These links are aimed at both primary and post-primary
students. They may be of particular interest to the subjects of CSPE,
Religion, History or Geography.
If we are missing a particular date or festival then let us know.
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Feast of St Nikolaus (December 6)The eve of this day is a big in Germany. Many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door and St Nicholas fills the boot with presents if the child has been good. Encyclopaedia Britannica has a good section on the origins of the day and associated customs (available through Schools Broadband Network). |
| Immaculate Conception (December 8)
This
is a major holy day for Catholics around the world. For Catholics it
marks the special position of the Virgin Mary who is preserved by a
special grace of God from Original Sin. For many people December 8 is
the day on which people put up Christmas decorations. Encyclopaedia Britannica has a few paragraphs explaining the concept and links to srt images (Schools Broadband only).
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| St Lucia Day (December 13)
Major day in Sweden even though it it is not a public holiday. The event is marked by girls dressing in white dresses. Schools normally have their own St. Lucias and some town and villages also choose a girl to play St. Lucia in a procession where carols are sung.
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| International Human Rights Day (December 10)
International
Human Rights Day has been observed every year since 1950. It is held on
December 10th to mark the anniversary of the General Assembly's
adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Encyclopaedia Britannica has an excellent page explaining human rights and tracing their development over the years. (Schools Broadband Network only.) |
| Chanukah (December 20 - 28)
Also known has Hanukkah - a big Jewish festival that runs over eight nights during which time the candles of the menorah
(hanukiyah) are lit. It is customary also to play dreidel (like a
spinning top) and eat fried foods like potato latkes or doughnuts. Encyclopaedia Britannica lists the Jewish calendar. You won't recognise the months!
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| Winter Solstice(December 21/22)
This
is what is called the shortest day of the year. In fact it is the day
when the north pole is tilted away from the sun. Think about it. But
the day was also important to the ancient people - take a look at Newgrange. Encyclopaedia Britannica gives a simple explanation of when the seasons begin (Schools Broadband Network only). |
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Christmas Day (December 25)
This is one of the biggest days in the Christian calendar - the day which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Apart from its religious significance the day is also a major holiday around the world. Check out our Christmas theme page.
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St Stephen's Day (December 26)
St
Stephen was said to be the first Christian martyr. Here in Ireland it
is a day for 'hunting the wren' and it has many other traditions too.
In Britain the day is known as Boxing Day.
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Emperor's Birthday (December 28)
This is a big day in Japan and is a national holoday. There have been emperors in Japan for the past two thousand years - Encyclopaedia Britannica will give some good background information on Japan. This Folk Legends site might be useful for class ativities.
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Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1)
This
is an Afro-American holiday based on the traditional African festival
of the harvest of the first crops. The word comes from Swahili.
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Hogmanay (December 31)
It seems the term and the traditions associated with this Scottish festival go back to Viking
times. Underlying the festival is the notion to clear out all the
traces of the old year and welcome in the new year on a happy note. What do you know about the national dish of Scotland - haggis. See Encyclopaedia Britannica for a short description.
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