Celebrate the World: Christmas, Lunar New Year, and First Peoples Traditions!

Families all around the world celebrate in special ways. You will learn about three wonderful celebrations: Christmas, Lunar New Year, and First Peoples traditions. Each one is unique and beautiful! You can also explore Family Celebrations to learn more about how your own family celebrates.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Many families gather to share gifts and spend time together.

You can see green Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments. Families place a star on the very top of the tree. Children hang stockings by the fireplace, hoping for treats and small gifts inside!

Families also sing special songs called carols. A big part of Christmas is eating a special dinner together, often with turkey. Santa Claus is known for wearing a bright red suit and bringing gifts to children.

Lunar New Year begins on the first new moon of the new year. It lasts for 15 days! Red is the special colour of Lunar New Year because it brings good luck and happiness.

You will see a dragon dance, where people carry a long dragon to bring good luck. Fireworks light up the sky to scare away bad luck and welcome a happy new year. Families cook and share special traditional foods like dumplings.

Children receive red envelopes filled with money as gifts for good luck and blessings. Learn more about Cultural Festivals to discover even more celebrations like Lunar New Year.

First Peoples in Canada have many important and meaningful traditions. Drums are used in ceremonies and gatherings to share stories and honour traditions. You will hear drumming at special events and celebrations.

A potlatch is a special First Peoples gathering where food, gifts, and stories are shared with the community. At a powwow, dancers wear regalia, which are special colourful garments and accessories that are handmade and have deep cultural meaning.

Totem poles are carved by First Peoples to tell the stories, history, and traditions of their families and communities. Elders are respected members of First Peoples communities who share important stories, traditions, and knowledge at gatherings. Eagle feathers are sacred and used in ceremonies. Canoes hold special meaning in water ceremonies. You can learn more about First Peoples Oral Histories to understand how stories are passed down.

Christmas: Christmas is a celebration on December 25. You and your family may gather, give gifts, and sing carols.

Carol: A carol is a special song that people sing during the Christmas season.

Stocking: A stocking is a large sock that children hang up at Christmas, hoping it will be filled with treats and small gifts.

Lunar New Year: Lunar New Year is a celebration that begins on the first new moon of the new year and lasts for 15 days.

Red Envelope: A red envelope is a special gift given during Lunar New Year. It has money inside to bring good luck and blessings.

Dragon Dance: The dragon dance is a tradition at Lunar New Year where people carry and dance with a long dragon to bring good luck.

Fireworks: Fireworks are colourful lights that go up in the sky during Lunar New Year to scare away bad luck.

Dumplings: Dumplings are a special food eaten during Lunar New Year celebrations.

First Peoples: First Peoples are the original people of Canada who have their own special traditions, stories, and celebrations.

Drum: A drum is an important instrument used by First Peoples in ceremonies and gatherings to share stories and honour traditions.

Potlatch: A potlatch is a special First Peoples celebration where food, gifts, and stories are shared with the community.

Powwow: A powwow is a First Peoples gathering where people come together to dance, drum, and celebrate their culture.

Regalia: Regalia are the special, colourful garments and accessories worn by First Peoples dancers at a powwow. They are handmade and have deep cultural meaning.

Totem Pole: A totem pole is a tall carved pole made by First Peoples that tells the stories, history, and traditions of their families and communities.

Elder: An elder is a respected member of a First Peoples community who shares important stories, traditions, and knowledge with others.

Eagle Feather: An eagle feather is a sacred feather used in First Peoples ceremonies and traditions.

Canoe: A canoe is a special boat that holds deep meaning in First Peoples water ceremonies and cultural traditions.

Lion Dance: The lion dance is done during Lunar New Year to scare away bad luck and bring good fortune.

You can draw a picture of your favourite celebration. Think about what foods, colours, and special things your family does! You can also explore Cultural Foods and Dress to see what special foods and clothing different cultures use in their celebrations.

Ask a family member or elder to tell you a story about a celebration from your family. Listening to stories is a wonderful way to learn about your personal and family history, just like First Peoples do through storytelling.

You already know that families are special and that everyone has their own history. This topic builds on ideas from Family Stories and Family Origins, which help you understand where your family comes from and the stories they share.

You can also connect what you learn here to Immigration Stories, which shows how families from different places bring their celebrations and traditions with them.

Learning about global cultural celebrations connects to many other exciting topics! Here is how they all fit together:

You can explore Cultural Festivals to discover even more celebrations from around the world. You will also enjoy learning about Family Celebrations to see how your own family's traditions are special and unique.

To understand how First Peoples share their history through stories, visit First Peoples Oral Histories. You can learn about families who moved to new places by reading about Immigration Stories.

You will also find connections in Cultural Characteristics: Language, Family Origins, Food and Dress and Cultural Foods and Dress, which show how food and clothing are part of celebrations. Learning about Family Origins helps you understand where celebration traditions come from, and Family Stories shows how families pass traditions down through generations. You can also compare old and new traditions with Then and Now Comparisons.

After this topic, you will be ready to explore Community Celebrations and Events, Cultural Celebrations, Festivals, Holidays and Events, and Cultural Customs and Traditions. You will also learn about Cultural Foods and Traditional Dress Across Societies, First Peoples History, First Peoples Ways of Life, Sharing Between Cultures, and Ways People Express Culture.