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Winter holiday resources

Recommendations from the UUA's Lifespan Faith Development staff.
By Staff Writer
11.28.05

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People with evergreen garland

(Robert Neubecker)

Looking for help celebrating the winter holidays with your family, Unitarian Universalist-style?

Barbara Gifford and Tracey L. Hurd, who develop programs for children and families for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations's Lifespan Faith Development department, identified a variety of resources you can use to celebrate the winter holidays at home:
General Resources

"Winter: A Garden of Activities for Family and Fellowship": Includes Christmas, Hanukkah, Posada, Saint Lucia Day, Advent, New Year, Kwanzaa, and Yuletide celebrations. (Connections, Church of the Larger Fellowship)

Advent

"Celebrate Advent." By Betsy William. (Unitarian Universalist Family Network) [This resource is no longer maintained, but we have linked to an archival copy. —Eds.]

Hanukkah

"What Is Hanukkah?": Includes a driedel pattern and activity. By Betty Jo Middleton. (Between Sundays: Answering Kids' Questions, Church of the Larger Fellowship)

Winter Solstice

"Sharing Inner Gifts: A Family Celebration for Solstice," adapted by Betsy Williams (Connections, Church of the Larger Fellowship)

Christmas

"Why Do We Go to Church on Christmas Eve?": Telling UU kids the story of Jesus' birth. By Betty Jo Middleton. (Between Sundays: Answering Kids' Questions, Church of the Larger Fellowship)

"Inviting Santa to Your House": Should you keep this joyous story alive for your children? By Mimi Doe. (Beliefnet.com)

New Year's Day

"January: A Fresh Start": Six ways to create family harmony this year. By Mimi Doe. (Beliefnet.com)

Celebrating instead of consuming

"The Gift of Time": We need to claim time as our most central, most precious, family value. By Tracey L. Hurd. (UUA Lifespan Faith Development) [This resource is no longer maintained, but we have linked to an archival copy. —Eds.]

"Simplify the Holidays": Can money buy what matters this holiday? (Center for the New American Dream)

For links to books with tips for simplified and meaningful family celebrations, see the sidebar.

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