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| Photo: flickriver.com |
One of the things I enjoy most at holiday time are listening to and talking about the many different customs, legends and stories from around the world. In my Italian-American culture, we always had the manger, the stories of Santa as well as the story of La Befana. In my fiance's Ukranian culture, there is Russian Christmas (January 6) and the legend of the Christmas Spider.
Storytelling is not a passive activity: words provide input and challenge us to create detailed imagery that goes along with them. The re-telling of our stories, over and over helps us identify and form an inner bond with the characters and lock in on the details and messages. This inner connection has a stabilizing effect and ultimately is what helps us learn about & form more healthy relationships with ourselves and with other people. This is a vital activity for children to engage in-both as the audience and as the storyteller, that will teach them a variety of inner and outer skills that they will carry with them for life.
Below are a few of my favorites. I've also included a links for you to learn about customs from around the world. What are some of the stories & customs-both old & new- that you & your family honor?
The Legend of The Christmas Spiders
Once upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year.... The day on which the Christmas Angel came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.
T'was the Christmas eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christmas Angel's visit. The oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold.
Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room... so the crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw every one of the pretty things. At last they satisfied themselves completely of the Christmas tree beauty.
But alas!! Everywhere they went they had left their webs, and when the little Christmas Angel came to bless the house he saw the webs. He loved the little spiders, for they were God's creatures too, but he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for the little children, wouldn't feel the same, so He touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling, shimmering, silver and gold!
Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our Christmas trees, and according to the legend, it has been a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the tree.
Holiday Games
(Can be adapted to any holiday celebration.)
Elf Whisperers
The more who play this game, the merrier. You will need 6-8 (or more) players to sit in a circle on the floor, around a table or in seats around a room. The first player writes a message about Christmas. At least 1-3 sentences. S/he then places this message in n an envelope and set it aside. S/he then whispers the message to 2nd person, who whispers it to the 3rd, and so on until every person has whispered the message. The final person has to relay the message out loud. Check envelope to see if the message is the same. This ends the round. Now, the person who relayed the message writes a new message, places it in an envelope and play continues.
As many players as you like can play this game, in small groups or pairs. Hide some holiday treasures, like small wrapped gifts, ornaments, small tins of cookies, etc. indoors or out. Then make up a series of clues, to give the teams, one at a time. This could be "Go to the place where words are spoken." (telephone) or "Go to the . At this place there is a clue for the next clue and so on until the treasure is found.
Family Story Telling
Either on Christmas Eve, or a few days before have a family story reading. Invite grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, etc. Take turns reading or telling at least one favorite poem, personal or traditional story or a favorite quote or passage from the bible.
Capture the Star
In Alaska people play a Christmas game where they dress up as the Three Kings and carry a star from house to house singing carols. Other children dress up as Herod's soldiers and try to capture the star. This game can be modified to be played in the house or yard. Instead of going door-to-door, have the players (Three Kings) go from tree to tree or room to room.
Pass the Present
Purchase a few small gifts & wrap them up (preferable one for each player). Seat at least 5-6 people in a circle. Select one person to play some holiday music on a CD player, and as the music is playing, players in the circle pass the package. The person working the music randomly stops the music and the person with the present when the music stops wins the present. Play continues until all the gifts have been given out.
The 12 Days of Christmas Game: (See our recent blog post here)
Related Links:
Listen to 5 Christmas Stories (Narrated by Yours Truly) Here!!
Yes, Virginia, There is A Santa Clause
A Cup of Christmas Tea
How to say "Merry Christmas" in Every Language
Ukrainian Christmas Customs
Spanish Christmas Customs
Kwanza
Hanukkah
Three Kings Day
The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry)
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