What Winter Holidays Are Celebrated Around the World, and What Can We Learn From Them?

Happy Holidays from The Foster Lane!

If you’re new here, The Foster Lane is a parent coaching service founded in 2016 by Sarah Salisott. We are committed to helping struggling parents and caregivers laugh more and yell less. We're motivated by our core values to learn about and better represent our diverse community and make our services more accessible. 

As we prepare for the chilly Wisconsin winter, we’re reflecting on our holiday traditions and finding inspiration in global celebrations that warm hearts and bring communities together. Holidays offer a special opportunity to explore diverse cultural celebrations, learn invaluable lessons, and deepen personal connections. 

Understanding and appreciating holidays beyond our traditions can foster a more inclusive and empathetic community. Acknowledging and learning about the winter celebrations of other cultures is a powerful tool for building bridges and nurturing a sense of belonging. 

Each holiday brings unique values, customs, and teachings that enrich the lives of those who celebrate them. By delving into these celebrations, we broaden our knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for other cultures. At The Foster Lane, we're committed to creating a safe, diverse, and inclusive environment where families from all backgrounds can find the support they need to thrive. Now, let's embark on our journey through 11 enchanting winter holidays. 

Exploring Multicultural Holidays: A Global Celebration of Diversity

1. Diwali

Members of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh religions in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, and Fiji celebrate Diwali, a five-day festival of lights. 

Diwali typically falls between October and November. The festival dates are determined by the Hindu lunar calendar and vary from year to year. 

Diwali symbolizes the victory of knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness, and good over evil. It's a time for reflection, family bonding, and sharing joy with others. 

Each of the religions that recognize Diwali celebrates with different traditions. Here are some things their celebrations have in common: lighting oil lamps, visiting relatives, feasts, and fireworks.

2. Hanukkah

Hanukkah (also: Chanukah) is a festival of lights celebrated by the Jewish community. On the Gregorian calendar, Hanukkah falls between late November and late December; on the Hebrew calendar, it begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. 

This holiday commemorates the miracle of one day’s worth of oil lasting eight days during a battle for the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Each night for eight nights, a candle in the menorah is lit.

Hanukkah represents the resilience of the Jewish people and the importance of preserving cultural identity in the face of adversity. In addition to lighting the menorah, Jews eat traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, exchanging gifts, and playing dreidel.

3. St. Lucia Day

St. Lucia Day (aka St. Lucy Day) is a Christian feast day celebrated in Scandinavian countries and Italy on December 13. 

This feast is meant to honor the martyr St. Lucia, who, according to legend, helped Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs in the early 4th century. She was able to reach them in the dark underground tombs by wearing a candlelit wreath on her head. This lit her path and enabled her to carry as much food as possible. 

Over the centuries, St. Lucia Day came to symbolize light and hope during the darkest days of winter. It's common for girls to dress like St. Lucia; they wear white robes with red sashes and wreaths of candles on their heads. The day is marked by processions, singing, and sharing of traditional pastries like St. Lucia Crown Bread decorated with seven candles placed in a circle. 

4. Winter Solstice

The celebration of the winter solstice is not tied to a specific religion. Various cultures and spiritual traditions throughout history have observed this day. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs around December 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. 

Cultures and civilizations worldwide have celebrated the winter solstice as a significant astronomical event. The winter solstice ushers in the changing of seasons and the gradual return of longer days. Some ancient pagan traditions and indigenous cultures have rituals and celebrations associated with the solstice. 

Some Neopagan and Earth-centered spiritual traditions may observe the winter solstice as a sacred or meaningful time. They'll often emphasize themes of rebirth, renewal, and the cycles of nature. 

The solstice plays a role in various secular and cultural celebrations, festivals, and traditions. Festivities may include bonfires, feasting, and rituals welcoming the rebirth of the sun. 

5. Yule

Yule is a festival or holiday with roots in Germanic pagan traditions. It began in Scandinavia as a Norse festival honoring the gods. It predates the Christianization of Europe but was later absorbed into Christmas celebrations. Wiccans and Neo-Pagans still celebrate it. 

