For many people around the world, December 25th means Christmas, a time to gather with family and friends. For Christians, this date commemorates the birth of Christ. What are the cultural and religious origins of Christmas customs like exchanging gifts and wearing red?
Tips for Parents
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Here's how to talk to your child about it
You learned that Christmas is a holiday celebrated on December 25th, and it has cultural and religious origins. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians. People exchange gifts and wear red as part of the traditions. Santa Claus and flying reindeer are also associated with Christmas.
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Some activities you can do with your child now
- Discuss the origins of Christmas traditions with your child, such as the Christmas tree tradition started by the English royal family in the 1800s. - Encourage your child to create their own Christmas traditions, like making handmade gifts for family members. - Read a children's book about the Nativity story and discuss the significance of gift giving in relation to the three wise men. - Watch a movie or show about Santa Claus and his reindeer, and talk about the history and symbolism behind these characters.
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Pretend play with your child
GAME NAME: Christmas Traditions Trivia GAME INSTRUCTIONS: Test your knowledge of Christmas traditions with your child! Take turns asking each other questions about the origins and customs of Christmas, based on the information in the video. See who can answer the most correctly and learn something new about this festive holiday!
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1 take away from the video for your child
"The origins and traditions of Christmas teach us that the holiday is about more than just gifts and decorations. It is a time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ."