Article
A&E Television

History.com: How 25 Christmas Traditions Got Their Start

For Students 9th - 10th
Christmas in America has been filled with traditions, old and new. Some date back to 16th-century Germany or even ancient Greek times, while others have caught on in modern times. Here's a look at 25 ways Americans have celebrated the...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How Ghost Stories Became a Christmas Tradition in Victorian England

For Students 9th - 10th
Spooky stories featuring the supernatural were all the rage during the darkest time of the year. Towards the end of each year, as fireplaces are lit and hot cocoa is made, Americans have made it a tradition to revisit their favorite...
Activity
Other

Mexico Christmas Traditions & Customs

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of Christmas traditions and customs in Mexico.
Interactive
British Council

Learn English Kids: My Favorite Day: Christmas

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Listen to a story about Christmas traditions in United Kingdom. Included are Christmas activities, a quiz about Christmas traditions, and descriptions of many children's favorite days.
Website
Incredible Art Department

The Incredible Art Department: Christmas

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explains the history of Christmas, its significance in religion, and its traditions and customs. Presents lesson suggestions from teachers and links to Christmas arts and crafts lessons and resources.
Website
Other

Kiddy House: All About Christmas Kids and Teachers

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Check out this awesome secular Christmas resource. This site offers songs, customs, themes and more.
Activity
Other

Christmas Traditions in Brazil

For Students 9th - 10th
Each country celebrates Christmas in their own diverse way. Find out what the customs and traditions are like in Brazil.
Website
Virtual Museum of Canada

Virtual Museum of Canada: Christmas Traditions in France and Canada

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This resource describes the differences between French and Canadian Christmas celebrations, in French and English. The embedded links in the text contain the most extensive information. Link to French version is at bottom of home page.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Christmas Day, December 25

For Students 3rd - 8th
Christmas traditions are unique to each family. But we share a common origin of this special holiday. Learn about the fundamentals of this celebration at this Library of Congress site.
Handout
Other

Why Christmas: Christmas Traditions and Customs: Kwanzaa

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn all about the holiday of Kwanzaa which celebrates African and African-American culture and history each December.
Website
White House Historical Association

White House Historical Association: Christmas Tree Themes

For Students K - 1st
The White House Historical Association takes a look at how Christmas has been celebrated in the White House throughout history. A chronicle of how Christmas trees have been decorated and the themes used by the various First Ladies. Also...
Website
Other

American Antiquarian Society: Visions of Christmas

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibition that presents the history and traditions of the Christmas holiday through the years. Here you can discover the origins of Santa, the Christmas tree, and the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas".
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois Extension: Urban Programs Resource Network: Christmas Trees & More

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can find a wealth of information about Christmas trees that grow here in the U.S. Content includes tree facts, tree types, selection and care, Christmas traditions, recipes, and more! Be sure to click on Christmas Tree Fun for...
Website
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Holidays: Christmas

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site provides links and ideas for lesson plans about Christmas. Also provides basic information about the history of Christmas traditions in America.
eBook
Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tar Heel Reader: Christmas (43)

For Students Pre-K - 1st
E-book pinpointing several common Christmas traditions from Santa Claus to Elf on the Shelf.
Website
Other

Why Christmas: Christmas Cultures Around the World

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the different traditions and ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Experience Christmas from Australia to Zambia, Italy to China, and many more countries.
Website
Other

The North Pole: Christmas Around the World

For Students 3rd - 8th
A look at how world countries celebrate the different traditions of the Christmas season.
Website
Other

Santa's Net: Christmas in Germany

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of Christmas traditions celebrated in Germany.
Activity
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas: Describe Christmas or Other Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Various listening examples of native speakers in different dialects describing the Christmas and other holiday traditions. Uses a variety of tenses. Provides a transcript as well so you can read along. Great way to bring native speakers...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How Christmas Was Celebrated in the Middle Ages

For Students 9th - 10th
Long before Santa Claus, caroling and light-strewn Christmas trees, people in medieval Europe celebrated the Christmas season with 12 full days of feasting and revelry culminating with Twelfth Night and the raucous crowning of a "King of...
Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry: Chicago: Christmas Around the World and Holidays

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This interactive museum will help students explore Christmas traditions, trees specifically, from around the world.
Unit Plan
Other

Australian Traditions

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at some Australian traditions, including Australia Day, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas, ANZAC Day, the Melbourne Cup, and how some of these traditions are different in Australia than in other nations.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: Dreaming of a White (House) Christmas: 17 Photos

For Students 9th - 10th
Christmas at the first residence has evolved from an understated, intimate affair in 1800 to an all-out media event.
Website
Other

Jackie Chan Kids Corner: Christmas in China

For Students 9th - 10th
In addition to descriptions of how Christmas is celebrated differently in China and in Hong Kong, this site offers many photographs of Chinese Christmas celebrations and decorations.

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