Do you teach about different holiday traditions around the world? I love giving a glimpse of how other people celebrate the holidays in different countries. This week, we’re reading Lucia Morning in Sweden, by Ewa Rydaker.

The book tells the story of Santa Lucia through the eyes of three children in modern-day Sweden. It describes their giddy activities, brought to life in colorful, full-page illustrations, and also provides sheet music, recipes, and sewing patterns for the costumes traditionally worn by children on this day, when many Swedish people celebrate the legacy of Lucia and the coming of the light with coffee, saffron buns, ginger snaps, and wonderful singing. One of the most beloved and celebrated traditions of the Swedish people, Lucia Day also signifies that the Christmas holiday is getting close.

The book follows the family throughout their day celebrating Lucia Day. Their special treats that are enjoyed this day are ginger snaps and Lucia buns so for our snack this week, we’ll be enjoying ginger snaps.

Ingredients

You’ll need 1-2 bags/ containers of ginger snap cookies. My favorite place to buy them from is Trader Joes, they’re so yummy!

While the students are enjoying their snack, I made a free printable for them to work on. They will get to draw and write about something they learned about Lucia Day.

You can download the free printable from my teacherspayteachers store below.

If you’re looking for another fun way to incorporate holidays around the world in the classroom, one of our favorite activities is our Holidays Around the World Bingo.