As I shared in my previous article, I love anything to do with Christmas! From the twinkling lights and festive music to the vibrant atmosphere of Christmas markets and One-of-a-Kind shows; for me this season is truly magical. Baking cookies, building a gingerbread house that always collapses and decorating our home while listening to Christmas music makes the holiday season my most favourite time of the year, filling me with joy, excitement, and a sense of wonder that has remained since I was a little girl.

It has always been second nature to me to want to bring this festive feeling into my classroom, and to transmit this magic to my students. Over the years I have become increasingly aware of the diversity within our schools, and I’ve adapted my approach to ensure that all students can share in the magic of the season. I found that there are many ways to incorporate winter holiday themes in a way that is inclusive and engaging for everyone, whether you’re teaching in a special education setting or a general education classroom.

Here are some simple ideas that won’t strain your administrator’s budget when you seek funding for special projects!

Creating a Festive Classroom Atmosphere

One of the first steps in bringing the holiday spirit into your classroom is to create a festive atmosphere. This can be done through decorations, music, and other sensory elements. When choosing decorations, it’s important to consider the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of your students. Opt for more neutral winter themes like snowflakes, snowmen, and winter landscapes.

Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes

Material: Pipe cleaners, beads

Instructions: Cut pipe cleaners in half and connect 3 of them together in the shape of a star (6 branches in all). Ask your students to bead their snowflake using multiple colours. Once they are finished show them how to fold the ends to prevent the beads from sliding off.

Paper Strip Snowflakes

Material: strips of marbled paper, glittering stickers

Instructions: Give your students a minimum of 3 paper strips to decorate with different types of glittering stickers. Before their decorate them, ask them to put glue on the center of one strip.

Next, they will stick their second strip on top put not parallel to it. Once all the strips are glued together, they can start decorating them.

Pinecone Ornaments

Material: Pinecones, liquid tempera paint, glitter

Instruction: Paint pinecones festive colours and sprinkle them with glitter. Attach a ribbon for hanging if you would like.

Tiny Christmas Wreath

Material: Sprig of rosemary, cedar leaves, beads, liquid glue, mini wreath template

Instructions: Give your students a wreath template, sprig of rosemary, cedar leaves and beads. Have them glue these natural materials onto the wreath template. Adjust the size of the wreath according to your students skills. The smaller it is, the more difficult it will be.

Magic Model Snowman

Materials: Collect natural materials such as twigs, leaves, sticks, stones and grass, Magic Model or play dough, wood ornament, liquid paint, paintbrush.

Instructions: Give your students a wooden ornament and have them paint it. Let them fashion their snowman with the natural materials they collected.

Engaging Students with Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes

Here are some simple cookie recipes that use common ingredients, making them easy to prepare for holiday celebrations:

Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

•  1 cup unsalted butter, softened
•  3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
•  2⁄3 cup cocoa powder
•  2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
•  Crushed peppermint candies (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in cocoa powder and flour until combined.
4. Shape into balls and place on a baking sheet; flatten slightly.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes; sprinkle with crushed peppermint while warm.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

•  2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
•  ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
•  ¾ cup granulated sugar
•  1 large egg
•  2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•  ½ teaspoon baking powder
•  Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
4. Roll out the dough to about ¼  inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden.

  Easy M&M Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups M&M’s (red and green for Christmas)

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy; add egg and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour until just combined; fold in M&M’s.
4. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for about 10 minutes.

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity

As you plan your winter holiday activities, it’s important to keep in mind the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of your students. While Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday, not all students may celebrate it. To create an inclusive atmosphere, consider incorporating elements of other winter holidays as well, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali. I learnt to avoid putting too much emphasis on any one holiday or tradition.

With a little creativity and planning, you can bring the magic of the winter holidays into your classroom in a way that is inclusive, engaging, and educational for all of your students. Whether you’re creating festive decorations, engaging in winter-themed activities, or simply taking time to celebrate the diversity of the season, your efforts will help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that your students will remember for years to come.