Saint Nicholas Visit and Holiday Comparisons

We have been talking about the many different celebrations around the world that happen during the month of December.  One of the celebrations we talked about that I enjoyed as a child was Saint Nicholas.  In Germany, they put out there shoes in the beginning of December and if you were good Saint Nicholas would come an place candy and fruit in your shoe.  We tried it and you will not believe it.  He came.

There were oranges, candy canes and chocolates in our shoes.

They children were so excited as they came in.  They all really wanted to share and talk about the experience.

When talking about Holidays in different place we even compared Christmas in Canada, Italy and England.  How we did this is I would read a little story about Christmas celebrations and then we would talk about what was the same and different.  They were surprised when they heard Italy had fireworks for Christmas as well as writing letters to mom and dad saying that they would be good.

   

They liked that Father Christmas from England and Santa Claus wear the same clothes.  The children were able to come up with some pretty good comparisons.  I also want to thank Iona's mother for coming in and talking to us about Advent and how they celebrate at home.  We also talked about Hanukkah and the menorah and how Jewish people celebrate the holiday with the lighting of the candles.  Eight all together as the middle one we do not count.