Talking to Kids About December Holidays

 

Growing up in the Midwest as a little girl, I only knew about Christmas. That was it. In my world, that was the only December holiday. But as I got older—through books, new friends, travel, and endless curiosity—I discovered something magical: December is filled with celebrations and traditions from all around the world.

December is a month overflowing with traditions. When we take the time to learn about holidays beyond our own, we plant and grow seeds of respect, empathy, and curiosity in our kids (and ourselves!). This is a priceless gift we can give: showing our children that the world is full of beautiful differences—and that learning about them helps us grow not only our brains with knowledge but our hearts with kindness.

This kind of learning creates space for our friends, classmates, and neighbors to celebrate what’s special to them. It helps every child feel seen, included, and valued in their classroom and community.
How cool is that?

So this month, let’s explore the beauty of December around the world… through conversations!

December Holidays & What They Mean

  • ❤️ St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6)
    • Celebrated in parts of Europe. Children leave out shoes or stockings for small gifts and treats from St. Nicholas.
  • 🕯️ Bodhi Day (Dec 8)
    • A Buddhist holiday honoring the day the Buddha reached enlightenment. A time for calm, reflection, and gratitude.
  • 🇲🇽 Las Posadas (Dec 16–24)
    • A Mexican tradition reenacting Mary and Joseph’s journey before Jesus’ birth. Communities celebrate with candles, songs, food, and joyful gatherings.
  • 🕎 Hanukkah (Dates vary, usually December)
    • An 8-night Jewish celebration. Families light the menorah, play dreidel, enjoy foods cooked in oil, and honor the miracle of the oil that burned far longer than expected.
  • ✨ Yule (Dec 21–Jan 1)
    • A Pagan festival honoring nature, the seasons, and the return of the sun. Many familiar Christmas traditions—like wreaths and evergreen decorations—come from Yule!
  • 🎄 Christmas (Dec 25)
    • Celebrates the birth of Jesus in Christian traditions. Families decorate trees, exchange gifts, cook favorite meals, and spend time together.
  • 🌅 Kwanzaa (Dec 26–Jan 1)
    • An African American celebration of culture, community, and heritage. Each day highlights a meaningful value like unity, purpose, creativity, or faith.
  • ☀️ Winter Solstice (Dec 21 or 22)
    • The shortest day and longest night of the year! Many cultures celebrate the return of light and the slow transition toward brighter days.
  • 🎆 Ōmisoka (Dec 31)
    • A Japanese New Year’s celebration focused on preparing the home and heart for the year ahead. Families clean the house, share a special meal, and welcome the new year with intention.
  • 🎉 New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)
    • A worldwide celebration of letting go of the old year and welcoming the new one with hope, goals, and fresh beginnings.
  • 🕌 Ramadan
    • A Muslim month of fasting and reflection. It shifts each year and doesn’t fall in December for 2025, but some years it overlaps with the season.

Why Learning About December Holidays Matters

When we teach kids about holidays they don’t personally celebrate, we’re helping them build:

  • Empathy — understanding and appreciating others’ experiences
  • Respect — recognizing that all families have meaningful traditions
  • Curiosity — asking great questions and wanting to learn more
  • Inclusion — helping every child feel honored and seen

These small conversations help kids grow into kinder, more thoughtful leaders! 

Continue these conversations with our Conversation Club—and give the gift of meaningful moments all year long.

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