HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAIRY HANUKKAH TOO!
The Big Hairy Education Ape Spreads Holiday Cheer!
Ah, December! The time of year when the air turns crisp, the lights
twinkle, and everyone gets a little... well, hairy. At least, that’s
how it goes in the world of the Big Hairy Education Ape! This
festive season, our furry friend has swung down from the treetops of
academia to wish everyone a Merry Hairy Christmas, a Hairy Hanukkah,
and an all-around Happy Hairy Holidays!
Now, you might be asking yourself, “Why hairy?” Well, why not? The
Big Hairy Education Ape believes that holidays are like
bananas—better when shared and a little fuzzy around the edges.
Plus, let’s face it, we could all use a little extra warmth in
December, and nothing says warmth like a luxurious coat of
metaphorical (or literal) fur.
Why Do We Say "Happy Holidays"?
Some people think “Happy Holidays” is just a convenient way to cover
all the festive bases. But according to the Big Hairy Education Ape,
it’s also a way to remind us that December is a jungle of
celebrations! Whether you're lighting a menorah, decorating a tree,
or simply eating your body weight in gingerbread cookies, December
is about coming together. And let’s be honest—when you’ve got as
much hair as the Big Hairy Education Ape, every day feels like a
celebration. (Except during shedding season. That’s just chaos.)
A Very Hairy Peace to All
The Big Hairy Education Ape also wants to remind everyone that the
holidays are about more than just gifts and glitter. They’re about
peace. A hairy peace. What’s a hairy peace, you ask? It’s the kind
of peace that wraps you up like a cozy fur coat on a cold winter’s
night. The kind of peace that makes you want to sit by the fire with
your loved ones and maybe toss them an extra banana or two.
So this holiday season, let’s channel our inner apes and spread some
hairy joy. Hug your friends, laugh with your family, and if you see
someone who looks like they need a little extra cheer, toss them a
metaphorical banana (or maybe a real one—potassium is important).
From the Big Hairy Education Ape to you: Merry Hairy Christmas,
Happy Hairy Hanukkah, and the hairiest of holidays to all! May your
days be merry, bright, and just a little bit fuzzy. 🐵🎄🕎
HAPPY HAIRY HOLIDAYS
An overview of 10 different winter celebrations around the world,
including Boxing Day, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah,
Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, St. Lucia Day, Three Kings Day, and Winter
Solstice.
- Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on December 26th in the UK and former
British colonies, with origins in giving gifts and charitable donations to
servants and the less fortunate.
- Chinese New Year is celebrated based on the traditional Chinese calendar,
with each new year marked by a different zodiac animal. It is a time for
family gatherings, honoring ancestors, and eating traditional
dishes.
- Christmas is a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, but has also
become a secular family holiday observed by both Christians and
non-Christians. It involves decorating trees, sharing meals, waiting for
Santa, and exchanging gifts.
- Diwali is a five-day festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and
Jains, commemorating the triumph of good over evil and light over
darkness.
- Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the
rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
- Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American festival that celebrates
community, family, and culture, with seven principles and
symbols.
- Las Posadas is a Christmas tradition in Mexico celebrating the nine-day
journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, reenacted through processions and
celebrations.
- St. Lucia Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia and
Italy, commemorating the early-4th-century virgin martyr St.
Lucy.
- Three Kings Day celebrates the biblical story of the Three Kings visiting
baby Jesus, celebrated on January 6th.
- The Winter Solstice marks the official start of winter, with ancient
pagan celebrations of the Earth's rebirth and renewal.
A Look Around the World | Winter Celebrations | McCormick Center for Early
Childhood Leadership
https://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/library/winter-celebrations/
