Don’t discount traditions

This time of year is so magical for elementary students and teachers. The anticipation of the upcoming holidays makes the month of December fly by. There are many holiday traditions that keep this season magical for children, both at school and at home. These traditions help students build a level of anticipation and enthusiasm that are unparalleled any other time of the year. Instead of contributing to the overabundance of material possessions that children own (and that seem to own children), focus this year on creating fun and memorable holiday activities together.

One tradition we celebrate at our school is our annual Lantern Walk. As the dark days of winter encroach upon us, we celebrate the importance of each of us shining forth our inner lights. In the weeks building up to the Lantern Walk, the students busily create their own lanterns. Each grade’s lanterns are different — some are created with colored tissue paper carefully glued to a balloon, which is then popped in order to create a hollowed-out space, while others cover glass jars with fall leaves and melted crayons pressed between waxed paper. On the morning of our Lantern Walk, students walk with their classes through the moonlit and snow-covered paths, singing songs in both German and English. What a beautiful and meaningful memory for children to see the power of one little light. I’ve heard many parents say they continue this tradition at home with their families over the holidays.

Another tradition we celebrate is the annual visit of St. Nicholas, the pre-cursor of Santa Claus, every Dec. 6. Instead of the jolly, chubby, red-suited man who says “ho, ho, ho,” this St. Nicholas wears a beautiful robe and head covering and carries a large staff and beautiful gold book. As he arrives in each classroom, students fall silent as they anticipate the positive things he is about to say to them in front of their peers. He calls each individual’s name and reads some wonderful attributes about each child, in addition to something that he would like to see them continue to strive for. It is so empowering for children to hear these compliments that are specific for them, especially since it’s in front of their classmates.

Of course, the annual holiday concert students have spent weeks preparing for is also a special holiday tradition. Students wear their finest as they present their gifts of music to their audience, playing concert pieces on violins, violas, cellos or bass. This year, our staff is opening the concert with a beautiful choral piece in four-part harmony.

There are many other traditions individual teachers celebrate with their students. My teaching partner and I are hosting a Homemade Holiday Family Night for our first-graders and their families this Friday night. Students and their families will rotate through various stations as they make holiday cards, ornaments and gifts, string popcorn and cranberry garland, listen to carols and have fun building holiday memories with their classmates and families.

This is but a sampling of the traditions celebrated in classrooms or schools, but many families have special traditions they have created over the years, building wonderful memories with their children. Some families make it a priority to go caroling through their own neighborhoods or at senior facilities. Others set aside a family night of decorating gingerbread houses together. Some families make an annual trek into the woods on snowshoes to select a Christmas tree, followed by a family tree-decorating evening. Many families spend time baking homemade goodies together to share with friends and neighbors. Another meaningful family tradition is making and lighting an advent wreath together, followed by special lighting ceremonies, complete with every family member reading or reciting a special poem or sentiment.

The next full moon is Dec. 17, so I know that some families like to plan a special cross-country ski or snowshoe evening, followed by hot chocolate with peppermint. This would be a perfect evening to read the award-winning children’s picture book “Owl Moon,” by Jane Yolen, before heading into the woods on a moonlit winter evening. Other family traditions involve special winter solstice celebrations, which falls on Dec. 21 this year. They freeze ice luminaries, often with food coloring or spruce cones or small spruce branches frozen into the ice, to light the pathway to their houses.

This holiday, continue to build on your own traditions that involve time together, appreciation for nature or creativity and thoughtfulness of others. These memories will last much longer than most materialistic gifts, and they’re much less expensive, too!

Diana Sloan-Basner is an elementary teacher at Birchtree Charter School. She loves to create holiday gifts and memories with children.