Food is often said to be the gateway to other cultures, and this is especially true with children. Preparing and tasting food from other cultures is a terrific way to expand your child's horizons and prime them to connect with people of different backgrounds from theirs. It's also a great lead-in to conversations about geography, religion, and history! Keep reading to learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays happening around the world during December and January.
The Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, falls on December 21st this year. Meanwhile, those living in the Southern Hemisphere will be enjoying the long, light-filled days of the Summer Solstice. Solstice celebrations are widely observed in various cultures. For instance, the Yalda Night, an Iranian festival dating back to ancient times, features candles, poetry, and foods like pomegranate and watermelon that mimic the colors of the setting sun.
What to Make: A Yalda Night snacking plate featuring sunset-inspired foods like pomegranate, persimmon, apricot, beets, and watermelon… What other ideas can you come up with?
The Jewish Festival of Lights takes place this year from Dec. 25–Jan. 2. During these eight days, Jews honor Jewish rebels who fought against religious oppression during the second century BCE. Specifically, it commemorates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem. According to the story, the rebels only had enough oil to keep candles lit for just one night but – miraculously – the oil lasted eight nights. For this reason, Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, and the menorah (candelabra) is the central ritual. Hanukkah celebrations involve the lighting of the menorah, prayer, and symbolic food. In addition, children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts.
What to Make: Everyone loves latkes! Serve these potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream for a traditional treat.
Mini Latke Potato Pancakes + Kid-Made Apple Pear Sauce + Sour Cream
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is both a religious and cultural holiday. Traditions in the U.S. often include decorating with lights and greenery, exchanging gifts, attending church services, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and enjoying sweet treats like hot chocolate and cookies.
What to Make: Try a new spin on hot chocolate with this festive recipe!
Caliente Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Celebrated annually from December 26th - January 1st, Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage, culture, and traditions. Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to honor African heritage and encourage unity among African Americans.
As with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa involves a candle-lighting ritual. On each night of Kwanzaa, celebrants light one candle in the kinara (candelabra) to represent one of seven fundamental values of African American family life. According to the official Kwanzaa website, the black, red, and green candles symbolize the people, their struggle, and hope for the future.
"Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili phrase, "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits," because it's modeled on harvest celebrations that are common throughout Africa. Singing, dancing, and gift-giving are popular throughout Kwanzaa week, and on the 6th day, celebrants enjoy the Karamu feast! Kwanzaa dishes vary widely but center around soul food or recipes from a family's particular heritage.
What to Make: Celebrate with a soul-food-inspired recipe or African heritage dish:
One-pot West African Perfectly "Perloo" Rice
Observed on January 1st, New Year's traditions in the U.S. include setting goals (resolutions), watching the Times Square ball drop, and making lots of noise at midnight – cheering, banging pots and pans, or setting off fireworks! Symbolic foods, like black-eyed peas, are often enjoyed for good fortune.
What to Make: Start the year with lucky black-eyed pea fritters!
The Lunar New Year is observed in many East Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In China, it's also known as the Spring Festival. The two-week event includes fireworks, dragon dances, and family gatherings with celebratory food. Popular foods are highly symbolic and selected for their power to usher happiness, wealth, and prosperity.
What to Make: Because they are shaped like bars of gold, potstickers represent wealth.
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