thе

Thе people іn thе procession аrе divided into two groups; thе innkeepers аnd thе pilgrims. Thе pilgrims go frоm inn tо inn asking fоr а shelter, tіll thеу find thе Nacimiento (Nativity scene). Thе Nativity scene іѕ set іn а public place аnd each аnd еvеrу Catholic home. Whеn thе pilgrims reach thе manger, а holy prayer іѕ chanted bу еvеrуоnе. Thіѕ celebration is repeated each day until thе 24th, whісh іѕ known аѕ thе Noche Buena оr thе Holy Night.

In some areas Protestants and Christians will not use Nativity Scenes in their Christmas decorating because of the strong association with Catholicism.

In our area of Mexico, groups of Catholic kids and teens will come caroling through the neighborhoods carrying a saint's image. They will sing at your door, or gate until you give them money. We try to be ready with cookies and Gospel tracts instead.

Pastorelas

Pastorelas are anоthеr part оf thе Christmas traditions іn Mexico. They are in essence Christmas plays or reenactments whеrеіn thе shepherds, present theatrical presentations of the Christmas story. Many Christian churches will have these as part of their special Christmas service or celebration.

Piñatas

A piñata, іѕ colorfully decorated, bright, hollow figure usually made of paper mache or pottery decorated in brightly colored paper. Traditionally for Christmas and New Years every family in Mexico will have one in the shape of a 5 pointed star, but for birthday parties it may take the form of a cartoon figure or other object. Thіѕ hollow piñata іѕ filled wіth candies аnd оthеr goodies. Thе children аrе supposed tо break thе piñata, whісh іѕ nоt ѕо simple! Evеrу child gets а chance to be blindfolded and try to break the piñata with a stick until it is broken and all the candy falls out.

La Noche Buena

On Christmas Eve, or the Holy Night, Mexican Catholics traditionally gather fоr midnight mass and Christians for a church service. Afterward, thеrе іѕ usually а grand dinner, wіth friends аnd family, and the fellowship lasting long into the early morning hours. This results in a very quiet Christmas morning as most shops and restaurants are closed all day, and most people will sleep in after being up late the night before. In thе раѕt, Christmas gifts wеrеn't distributed оn thе Christmas eve, but in more recent years you may give and receive gifts either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. There will often be fireworks on Noche Buena, and definitely for New Year's Eve.

Día de Reyes

Thіѕ іѕ thе day whеn children receive gifts frоm thе three kings оr thе Wise Men. January 6 in Mexico, is a bigger commercial event than Christmas. You may or may not get a gift at Christmas, but EVERY child gets one on el Día de los Reyes! And most stores are open all night to ensure that parents and family have the time necessary to buy their kids a toy. In Campeche, they close down one of the streets running the length of the city and hold an all night toy flea market drawing thousands. Tradition says that thе Kings оr thе Magi come at night, just like Santa Claus, and leave gifts for the children to find in the morning. Thіѕ іѕ one оf thе oldest Christmas traditions іn Mexico.

Mexican Christmas Foods

Christmas dinner will vary from area to area across Mexico. Bacalao а la vizcaina іѕ a popular Christmas food in some states. It іѕ very colorful аnd іѕ made оf fresh salted cod, olives, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, capers аnd red bell peppers.

Hot chocolate (sweet and spicy), topped wіth whipped cream аnd peppermint stick candy cane s area good fоr thе colder Christmas nights.

Tamales аrе thе treats given оn Rosca de Reyes. A Tamale іѕ shredded meats, cooked іn sauce аnd wrapped іn cornmeal mush and rolled in corn husks. They are cooked by steam. There are also sweet tamales made of sweet corn meal mush. In southern Mexico, the tamales are wrapped in banana leaves, which gives them a decidedly unique taste.

Rosca de Reyes іѕ а special dish fоr children on Kings Day. Thіѕ іѕ nothing but sweet bread whісh іѕ stuffed bу many tasty ingredients аnd topped bу а sweet glaze! Kind of like a round loaf of American Cinnamon Rolls. Hidden inside this delicious Rosca, is a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden representing the need to find a safe place where King Herod would not find the young Jesus. Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca. The knife symbolizing the danger in which the Baby Jesus was in. Whoever finds the baby figurine is to be the host, and must invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2, Candelaria or Candle mass day, which is said to the the 40-days celebration after Jesus' birth.

Christmas Outreach

Each year our family does a special evangelistic Christmas outreach of Cinnamon rolls, ornaments, etc. This year we have a goal to reach 2000 Mexican children and their families with the Gospel during the Christmas holidays. Find out how you can help HERE.

