1	Cultures & Holidays Las Posada Hanukkah Kwanza Santa Lucia Christmas
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3	Las Posadas Mexican Holiday 9 days before Christmas The songs refer to Mary and Joseph seeking shelter
4	The Journey Mary and Joseph ride by night to find and Inn Posada = shelter
5	Las Posadas Children break piñatas after singing songs Children swing and hit the animal -shaped piñata while blindfolded Goodies fall out!
6	Poinsettia This vibrant red flower is seen in the winter months The poinsettia is a symbol of Christmas time
7	Hanukkah “Festival of Lights” 8 day Jewish festival Celebration of the victory of Judas and the Maccabees over their enemy, King Antiochus
8	Menorah The priests needed 8 days of oil for candle light, but there was only enough for 1 day Judas lit the menorah (candle holder) and a miracle happened It lasted 8 days! Hanukkah was born!
9	Hanukkah: The Music THEMES History: story of the Maccabees Culture: the “lighter” elements of the festival Music: a cappella vs. instruments
10	Hanukkah Games Hebrew letters on the Dreidl Nun, Heh, Gimmel, Shin “A great miracle happened here”
11	Kwanza December 26 through January 1 African-American holiday celebrating family, community, and culture “First fruits of the harvest” (Swahili) None religious
12	Kwanzaa - 7 Principles Unity Self Determination Collective Work & Responsibility Cooperative Economics Purpose, Creativity Faith
13	African instruments Talking drum Karimbe (thumb piano) Shekere (gourd rattle)
14	African Styles African-American music styles Spirituals Gospel Music
15	Scandinavia Sweden, Norway, Denmark St. Nicholas Day December 6^th Santa Lucia December 13^th
16	St. Nicholas Day December 6^th Children leave their shoes out for St. Nicholas to fill with treats Candy! Toys!
17	Santa Lucia “Festival of Light” December 13^th Daughter wears a crown of candles bringing Lussibread and coffee to parents She announces Christmas will soon be here
18	Scandinavia: Music “Nu ar det jul igen” or “Yuletide is Here again” Swedish dance carol A “carol” was originally a round dance with singing
19	Scandinavian Traditions Christmas stamps, or seals, are made in Denmark to raise money for charity In the United States, Christmas seals help support medical research
20	Santa Claus and who? In the United States, Santa Claus brings gifts In Sweden, Jultomten, or Christmas gnomes, bring presents
21	Christmas Christmas is celebrated December 25 in the United States It is Baby Jesus’ birthday Families and friends give gifts
22	Christmas - Advent Advent: celebrated 4 weeks before Christmas when Christians prepare for Jesus' birth Advent wreath: 1 candle is lit each week
23	Christmas Trees Germany began the tradition of decorating evergreens Evergreens are a source of life in the cold winter
24	Themes Light Feast
25	Themes Holidays take place in winter season Holidays are celebrated around the world Families celebrate
26	Themes Giving gifts Giving thanks Family time