Happy Holidays - not just a PC term

For many years I associated the term ‘happy holidays’ with American culture. I only seemed to hear American’s using it and it seemed to be something that was ‘just said’ around the Christmas period, generally seen to be the largest celebration in the Western calendar. As Grammarly explains, ‘ saying Happy Holidays is more inclusive’ and can be a way for us to show we have a broader understanding than the cultural and religious holidays we believe in and celebrate. Of course, being inclusive isn’t just about what we say, it has to be how we act, and we aren’t always going to get it right.

Inclusiveness means going beyond words

Recently, without thinking too deeply about it but with the intention of being inclusive, I invited some family friends who are Jewish, to join us at a local Christmas family quiz. In my mind this was a social event, not a religious one (my family celebrates Christmas as a cultural festival instead of a religious one like many western families). They politely declined reminding me that they don’t celebrate Christmas, but thanked me for being inclusive.

The holiday period is often considered Dec-Jan but it can stretch from November, when American’s celebrate Thanksgiving, into the new calendar year. The following are some global holidays and festivals of this time.

Different global celebrations

Christian celebrations

As well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, both of which are the main period of Christmas celebration for global communities, there are a raft of associated Christian/Christmas related festivals and celebrations around this period including:

• St Nicholas Day or Feast of St Nicholas (Dec 5 or 6): considered St Nicholas (Santa’s inspiration) birthday.

• Immaculate Conception Day (Dec 8): An important celebration for the Catholic church which includes church services and often feasting.

Buddist Festivals

• Rohatsu/Buddah’s birth day: The Buddhist faith centers around The Buddha, whose mortal name was Siddartha Gautauma. The celebration often features periods of meditation.

The Buddha is the central figure of Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest religions.

Jewish Festivals

• Hanukkah (8 days in late December): One of the most important Jewish celebrations, the menorah (8 branched candle holder) is lit each evening as part of the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Pagan Festivals

• Yule (Dec 21-Jan1): Celebrates the Winter Solstice, or the short day of the year, acknowledging the days will now begin to grow longer. The burning of the Yule Log tradition has been somewhat included into Christmas celebrations, along with other traditions such as lighting candles.

Zoroastrianism

• Zarathosht Disc (Dec 26): A somewhat unknown world religion, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, often associated with the element of fire. The festival is marked by honoring the death of the Prophet Zoroaster and celebrated with prayers and visiting a fire temple if possible.

Classroom activities:

The following activities develop global awareness inclusivity, cultural awareness, helping students understand the diverse ways people celebrate during this festive season!

• Hang Christmas stockings around the classroom with student’s names on them. Each student writes a note or draws a picture for other students and adds them into the stockings.

• Show Catholic church stain-glass windows as an art style and students make their own stain glass windows for a family or cultural celebration they participate in.

• Explore what meditation or mindfulness is. Set up a quiet corner of the classroom and provide some mindfulness music and headphones for students to try. Lead the class in an age appropriate mindfulness activity such as a grounding.

• Cooking - try out some recipes from different celebrations and festivals. Invite parents or community in to assist.

• Most festivals use the imaging or act of lighting candles or lanterns. This is often representing hope or new beginnings. Discuss what students hopes and wishes are. Can these be something that students are able to action?

However you and your friends, family and loved ones celebrate the ‘holiday season’ - may it bring you joy, rest and restoration.