Winter Holiday Activities

The winter holiday season, encompassing Christmas, Hanukkah, and other cultural celebrations, is a time of joy, reflection, and giving. For school counselors, it presents a wonderful opportunity to engage students in activities that celebrate diversity, promote kindness, and support emotional well-being. Below are creative and impactful holiday-themed activities that align with the responsibilities of school counselors.

Holiday Inclusion Projects

The winter season is celebrated differently across cultures and families. Emphasizing inclusivity can help students learn about and appreciate diverse traditions:

• Cultural Show-and-Tell: Encourage students to share their family’s holiday traditions or symbols in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Holiday Around the World: Create a bulletin board or host a school-wide event showcasing winter celebrations like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and others.
• Story Time: Read age-appropriate stories about various holidays to highlight their significance and values.

Acts of Kindness Campaigns

The season of giving is a perfect time to promote kindness and empathy. Organize initiatives that encourage students to give back to their community:

• Kindness Calendars: Create a calendar with daily acts of kindness for students to complete during December.
• Community Service Projects: Partner with local organizations for toy drives, food donations, or blanket collections.
• Peer-to-Peer Gratitude: Set up a station where students can write kind notes or thank-you cards to classmates, teachers, or staff.

Coping with Holiday Stress Workshops

For some students, the holidays can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness due to family challenges, grief, or financial difficulties. Provide workshops and support to help students navigate these emotions:

• Stress Relief Strategies: Teach mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, and journaling as tools to manage stress.
• Grief Counseling Groups: Offer a safe space for students coping with loss to share their feelings and find support.
• Resource Distribution: Share information about local programs offering holiday assistance for families in need.

Holiday Art and Creativity Activities

Art provides a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and connection. Plan engaging holiday-themed projects:

• Seasonal Gratitude Trees: Similar to Thanksgiving gratitude trees, students can write what they’re thankful for or their holiday wishes on ornaments to hang on a tree.
• Holiday Collages: Have students create collages depicting what the holidays mean to them.
• Winter Murals: Collaborate with students to design a mural representing different winter holidays and values like kindness, unity, and gratitude.

Group Counseling with Holiday Themes

Small group counseling sessions can incorporate holiday themes to build social skills and emotional awareness:

• Gift of Friendship: Focus on activities that emphasize teamwork and building positive relationships.
• Holiday Story Circles: Use stories with moral lessons to spark discussions about values like generosity and kindness.
• New Year’s Resolutions: Encourage students to set personal goals for the upcoming year, fostering self-reflection and growth.

Celebrating Without Pressure

Not all students celebrate the winter holidays, and some may feel excluded or uncomfortable. Create activities that are inclusive and secular:

• Winter Wishes: Ask students to write or draw their hopes for the winter season without focusing on specific holidays.
• Seasonal Kindness Trees: Replace traditional holiday imagery with symbols of kindness, unity, and winter themes.
• Winter Crafts: Plan neutral activities like snowflake-making, winter-themed coloring pages, or baking projects.

Supporting Families During the Holidays



Extend your role beyond students by supporting families during the winter season:

• Parent Workshops: Offer sessions on managing holiday stress, creating low-cost holiday traditions, or navigating grief during the holidays.
• Holiday Resources: Distribute information about local charities, food banks, and gift assistance programs.
• Community Connections: Partner with local businesses or organizations to provide additional support for families in need.

Final Thoughts

The winter holidays are a time to celebrate, connect, and reflect. By implementing inclusive and meaningful activities, school counselors can foster a sense of belonging and support within the school community. These initiatives not only enhance students’ understanding of diverse traditions but also promote kindness, empathy, and emotional resilience during a season that can be both joyous and challenging.