fun
facts:
kwanzaa
fun
facts:
hanukkah
fun
facts:
different cultures
and their holiday celebrations
By Maddy Domenick • mdomenick@nwadg.com
Christmas Day, December 25, is a religious holiday among Christians
celebrating the birth of Jesus. Families and friends gather around for
gift-giving traditions, feasting, and preparing for Santa Claus.
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. The Hebrew word for
Hanukkah means "dedication." Every year for eight days in November or
December the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah by placing eight
candles in a special candlestick called a Menorah. The candles are lit
one at a time on each of the eight evenings. The Menorah is placed on a
windowsill for people to see when they walk by.
• The Menorah candles burn for at least half an hour after sunset.
• Traditional Hanukkah food is fried in olive oil to represent the miracle of the
burning oil lamp.
• The dreidel is a toy that children play with during Hanukkah and each side has a
letter that has a special meaning to the Hebrew religion.
Christmas day
• The first Christmas tree was created out of goose feathers that were dyed
green.
• The song "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song.
• A candy maker in Indiana invented Candy Canes and wanted to share the name of Jesus around the world.
• In the 18th century Christmas trees began being decorated with candles.
Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration honoring the African-American
culture. The holiday begins on December 26th and lasts until January
1st. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a principle.
These principles include Unity, Self-determination, Work and
Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
• Kwanzaa celebrations include African dances, drums, storytelling and
poetry.
• The Kwanzaa colors are black, red, and green.
• Kwanzaa started in 1966 to celebrate and honor African American culture.
Off icialKidsMag.com • december 2018 • 37
