The Christmas Season Through the Eyes of the Children
By Laurel E. Anderson
Kanata Kourier Standard Dec 24/04
Christmas is for kids’ right? And so with that in mind I headed out for some
seriously entertaining reporting about what the holidays mean to a typical (if
there is such a thing) kindergartner. I wanted to find out what excites the kids
during this special time of year and also to let them share their holiday
traditions and beliefs. And with that in mind I headed to St. Anne Catholic
School in Emerald Meadows, on an early December morning to visit with some
junior and senior kindergartners that I was sure would set me straight about all
things Christmas.
Entering the classroom reminded me of how much fun it is to be young as I
observed these free spirits, eager to share their knowledge and thoughts on
anything and everything with Christmas being no exception.
I started out by reading a Christmas story to the junior kindergarten class and
it was all about the traditions and smells of Christmas time at a bear’s house.
It was a fun story full of reminders of what makes the holidays special for
young ones. Along with the story, both Madame De* junior kindergarten class and
Mrs. McKinnon’s junior and senior class, were generous in sharing their advent
celebration with me as they lit two candles around the advent wreath to signify
the second Sunday of advent. They sang a beautiful song as the candles lit up
the wreath and ended things with a prayer.
You see it’s not always easy or straightforward to talk about the holidays.
Christmas time means different things for different people and there are many
different traditions, religions and ways to celebrate the holiday. And when I
was talking with the kids in the classroom, I tried to balance the historic and
religious significance of Christmas with the fun and child-like part. So, if you
want to be up to date on a kid’s perspective of the holiday season, read on.
I asked the kids what Christmas is and what it means. Ben offered that it was
Jesus’ birthday and Molly added that Jesus has a fairy (angel). Sawyer shared
that it was Jesus’ birthday too while senior kindergartner Ryan let me know that
Jesus was born in a farm stable. Bethany knew that Jesus had parents and that
their names were Mary and Joseph and Gregory wanted me to know that Jesus
currently lives in the sky. Already I had lots of information about Christmas
and believe me when I say that’s just the beginning. There’s lots more where
that came from.
Christmas is a holiday etched in tradition and when I asked my young audience to
share some of theirs, the hands went up fast. Izabella told me that she goes to
church during the holidays and receives a little Santa bags with treats and Zach
paints wooden decorations with his family. Dario told me that cooking is a
holiday tradition at his house while Jacob shared that making (decorating) his
tree was his favourite tradition. At Olivia’s house they make candy. I know
where I’m going for some holiday treats!
I took a tally and came to the conclusion that most kids get a fresh Christmas
tree to decorate at home and almost all of them said that they put a star or an
angel on the tree, except for Erika who said that she would put Snow White on
her treetop. Cameron confided in the group that he gets his tree from near the
fence somewhere while Bailey heads to the market with his family to pick out a
special tree.
Asking these pre-grade one’s about their holiday feast showed evidence of highly
sophisticated palates. Straightforward and to the point like most men, Bailey
mentioned liking the meat and when I asked what part of the bird he preferred he
just said, “the meat, just the meat.” I told the kids that I loved the stuffing
and a few nodded their heads in agreement while Sawyer mentioned that he likes
the mashed potatoes.
Favourite Christmas songs were Santa Claus is Coming to Town for Marek and Liam,
O Holy Night for Madame D and from a girl who likes to rock, Marion mentioned
Jingle Bell Rock as a top pick. Of course, there were a few votes for our
favourite reindeer and his glowing nose as well. As for movies, The Grinch was
mentioned the most along with a few Santa movies and Frosty The Snowman while
Cameron mixed things up a bit with his fave pick, Grandma Got Run Over by A
Reindeer (I t thought this was only a song so I must be really out of the loop).
I asked about refreshments for Santa and his reindeer on his busiest workday of
the year and it was obvious what the popular choice of snack was in this group.
Brynn said that Santa gets milk and cookies, a sentiment repeated by several of
the kids including Kristen, Emily and Ethan. Molly leaves sugar for the reindeer
while Ben leaves them apples.
Listening to the kids share their holiday traditions reminded me of some of my
own. Opening one gift on Christmas Eve, always a pair of pj’s. Going to midnight
mass and fighting to stay awake, singing Oh Christmas Tree around the tree,
baking shortbread, making snow angels and leaving Santa a cold bottle of beer.
These are holiday memories that give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. Why don’t
you take a walk down memory lane and bring a little bit of the kid back in
yourself for the holidays? Happy warm and fuzzy!
Laurel is a freelance writer and regular contributor to the Kourier Standard who
hopes she’s on Santa’s good girl list.