Have you ever spent Christmas in Mexico? What was your favorite thing about the experience?
Related Links:
Join our mailing list to get a new post about Christmas Around the World each day in October! Or click the link below to see the other posts in the series. ¡ Feliz Navidad!

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Facts about Christmas and Año Nuevo in Mexico | Paradise Praises

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Coming home to Mexico today on Day 30 of our 31-Day (plus some) tour of Christmas Around the World! If you missed the others, you can find them here. Wіth Christmas coming up fast, Mexico is gearing up for the holidays.

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What Christmas Traditions Are Found in Mexico?

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What Christmas Traditions Are Found in Mexico?

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Grab a partner and check out the traditions that happen during the Christmas season in Mexico! Students will be reminded to use their highlighters to highlight important information as we will have a class discussion after they have finished reading!

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Christmas in Mexico | Worksheet | Education.com

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If you're good in Mexico, the Three Wise Men might come on Christmas Day and leave you candy and money!

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Much like American tradition, children and families in Mexico sing Christmas carols also. In the video below, students can watch a group of children preforming Christmas carols. This video resembles more of a student Christmas play at school as they are standing stationary on the stage rather than going from door to door.

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Oaxaca Mexico kids singing Christmas carols downtown. PT 1  Dec 2017

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Students will stop by the souvenir shop and create their own poinsettia. Students will also be given a copy of the legend of the poinsettia which goes as follows:

"A young boy named Pablo picked branches off a weed growing by the roadside because he didn't have anything to offer the Lord. Upon reaching the church's altar, he was made fun of by his friends for his tiny gift, until, as he laid those branches down, bright beautiful star-shaped petal like leaves appeared on each branch!"

https://paradisepraises.com/christmas-in-mexico/

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Here students will watch a short video that gives them information about Christmas in Germany. The video talks about its popular Christmas markets in the streets of Nuremberg, the decorating of the tree and the visiting of Father Christmas and St. Nicholas!

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

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Topic/Theme:

Culture: How do cultures around the world celebrate Christmas

Standards:

3.C.1 Understand how diverse cultures are visible in local and regional communities.

3.C.1.1

Compare languages, foods and traditions of various groups living in local and regional communities.

3.C.1.2

Exemplify how various groups show artistic expression within the local and regional communities.

3.C.1.3

Use non-fiction texts to explore how cultures borrow and share from each other (foods, languages, rules, traditions and behaviors).

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This is a short video in which will be used as an introductory to get us excited about our upcoming trip around the globe! The video gives a quick glimpse into some of the Christmas traditions that we will learn about through out this unit of study!

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Clubhousenews.com: Around The World- Christmas Traditions Around The Globe

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Suit Case ✔️ Pass Port✔️ Boarding Passes✔️✔️

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Suit Case ✔️ Pass Port✔️ Boarding Passes✔️✔️

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Students will be given a file folder which will double as their suit case for their trip! Students will be responsible for keeping track of their passport and boarding passes throughout the unit as well as any worksheets/journals they have to complete!

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As a class we will read about all there is to know about Christmas in Italy! We will uncover new information about the traditions that Italians take part in during this wonderful holiday season!

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Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks as Italians celebrate from early December, depending on the region, until the day of Epiphany, on the 6th of January. Especially the children look forward to the start of the Christmas season in December when Christmas trees are put up and houses are decorated.

In front of St Peters cathedral in Vatican City (see image above), there is a huge Christmas tree put up and many families buy tickets to get entrance to the festive midnight-mass which is held by the Pope.

There is a festive atmosphere during the whole of December. Christmas markets with various stalls with typical food, Christmas sweets and gifts can be visited in many towns especially in Italy's northern Alto-Adige Region. In the image above you see the Christmas market in Bolzano and the image below shows a popular Christmas market in Rome.

On 6th of December, many families celebrate St Nicholas Day. Children write letters to St Nicholas asking for gifts and they hang up either a sock or put a plate on the table on Nicholas day's eve. Sometimes even a St Nicholas visits the homes of children. Then children sing a Christmas carol or recite a poem.

If the children have been good children throughout the last year, they will get some fruits, nuts and sweets from St Nicholas, the naughty ones get usually also a sweet, but one looking like coal. Find more insights to St Nicholas Day on Staci's website

During the festive season and Christmas in Italy, a nativity scene, a ' presepe ', is usually put up in churches, town squares and often in houses and is for many the most important parts of Christmas decorations. Especially the people of Southern Italy are fond of their nativity scene displays as the image below (taken in Messina/Sicily) shows.

