Celebrate a world of beliefs by teaching through sweets. December holidays include Christian Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah, Hindu Pancha Ganapati (or Winter Solstice) and Buddhist Bodhi Day among the celebrations. Here are some ideas to spread good cheer and great lessons.
1. Assign your students a December holiday and have them do some research on the origins of its traditions. (For example, Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of the Buddha and is named after the tree under which he vowed to not move until he achieved it.)
2. Have students write these kinds of facts on square, white stickers to be used as labels for goody bags.
3. Then, get baking! Bake Bodhi Tree cookies to explain the history of the Buddhist tradition. Make gingerbread to tell the story of its Germanic roots and its origins from the 11th century spice trade. Fashion chocolate gelt coins to capture the history of the independence of Judea. And prepare sesame crisps, a traditional Indian treat, to shed light on the five-day Hindu festival that marks a new beginning in the religion.
4. Wrap baked goods in decorative paper or small bags and seal the sweets with the handwritten stickers.
5. You can bake these to order or sell them at dances, craft fairs and other local events around the community. Even setting up your bake sale table at a busy shopping center is sure to attract good will of the season.