Inclusive Classroom Winter Holiday Decor - Winter Wonder Candyland - Sweet Treats from Around the World

As the winter holidays approach, many teachers face the challenge of finding inclusive classroom winter holiday decor and theme. It's easy to feel like you have to avoid all decorations to stay neutral, but that doesn’t have to be the case! You can celebrate the season in a way that honors a variety of traditions, making sure no one feels left out while still creating a warm, joyful classroom environment.

This year, I've chosen to decorate our classroom with the theme "Winter Wonder Candy Land Around the World." Instead of focusing on just one holiday, I’ve decided to feature sweet treats from different countries that are enjoyed during winter holiday celebrations worldwide. This approach allows us to celebrate a wide range of cultural traditions, from Germany's Advent to Mexico's Las Posadas to Sweeden's Lucia, without singling out any particular holiday. Plus, it keeps things fun and educational!

Finding a cohesive theme that works for all the winter holidays can be tricky. Many of us in the United States default to Christmas or Hanukkah, but it’s easy to overlook the diversity of celebrations around the world. By choosing a "Winter Wonder Candy Land" theme, I can steer clear of focusing on just one holiday, and instead bring in a variety of sweet treats that different cultures enjoy. For example, we can feature traditional holiday desserts like Panettone from Italy, Christmas Cake from Japan, or Lussekatter from Sweeden—each tied to a unique tradition and country.

To kick off the theme, I created these Watercolor Sweet Treats Prints that represent ten holiday treats from around the world. These prints serve as great talking points, allowing us to explore not only the treats themselves but also the countries they come from and their cultural significance. We'll even incorporate learning about the countries’ flags and geography. The best part? This theme extends beyond art and social studies! We can connect it to science by learning about the ingredients in these treats, math by measuring for a recipe, and writing by describing our favorite holiday foods as just a few examples. You can also find our accompanying Kawaii Holiday Sweet Treats from Around The World Coloring Book Pages here, and they have the same holiday sweets as the wall art to make it a lesson.

Candy-themed decorations are easy to find online (Amazon has a ton of options), and they don’t have to be specifically for Christmas. You can also make your own ornaments and sweet-themed crafts with your students! The goal is to create an inclusive, educational environment where students feel connected to the diverse ways people celebrate during the winter season.

So, this year, get creative! Use winter wonderland themes that bring everyone in the classroom together and celebrate the season’s sweetness—both literally and figuratively.

When it comes to decorating the inclusive classroom for holidays, here are things teachers should keep in mind:

By showcasing the many ways people celebrate the season, you allow students to learn about different cultures while
fostering an environment of respect and inclusion.
While it's great to have festive decorations, be mindful of symbols and imagery to avoid favoring one particular religion or holiday over others.
The holidays are a great opportunity to integrate educational content. Use decorations as a springboard for learning about geography, history, and cultural traditions.
Invite students to contribute to the decorations by sharing their own holiday traditions and cultural practices.
While the winter season is a time for celebration, some holidays have deep religious significance. It's important to approach these traditions with respect and avoid caricatures or stereotypes. Be sure your classroom decorations reflect the essence of each holiday in a way that is informative and culturally respectful.
Consider using materials like books, songs, and stories from different cultures that focus on winter celebrations.
Consider reaching out to families for input on how they celebrate the winter holidays. This can be a wonderful way to make sure that the classroom reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of your students.

Decorating your classroom for the winter season with a theme like "Holidays Around the World" can be a fantastic way to celebrate diversity and help students learn about different cultural practices. As long as the decorations are inclusive, educational, and respectful, they can create a positive, engaging, and welcoming environment for all students. Just remember to keep the focus on unity, learning, and respect for the various traditions that make up the global community!