Did you know that many people around the world do not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years as we do in the United States? There are several other winter holidays and festivals that are celebrated around the world. Some of the holidays are religious, some are connected to the New Year or beginning of Winter, and others are based more on past events or traditions handed down from generation to generation.
Gung Hay Fat Choy! This is the Chinese greeting for the New Year.
The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. Like all Chinese festivals, the date of the new year is determined by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar.
The Chinese New Year starts on the date of the first new moon of the first month, and celebrations continue until the full moon 15 days later. In 2003, the first new moon is on 1st February.
Chinese New Year - NewYear fortune cookies, Chinese calendar
The
Lion Dance
Lion Dance Video - you may want to mute the sound, it is
in Chinese
Nian - The New Year Monster
Photo Tour of Chinese New Year in New York - click forward to view the pictures
Chinese
New Year Crafts
Arts and Crafts for Chinese New Year
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of
Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, but most Christians
observe Christmas on December 25. On this day, many go to church, where they
take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, they also
exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas
trees. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase
that means Mass of Christ.
Symbols
and Traditions of Christmas
Trees and Ornaments
Christmas
Tree Traditions Around the World
Meaning of Christmas - many links
Christmas - Games, activities and more
Author Jan Brett has many coloring
pages based on her books
Hanukkah is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The Hebrew word hanukkah (also written Hannuka or Chanukah) means dedication. The Hanukkah holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (approximately December) and lasts eight days.
During Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions made to the poor. On the first evening, one candle is lighted in a special eight-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiyah. Beginning on the second night, one candle is added every night until the total reaches eight on the last night. The candles are lighted by a separate candle called a Shamash.
The week of December 26 to January 1 is a special time in many African-American communities. African Americans gather to share Kwanzaa, which means "first" in Swahili. This holiday's traditions come from African celebrations honoring the first harvest of the year.
During Kwanzaa, children help make decorations of red, green
and black, the colors of Kwanzaa. A ceremonial table is set with a straw mat, a
candle holder, and a bowl of fruits and vegetables. Each child places an ear of
corn on the mat. Families gather each evening to light one of seven candles and
to discuss one of the seven values of African-American family life: unity,
taking control of one's own life, collective work and responsibility, sharing
money and profits, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Kwanzaa - Games, activities and more
Las Posadas is a celebration in Mexico that starts on December 16th during the Christmas season. It represents the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Las Posadas lasts nine days representing Mary’s nine months of pregnancy. People re-enact Las Posadas by dressing up as Mary or Joseph and traveling from house to house in the neighborhood looking for a place at the inn. A large parade follows them; people carry candles, paper lanterns, and they sing Christmas songs. Mary and Joseph find a place at the inn on the last night (Christmas Eve). At the end, a big fiesta is celebrated with food, drinks, music and a piñata for the children.