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In the United States and many other countries, Christmas is traditionally held as the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Observed on Dec. 25 by Christians around the world, Christmas is commemorated differently in various cultures. Teaching preschool children how Christmas is celebrated around the world exposes them to how different cultures view similar ideologies.
When it comes to Christmas crafts and decorations, many countries share the same centuries-old traditions. Each culture puts its spin on these customs, so that something as universal as a Christmas tree might have a different appearance on another continent. Household decorations also vary depending on the fruits and flowers of the season -- and on the season itself, for in Southern Hemisphere countries, Christmas comes in the summertime.
Diwali, also known as the "Festival of Lights," is a holiday celebrated by Hindu practitioners in India and around the world and is a New Year's celebration. This five-day festival occurs over the last three days of the lunar calendar, and on the first two days of the lunar new year. Over the five days, different gods are honored, culminated in the lighting of "diyas," which are ceramic lamps that are lit and placed around the home, on porches and lining paths. Making your own diyas can be a fun family activity, or can add a meaningful personal touch to…
The Indian New Year is called Diwali and to celebrate families make lots of diyas or small clay candles to celebrate good over evil. In India, the small clay pot is filled with clarified ghee which is similar to oil. Cotton wool is twisted to make a small wick and the lamps are arranged in rows as part of the celebration. A crafter can make a similar small lamp (diya) using polymer clay and tealight candles. The pots or lamps can be painted to recognize the Indian holiday and celebration.
Halloween is a time to celebrate with customary decorations, foods, games and activities. Many of these customs are traditional with their cultural roots in old religions or folklore. The customs are simple but require specific equipment, time and preparation to make a memorable event for your holiday guests.
An around-the-world theme can make for some colorful and interesting decorations and party activities. Borrowing ideas, customs and food from various countries from around the world will give you a variety of choices and ideas. Whether the birthday boy is about to embark on an international voyage or he is simply interested in different cultures, an around-the-world theme can bring an eclectic and interesting flair to your celebration.
Decorating a Christmas tree with ribbon saves you the mess of using tinsel, and ribbon provides a wide variety of options for colors, sheen, patterns and fabrics. Select a style and color of ribbon that coordinates with the rest of your Christmas tree decorations, and buy enough ribbon to decorate the entire tree; it may take more ribbon than garland due to decorating styles, so plan accordingly.
Childhood should be a time of learning and play rather than work. The majority of countries have laws preventing children from working until they reach age 16. Despite these laws, according to UNICEF's figures for 2010, approximately158 million children between five and 14 are working. Many of the children involved in child labor are employed in hazardous occupations such as mining, or are hidden in sweatshops and plantations. Child labor exists mainly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Christmas is a worldwide phenomenon celebrated in varying ways depending on the culture of a particular group. Popular traditions followed all over the world include the giving and receiving of presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but there are differences in the activities children partake in at that time of year. Here are a few countries who celebrate Christmas according to their own cultural ways.
Christmas is a worldwide holiday celebrated on the December 25. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and also brings in the new season of Christmastide in the Christian liturgical year. Although a Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated annually by Christians and non-Christians alike.
According to Citrus.com, oranges have been grown in Florida commercially since the early 20th century, and in 2005 the orange became the state's official fruit. Florida oranges come in many varieties including navel, temple, blood, honeybell and valencia oranges. They have become an ideal gift to send to others, particularly in winter months when recipients living in cold climates cannot enjoy locally-grown oranges.
Diyas are Indian celebratory lamps used during special occasions such as the sacred Hindi celebration Diwali, or "festival of lights." Traditional diyas are earthen tear-shaped bowls filled with oil or ghee (Indian butter), which have at least one spout-like feature for securing a lit free-floating cotton wick. Today more ornate and decorative diyas are widely used in various celebrations of good fortune and prosperity by a number of Indian religions and others from around the world.
Flowers for fallen war heroes are respectfully displayed at funerals, gravesites and in parades to honor deceased veterans. Perhaps rightfully so, there is no one flower that is designated as the "official" flower for war heroes. Instead, the military, the United States government, families and friends, and representatives of countries from around the world pay respect to the freedom many died for by using the freedom of choice to select flowers, bouquets and wreaths to lay at gravesites.
If you are trying to teach your children about leaf identification, then consider creating a learning craft that allows them to get outside and to discover the world around them. Print out leaf identification sheets, or make your own. Then, lead your children in a craft in which they make a duplication of their favorite leaves. Use craft materials that you already have around your house -- such as craft paper, glue, scissors, glitter pens and markers. Use your imagination.
We have all fallen for them. It is human nature. Practical jokes make the world go around, and can break the tension in a stressful environment at home, work, school or just about anywhere. Get revenge without hurting the victim. We're not talking about one-liner jokes like "Knock, knock/Who's there?" These are practical jokes that take a bit of planning and sometimes the help of co-conspirators. It's always good to know your intended victim and how well they can take a practical joke.
Many cruise lines relegate winter cruising to warmer locales, but this is not so with river cruising. On a river cruise, you can enjoy the winter chill while cruising between European Christmas markets or while looking at the passing landscape in Spain. While you can find them worldwide, luxury river cruises around Christmas are most prominently featured in Western and Eastern Europe. Luxury river cruise boats have hotel-style staterooms and a variety of amenities, such as fitness rooms, libraries and spas.
APO is an acronym for Army and Air Force Post Office, which is strictly reserved for Army and Air Force personnel. This is separate from a Fleet Post Office (FPO), which is reserved for Navy and Marine personnel. The Department of Defense determines transit times, which vary depending on operational conditions and the addressee's unit. Shipping to an APO address may cause concern because some companies do not deliver to them.
Halloween is not always celebrated around the world. The celebration has been imported into non-Western countries with many of the same European customs, such as trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins. However, many countries have their own native holidays that are similar to Halloween, honoring the spirits of the dead and ancestors.
In the month of December, Christmas celebrants all over the world follow the familiar traditions of opening gifts, singing carols and gathering with friends and family. However, different countries have different traditional Christmas celebrations. An exciting way to help your children understand other cultures and how they celebrate Christmas is to make crafts from the traditions of foreign countries. As you make these crafts, talk about how you and your family normally celebrate Christmas and compare it with how other people celebrate.
Herbert Hoover and his wife devoted themselves to traveling around the world spreading a message of peace and goodwill to others. Christmas spent around the world became special to the Hoovers. At the Herbert Hoover Museum, an exhibit honors their devotion to peace, Christmas and helping others around the world. The Christmas Around the World exhibit at the museum serves to share the Hoovers' love of the holiday with visitors to the museum.
Each year, the Disney World Cast Members create a breathtaking mixture of special events and decor during the Christmas season. It is the most wonderful time to visit the Happiest Place on Earth.
Coffin nails are not a hot item these days. Anyone who's been to a funeral in the last few decades can tell you the pine box and its nails have gone the way of the Dodo. But you won't find Halloween decoration coffin nails at your local hardware store or mortuary. Here's how to become a coffin nails detective.
There are many contributing factors to the extinction of an entire species of animals. Excessive hunting, environmental degradation and property development on animal sanctuaries cause the extinction of animals. You need to use the power of the media and your commitment to protecting animals in order to prevent animal extinction.