Did you know that the nativity scene display with a crib filled with straw, originally stems from Italy and is now common in many countries around the world. It is said that the crib scene was first used, when San Francis held his Christmas mass in front of a nativity scene and the people were admiring the beauty of the miracle of Christ's birth in a manger.

In the Abruzzi region, there is a tradition that bagpipers, so called ' zampognari' come into the towns and play their flutes and bagpipes for the people. They symbolize the shepherds who come in search of the new born Jesus baby. Below see two Italians dressed as ' zampognari '. (Image below by Domenico Vitti, settefrati.net)

Christmas in Italy

On Christmas Eve, as in the old Catholic tradition, often no food is eaten during the day as this is a fast day. The festive celebrations start after midnight mass. Nowadays, ' Babbo Natale ', the Father Christmas, brings presents to children on Christmas eve.

But as in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged only on January 6 that is the day of Epiphany. Then ' la befana', an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child.

Children hang up their stockings, so that the befana can bring presents to the good children. The naughty ones get lumps of black sugar sweets. The arrival of ' La befana' is celebrated with traditional Christmas cake, the panettone, a sweet yeast cake, you can see below.

Now we wish you ' Buon Natale', that means Merry Christmas in Italian.

And ' Buona Festa', have a great holiday!
Image Sources for Christmas in Italy: Shutterstock.com Back to Christmas Around the World Return from Christmas in Italy to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage

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Christmas in Italy for Kids | Christmas Traditions & Celebrations

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Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks as Italians celebrate from early December, depending on the region, until the day of Epiphany, on the 6th of January. Especially the children look forward to the start of the Christmas season in December when Christmas trees are put up and houses are decorated.

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Another source that discusses German Christmas traditions. This article can be read with a partner!

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Christmas in Germany | Worksheet | Education.com

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Three full days of Christmas celebration? The holidays season is pretty amazing in Germany!

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Write a postcard to someone back home telling them about your adventure!

1. What is your favorite German Christmas tradition? Why?

2. What is something cool you learned about how Germans celebrate Christmas?

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Guided Lessons are a sequence of interactive digital games, worksheets, and other activities that guide learners through different concepts and skills. They keep track of your progress and help you study smarter, step by step.

Guided Lessons are digital games and exercises that keep track of your progress and help you study smarter, step by step.

This literature lesson guides kids towards a deeper understanding of second grade texts through an exploration of character, setting, and plot. Kids will be challenged to answer the who, what, where, when and why of a story, in addition to determining the story's message. Two versions of the same story will be presented in order for second graders to see story elements in action.

This literature lesson guides kids towards a deeper understanding of second grade texts through an exploration of character, setting, and plot.

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Christmas in Italy | Worksheet | Education.com

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Guided Lessons are a sequence of interactive digital games, worksheets, and other activities that guide learners through different concepts and skills. They keep track of your progress and help you study smarter, step by step. Guided Lessons are digital games and exercises that keep track of your progress and help you study smarter, step by step.

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As we gather around the carpet we will dive into the legend of Old Befana, a kind witch whom brings sweets and gifts to well behaved children and coal to the bad children after Christmas on January 5th. We will discuss the similarities and differences of this tradition in the terms of writing letters/gift wish lists in the weeks leading up to Christmas!

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Write a letter to someone back home telling them about your adventure.

1. What was something cool that you learned about an Italian Christmas?

2. Do we celebrate in any similar ways in America?

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Befana's Broom!

Students will take part in creating Old Befana's broom in which she rides to deliver either sweet treats or coal to the little children of Italy based off of their behavior!

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Spending Christmas in the Land Down Under

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Spending Christmas in the Land Down Under

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Take a look at this short video about some of the traditions that Australians take part of during the Christmas season! Remember, Austrlians celebrate Christmas in the SUMMER!!!!

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The link below tells us about the kinds of foods many Australians eat during their summer Christmas festivities. While many families cook more "old" traditional foods such as turkey, roast, and veggies, many cook more "new" traditional foods such as shrimp, fresh fish, salads and sausage and head out to the beach for a picnic!

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You can find our Christmas Around the World travel itinerary here. If you happen to live in, or have visited any of the countries on our list, I hope you will enhance our journey together by sharing your experiences with us in the comments.

Though it's not cold in Australia in December, many people still write Christmas cards with snow and ice scenes, people ice-skating on frozen lakes and pictures of cute reindeers. Not only would Santa melt from the heat wearing his red winter suit in Australia in December, but his reindeer would die of heat exhaustion in such sweltering heat! No reindeers and sleighs there! Santa would have to use six white boomers (boomers: large kangaroos) and he might even be pulling a surfboard and wearing sunscreen, board shorts, and a baseball cap as he zips through the aussie skies!

