Activities to learn about Christmas traditions from around the world

Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)

Christmas traditions vary around the world. Try out these two holiday-inspired activities where you can make decorations for your home by hand – and learn a little about crafts from other regions and countries.

Parol star

This is what your parol star should look like at the end. Photo: JEMS Character Academy

This craft is from the Philippines, where the parol star is a special Christmas symbol. The colourful decoration represents the star of Bethlehem. According to the nativity story, the star guides wise men to baby Jesus.

In the Philippines, families hang parols outside their homes to inspire joy, celebrate and remind others of light and hope during Christmas. Traditionally made from bamboo and colourful paper, crafting this ornament is a fun activity for the whole family.

Materials

• 1 paper plate

• coloured paper

• coloured markers and pencils

• ruler

• scissors

• glue

Instructions

1. Use a mug to trace a circle in the centre of your plate. Make sure it’s smaller than your plate so you are left with a ring or border. Cut the circle out.

2. Use pens to colour in the ring.

3. Draw a star on a piece of coloured paper. Make sure it’s big enough to touch the outer ring of the plate so you can glue it down later. Cut it out.

4. Cut out two strips of coloured paper around 3cm wide and 10cm long. Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines going down. Then, cut along the lines, but stop a few centimetres before the end so that the strips stay connected.

5. Glue your star onto the ring. Then, turn the ring over and glue the top of the two strips to the ring.

To create the fringe, make sure not to cut all the way to the end. Photo: JEMS Character Academy

Paper bead ornament

Tie a double knot to finish off your ornament. Photo: JEMS Character Academy

Paper beads can be traced back to ancient Egypt and other parts of Africa. It is sometimes considered the oldest craft done on the African continent. Some people also say that paper bead ornaments originated in England during the Victorian era.

The beautiful and colourful beads were often made in groups, so they represent the spirit of creativity and community. During the holiday season, you can hang the ornaments on your Christmas tree or around your home. When you see the ornament, you can remember the joyful experience of making it and the traditions it celebrates.

Materials

• old magazines

• scissors

• toothpick

• glue

• string

Instructions

1. Cut out paper strips from the magazines. Keep them around 1 to 2cm wide.

2. Place a toothpick on one end of the paper strip. Gently roll the toothpick so that the paper begins to cover it. Continue until the end and make sure to roll tightly so the paper stays in place.

3. Use glue to stick one end of the strip down so that your paper does not unroll; then, gently remove the toothpick. You have now created a paper bead. Repeat until you have at least five paper beads.

4. Take a piece of string and thread the beads on. Once all your beads are threaded on, take both ends of the string and tie a double knot to ensure the beads stay in place. You should have a ring of beads.

To make a paper bead, use a toothpick and roll paper strips tightly. Photo: JEMS Character Academy

Content provided by