Christmas Discussion Prompts For Your Children

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated by people all over the world and many but not all religions. While it originated as a celebration of the birth of Christ, in the Western World it is probably equally famous for the man in the red suit. From the beginning of November, shops fill with Christmas gifts, high streets are decorated and we are bombarded with Christmas television programmes and music. It is the same in Spider Webdon.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Traditions differ across cultures and even families. But everything started somewhere. For some Christmas trees are erected at the beginning of Advent, and for others, on Christmas Eve. The tradition of putting up trees started in Germany, and became popular in in England in 1841 when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, brought a Christmas tree over from Germany and put it up in Windsor Castle.

So probe what are the differences in traditions across cultures and families, and ask children why they think this is? Then probe the provenance of those traditions?

What are your favourite things about Christmas?

For children, the most likely answer may well be the receiving of presents, the putting up of the Christmas tree or visit to see Santa Claus. Or perhaps participating in the school nativity play or writing or singing carols? Generate a long list of views and vote on what’s favourite.

But as well as receiving Christmas is also a time of giving. For every receiver there is also a giver. As well as giving presents, many also give to charities, perhaps indirectly via cards or directly via donations, and to those in need such as the homeless or those in shelters.

So probe awareness of the feelings of others at this time too. In Spid the Spider Helps Out at Spidmas he is initially ignorant of the feelings of what he thinks is a burglar up his chimney. Though his views change as he gets to know the burglar.

Do you celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

In the UK, the main celebration is the Christmas Day meal, though in Germany this takes place on Christmas Eve, when presents are also given. Orthodox Christians also celebrate Christmas in January on 6-7 January.

So why do some people celebrate in December and some in January? The reason is due to different calendars, the Gregory vs Julian calendars.

Religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism don’t recognise Christmas and Easter as they are ancient Christian festivals.