Because the solstice marks the lengthening of the day, Yule festivities celebrate the return of the sun, the promise of spring, and the triumph of light over darkness. Festivities involve feasting, storytelling, and the burning of the Yule log, which has become part of the Christmas tradition. 

6. Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 by Christians and non-Christians alike around the world.

For Christians, Christmas is a commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ; love, generosity, and goodwill are common messages of the season. This holiday is often marked by church services and spiritual reflection. 

Decorations, gift-giving, festive meals, family togetherness, and spreading happiness are hallmarks of this holiday. 

7. Los Posadas

Los Posadas ("The Inns") is observed from December 16 to 24. Los Posados is a Christian Christmas tradition that originated in Spain. 

Now celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of the United States, this holiday commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 

During the nine-day celebration, there are processions reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. The singing of Christmas carols, religious services, food, and breaking piñatas commonly occur with the processions. The purpose of the processions is to highlight the importance of community, kindness, and hospitality. 

8. Three Kings Day

Following Christmas is Three Kings Day (aka Epiphany) on January 6. This religious holiday is celebrated by Christians, especially in Latin America and Spain. 

Three Kings Day commemorates the arrival of the Kings Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar, in Bethlehem to bring baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As with Christmas, Three Kings Day emphasizes the joy of giving and receiving gifts. Communities hold parades, feast, and enjoy "Rosca de Reyes" (Kings Day Bread). 

According to tradition, if you receive a piece of Rosca de Reyes with a baby figurine (representing Jesus), you’re expected to host a party 40 days later on Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas). 

9. Boxing Day

Boxing Day is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on December 26.

This British tradition dates back to Queen Victoria's rule in the 1800s. Boxing Day began as a day off from work for servants of upper-class Britons. In addition to getting the day off, these servants received gifts from their employers, such as leftover food from Christmas meals or gifts. 

Over time, Boxing Day evolved into a day of charitable donations and a broader celebration of generosity and community. Today it is more commercialized. It’s another time for gift-giving or post-holiday shopping and watching sporting events. 

10. Kwanzaa

From December 26 to January 1, some African-American and Pan-African communities celebrate Kwanzaa. 

Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African-American professor, activist, and scholar, created Kwanzaa in 1966 to celebrate and embrace African heritage and values. 

Kwanzaa involves lighting the seven candles in the kinara (candleholder). The candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A black candle representing the principle of Unity (Umoja) is lit first. The next three nights, red candles representing the principles of Self-determination (Kujichagulia), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), and Creativity (Kuumba) are lit. The following three nights, green candles representing Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Purpose (Nia), and Faith (Imani) are lit. Learn more about the significance of the candle-lighting process here. 

The seven principles are meant to celebrate African heritage, foster unity and pride, and build community. 

11. Lunar New Year

Between January 21 and February 20, Chinese and other East Asian communities celebrate the Lunar New Year. 

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, holds cultural and spiritual significance, signifying the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Emphasizing family unity, the festival embodies the renewal of life, prosperity, and the pursuit of good fortune for the coming year. 

Typical celebrations include vibrant dragon and lion dances, colorful lantern festivals, family reunions with elaborate feasts, and the exchange of red envelopes containing money for good luck. Fireworks and parades are also common. 

Embracing Unity in Diversity: A Winter Holiday Reflection

From the radiant lights of Diwali to the jubilant reunions of Chinese New Year, we've discovered the powerful lessons embedded in diverse customs.

As we navigate the winter season, let us carry with us the spirit of unity in diversity. May the lessons learned from these global celebrations guide us in creating homes filled with love, understanding, and a celebration of the unique stories that make each family special. Together, we can create an inclusive and warm community that extends beyond cultural borders.

We wish you a joy-filled season filled with connection and tradition.

For a parent coaching team that knows how to serve your multicultural family, contact us: https://www.thefosterlane.com/site/contact.