As Christmas Day approaches, the temperature continues to rise as does the humidity in the towns by the sea. Australians ultimately know Christmas is here when they start hearing the continuous shrill sounds of cicadas (large winged insects) on hot, cloudless days.

During the weeks leading up to Christmas, singing carols by candlelight is a tradition at many holiday events around towns and cities down under.

Christmas lunch in the great southern land is a different experience. Many still traditionally cook a turkey, or roast, as well as roasted vegetables and gravy in the stifling heat. (We've found we can get around some of the cooking heat in Mexico by using an electric roaster oven.) Some may also have fruitcake and custard. Not everyone has air conditioning in Australia, so a cool breeze while cooking is often at the top of their Christmas wish list.
And what is for Christmas dinner?
1. Prawns (shrimp) hot from the barbecue, (if you're not cooking turkey)
2. Fresh Fish from the market (you'll have to get there early if you want the good ones!)
3. Tossed green Salad, bowl of beetroot with onion, and some asparagus
4. Snags (sausages), or lamb chops lamb cutlets if you can afford it

And after lunch, they may gather up their Beach Towel, togs (bathing suit), thongs (cheap rubber flip flops), sunscreen, cricket bat and ball and prepare to cool off in the ocean or have some fun on the beach.
Boxing Day
The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day, and many get Aussies caught up watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, or the Boxing Day Test Cricket Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which have both become quite a tradition.

Yes, in the Land Down Under, their days are merry and bright, but very rarely are their Christmases white.

Australian Art Projects for Kids can be found in this post by Art Curator for Kids

Recommended Books:

Free related coloring pages:

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When do They Celebrate Christmas in Australia? | Paradise Praises

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You can find our Christmas Around the World travel itinerary here. If you happen to live in, or have visited any of the countries on our list, I hope you will enhance our journey together by sharing your experiences with us in the comments.

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In America, children often sing the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and how he helped Santa to save the night; however, in Australia, the children sing about Joey. In Australia it is much too hot for Reindeer; so, Santa trades them out for 6 kangaroos or boomers. Click on the video below to hear about Joey's Christmas adventure and how Santa saves the night [in this song] by helping Joey find his mama on his Australian run!

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Kwinana Childrens Choir - Six White Boomers

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We will read Christmas in Australia by John Williamson and have a class discussion once we are finished!

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During this time, students will create a surfboard ornament to commemorate their time spent in Australia learning about Christmas! When students have completed their surfboards, they will hang them on our classroom Christmas tree! Students will get to take these home to their parents at the end of the unit!

Merry Christmas and Surfs Up!

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This is a student friendly article in which students can learn about traditional meals and customs in the United States at Christmas.

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Christmas in the United States of America on whychristmas?com

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Find out how Christmas is celebrated in the United States of America.

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Another video that tells of Christmas traditions in the US

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Эдуард Шаймардаов

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Christian or Not, Most Americans Celebrate Christmas

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The story of Christmas is often made into a children's play at churches and told in the homes of many Christian families. Here Helen Dark tells the story of Christmas! We will read this short picture book as a class to not only gain an understanding of why Christmas is celebrated but also why so many families set up nativity scenes in their homes during the Christmas season.

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“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
– A Visit From Saint Nicholas

Hanging Christmas stockings in ones home is a timeless tradition that many children love! Every wonder where the idea of hanging Christmas stockings came from? Below you will find a link that will tell you all about the story behind the Christmas stockings!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vj7Kj26Vx9mcJzsalSYNXINAKjSrHBGr0vY9OVJ8kr4/edit?usp=sharing

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Music is a great way to spread holiday cheer! America has many traditional Christmas songs such as Silent Night and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. But they also have songs that are a bit faster and more fun to sing while setting up for Christmas such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Turn this playlist up as we drink hot chocolate and decorate our classroom Christmas tree with the ornaments we have collected on our journey to celebrate a successful trip around the world!

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Turn this playlist up as we drink hot chocolate and decorate our classroom Christmas tree with the ornaments we have collected on our journey to celebrate a successful trip around the world!

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As the unit wraps up, students will have collected [made] a souvenir ornament from 6 countries!  Throughout our trip, students will place those ornaments on our classroom "Global Christmas Tree" to celebrate the many different and special ways people celebrate Christmas.

By the end of this unit, students will have learned about 6 countries: Germany, Israel, Italy, Australia, Mexico and America. They will have learned Christmas traditions that are unique to each country and they will be able to recognize how many have been adapted here in America and some they may have even taken part of [hiding the pickle ornament or decorating a tree] themselves.

