The holidays are a great time to break out the old photo albums, talk to family members, and have the children ask questions about holiday traditions and other special memories. Every family has different stories to tell.
Incorporating Family Heritage in Traditions
My family is Dutch, and we still have family members who reside in The Netherlands today. When I think about bringing Dutch traditions into our home, I think of leaving wooden shoes outside to be filled with candy. I think of all the desserts made with almond paste, or toast covered in hagelslag (Dutch sprinkles). We try to teach our children about what their grandparents did for Christmas, and how we can honor those traditions today.
If you have family members from other countries, why not make them something from their home country for the holidays? Watch the eyes of family members light up when they realize you have recreated a recipe passed down from generation to generation. Or maybe you make them an ornament, or another holiday item showcased in that country. This makes the gift extra special.
My children have had several interesting projects to create for school over the years. Some of my favorites have been those that teach my children more about other countries and their own family heritage. My son is in the sixth grade this year and was recently assigned a geography project where he needed to choose a European country and create something from that country that you might see for sale in a European Christmas Market. Since we have family roots in The Netherlands, he chose this country along with Dutch butter cookies to sell. Through this assignment, he was able to learn more about The Netherlands and bake cookies with his Dutch grandmother. It was a special time of learning and time spent with family.
Maybe your family has roots in Europe, Africa, or Asia. Or maybe you do not know where your ancestral roots lie. If that is the case, there are various ways to find out.
Researching Your Family Tree
Last year, one of my daughter’s assignments was to research and record her family tree. We used FamilySearch, a website that aids in helping discover your roots and family connections. This was a great way for us to learn more about our family roots. There are several others where you can purchase a membership to discover more about your family history such as Ancestry and 23andMe. Not only would it be beneficial for your children to learn more about their family, but it would also make a great Christmas gift for someone who wants to research their family tree.
Beyond the Family Tree to Around the World
Maybe researching the family tree is not feasible for you or your children this year. That is okay! See if your child is learning about a specific part of the world in school or is simply intrigued by another culture. Between the internet, the library, and the television, information is everywhere. So I recommend narrowing it down before you dive in.
What country or culture is your child interested in or excited about? After you land on a country, you can start to carry out specific research. Do people in this country read certain stories over the holidays, or cook specific foods? What kind of decorations do they have? What kinds of traditions do they pass down to their children? Research this with your kids, and let them be a part of bringing these holiday traditions into your home this Christmas. You can make this a fun learning experience for your children that they will not only enjoy, but also remember for years to come.
Exploring Around the World Throughout the Year
If your children love learning about various countries and would like to try treats from all over the world throughout the year, there are several ways to do this.
You can take them to World Market, where there are a variety of treats made from around the world. These treats are labeled as to where they originate, which makes it even easier to find specific ones.
If you would rather have worldwide treats mailed to your doorstep, make sure you check out Universal Yums. This is a fun subscription box filled with foreign treats, history, trivia, and games. There are plenty more subscription boxes to choose from to make your loved ones feel like they are traveling year-round. Some include crafts for kids, international artisan creations, books, and more! This would also make a terrific Christmas gift!
No matter where your family is from, you can make every Christmas a fun learning experience. If you would rather simply learn about other countries, spin the globe and see where it lands. You may find that you love a certain holiday tradition or meal from somewhere else in the world. Then you can incorporate that meal or tradition into your own holiday celebrations this year and for years to come!
