Holiday: Christmas Around the World

These sites explain how Christmas and winter holidays are celebrated in different parts of the world. Countries include France, Canada, Poland, England, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and many more. See how to say “Merry Christmas” in several languages and discover if people around the globe decorate trees or believe in Santa. There are links to eThemes Resources on Christmas traditions in America and Germany and Christmas crafts and games.

Grades

Links

Holidays from Around the World: Read real life short stories about what the holidays are like in Japan, New Zealand, India, Scotland, Hungary, and more.
Different Customs: Click on the 30 different country names to learn about their Christmas celebrations.
FactMonster: Christmas Traditions Around the World: Test your knowledge of Christmas traditions from other countries using this interactive quiz. NOTE: The website includes pop-up and banner ads.
FactMonster: Saying Merry Christmas Around the World: Learn how to say “Merry Christmas” or “Season’s Greetings” in different languages. NOTE: The website includes pop-up and banner ads.
Christmas Around the World: Click on a flag to read a longer description of Christmas in eight different countries.
Swiss Christmas Cookies: Click on the links next to the picture of the cookies to see recipes for Christmas cookies from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. NOTE: This site contains ads and sponsored links.
Christmas with Virtual Finland: This site takes a look at Christmas in Finland. Includes a video of Santa “at home” in Finnish Lapland.
Christmas in England: Learn about caroling, nativity plays, and pantomime, which are popular traditions in England.
BBC: Christmas in Wales: Learn about Welsh Christmas customs, superstitions, and recipes. There is also an interactive advent calendar and an article about Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”
Yule in Iceland: Find out how Yule is celebrated in Iceland. See what Icelanders use for Christmas trees, learn about the Yuletide lads (not elves!), and their mother Gryla who used to frighten naughty children.
Christmas in Australia: Scroll down to “Christmas in Australia” to find out what people do to celebrate Christmas in Australia, which is during the summer.
Christmas in Argentina: Read three children’s descriptions to find out how Christmas is celebrated in Argentina.
Lesson Plan: After learning about Christmas celebrations around the world, students can write a friendly letter that compares Christmas customs in another country with those in their own.
Christmas in Poland: This site talks about Christmas Eve superstitions and fortune telling. Click on “Christmas Feast” to find a recipe for pierogis, “Christmas Carols” to read about Polish Christmas songs, and “Christmas Creche” to read about this Nativity tradition. You can also send an electronic Polish Christmas card. NOTE: This site has a guestbook. NOTE: This site contains sponsored ads and a banner. The link for “Christmas Presents” leads to an online store.
Christmas Traditions in France and Canada: This site has lots of information about the history of Christmas celebrations in France and French-speaking Canada. You can read about religious, secular, and family celebrations from the middle ages throught the present.
History Channel: Christmas Traditions World Wide: Learn about Christmas traditions around the world, how Christmas trees got started, and the evolution of Santa Clause. There are also sections on Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. NOTE: This site includes ads.
Holiday Traditions Around the World: Click on a country or winter holiday name for a brief description of its traditions and celebrations.
Christmas in Sweden: Learn more about the Christmas traditions in Sweden including when they celebrate and the foods they fix. Directions are included in how to make a St. Lucia Wreath.
eThemes Resource: Holiday: Christmas Traditions in America: These sites explain Christmas traditions in America, including Santa, stockings, Christmas trees, and the story of Jesus. There are some educational activities that have a Christmas theme, such as story starters and math problems. Also includes text of the famous letter, “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” There are links to eThemes Resources on Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
eThemes Resource: Holiday: Christmas Games and Crafts: These sites offer many fun ideas for free time during the holidays. Includes online games and classroom activities. Send an e-mail to Santa, complete word searches, read Christmas stories, or create holiday crafts. There are also links to Christmas clip art, coloring pages, and two eThemes Resources on Christmas traditions.
eThemes Resource: Holiday: Christmas in Germany: These sites have information about Christmas traditions in Germany. Learn how Christmas is celebrated in Germany and their Christmas traditions and customs. Includes information on advent calendars, advent wreaths, Christmas recipes, Christmas carols, German Christmas greetings, and Christmas markets. There are also links to eThemes Resources on Christmas Around the World, Christmas Traditions in America, and Christmas Games and Crafts.