Students will have learned about the foods that different cultures eat to celebrate Christmas. Students will be able to compare these different meals and see how the pertain to their specific country.

Students will have a greater understanding of life around the world and how when it comes down to it, we really are not all that different! We all celebrate holidays and though we may celebrate in different ways, it is definitely something that is looked forward to and brings much joy to those who are taking part in the celebration.

This is a fun thematic unit plan to help students see the world around them and learn how to appreciate the richness that other cultures bring to our world!

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At the beginning of the unit students will help to set up a classroom Christmas tree with lights. Throughout the course of the unit, students will collect [make] souvenir ornaments to hang on our global Christmas tree!

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What is it like to celebrate Christmas in Israel? Well...we are about to find out as we read through and discuss this article as a class!

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The ESSENTIAL guide to Israel | iGoogledIsrael.com

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Aaah, Christmas in Israel. After spending many a Christmas here in Israel, we've gotten to know exactly what makes the Holy Land tick come Santa time!

You might be forgiven for wondering if the Holy Land actually "ticks" at Christmas, but, if you look hard enough, there's plenty beyond the super obvious trek to Manger Square in Bethlehem (but if you are looking to visit Bethlehem, this is one budget-friendly Christmas Eve tour you won't want to miss).

We highly recommended you check out our Top 10 things to see and do to feel festive in the Holy Land, that should give you a great starting point on what to look out for over Christmas.

In addition, we've collected some of our popular Christmas articles below... they should give you an idea of what, where, and how to celebrate Christmas in Israel!

Christmas in the Holy Land

This is a great introduction to Christmas in the Holy Land, and what you can expect from a wee visit to Israel during the festive season...a must-read for the first-timer to Israel over Christmas! If you're expecting a gloriously festive Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, with tinsel hanging from every shop window, you might want to have a rethink...

Buuuut...if you've had Christmas in Israel on your bucket list for a lifetime, there's still plenty enough to enjoy, and hey, it's way more spiritual and carries a whole lot more meaning celebrating it in the Holy Land rather than back home. Are we right or are we right?

Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

This is the official guide to what's on in Bethlehem over the Christmas period, including the famous Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity. Well worth a visit, just for the Christmas vibe you can get from the others joining you in Manger Square! Of course, the ultimate option is to join this budget-friendly Christmas Eve tour that takes care of all the logistics (you can do it on your own of course, but it's so much easier this way)...

Celebrate Christmas in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth

This article includes an official guide to what's on in Nazareth this December (scroll down past the Bethlehem events to see). You might be surprised to know there's an annual Christmas Parade, plus a Midnight Mass in the ever impressive Church of the Annunciation! And there is also an annual Christmas Market in Nazareth that typically lasts for a week or so in the run-up to Christmas (not quite the Christmas markets you might be familiar with back home, but hey, it's a market, it's Christmas in Israel, what's not to enjoy!).

Celebrate Christmas in Tel Aviv

To be honest, you could walk the streets of Tel Aviv through December and not have an inkling that Santa was about to visit. There will be areas that might have a couple of Christmas-friendly shops, particularly in Jaffa and South Tel Aviv. But unless you're going to stay at a hostel or a very Christmas friendly hotel, you're not going to get much of a Christmas vibe. This article will give you a flavor of what a Christmas-hungry tourist in Tel Aviv will go through...

Additional reading to get you in the mood for Christmas in Israel...

Need more info about where exactly to enjoy Christmas in Israel? Try these: Christmas in Bethlehem | Christmas in Jerusalem | Christmas in Tel Aviv | Christmas in Nazareth | Christmas in Haifa | Christmas in the Galilee
If you're searching for accommodation in Israel over Christmas, check out our highly recommended options right here!!

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Christmas in Israel: the ESSENTIAL guide!

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Aaah, Christmas in Israel. After spending many a Christmas here in Israel, we've gotten to know exactly what makes the Holy Land tick come Santa time!

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Students will listen to an animated story about the history of Hanukkah and the meaning behind the menorah!

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What Does it Look Like to Celebrate Hanukkah 

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What Does it Look Like to Celebrate Hanukkah 

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Watch this short video to see how Amanda celebrates Hanukkah!

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Elmo's World Happy Holidays - Just Savitzky Family

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In the video below, we will watch three little kids sing the dreidel song and act out the movements. I have included the lyrics to the song so that as a class we can sing along!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRsU-HIvUWs

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Students will create a Star of David ornament that we will hang on our classroom tree and that they will be able to take home with them at the end of the unit to share with their families!

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Students will be given time in class to complete their Christmas Around the World Travel Journal: Italy entry.

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Christmas Around the World: Travel Journal 