Introduction
December is a month full of holidays. Groups ranging from Germanic tribes to the Roman populace celebrated mid-winter festivals during our month of December. Most of them are linked to the winter solstice in some way, especially in the northern hemisphere. This is because on that day, because of the tilt of the earth’s axis, the daytime hours are at their shortest in the northern hemisphere, and the nighttime hours are at their longest. (In the southern hemisphere, it is the other way around.) And this is the reason that most wintertime seasonal holiday traditions have their roots in the northern hemisphere. December is a month with many holidays reflecting diverse cultures and ethnicities. How much do you know about the holiday traditions celebrated by people from DIFFERENT cultures?

Project

You will work in a small group to learn about a winter holiday celebration that may be unfamiliar to you. After researching your assigned holiday, you and your group will create a scrapbook to teach others about your holiday, using the information you’ve gathered. Additionally, you will decorate an area of the classroom with symbols and representations of your holiday.

Task 1- Research

Research a winter holiday celebration to find the answers to the following questions:

1.     What is the background and history of the holiday?

2.    What people or groups were important to this holiday?

3.    Where and when did the events leading to the holiday take place?

4.    Locate a map that shows where the holiday originated.

5.    Why is it celebrated?

6.    How long does it last?

7.    Are there any special activities or dress for the occasion?

8.    What is the "traditional" holiday feast? What foods do people eat at this time? Find some recipes.

9.    What are the customs, rituals, and traditions of this holiday?

10.  What symbols and decorations represent this holiday?

11.  What songs are associated with this holiday?

Task 2- Create a Holiday Scrapbook

Create a scrapbook to teach others about your holiday, using the information you’ve gathered.

On the first page, write a background article such as "What Is Hanukkah?," with the history of the holiday. Provide important facts about the holiday, such as when and why it is celebrated. Include the holiday name, date of the holiday, place of the tradition or holiday. Then create 4-5 pages in your scrapbook that illustrate the traditions, customs, history, rituals, people, symbols, etc. that are a part of the holiday.  

·         Include drawings, pictures, holiday songs, games, cards, recipes, symbols, traditions, etc.

·         Create other items such as cards and letters or other Holiday mementos you want to include in your Christmas scrapbook pages. Other details, such as funny or touching incidents that occurred during the Holidays would also add a personal touch to your scrapbook.

·         Add captions for each picture or object you include.

·         Include inspirational quotes or poetry about the holiday as well.

Color or decorate the pages with colors or symbols of the holiday.