The holiday season is a time for gathering, giving thanks, and celebrating the traditions that bring us together. From Thanksgiving dinners to Christmas morning rituals, these moments are deeply personal — but they also offer an opportunity to reflect on how we can make our celebrations more inclusive and meaningful.
As we approach the holidays, let’s explore ways to embrace gratitude and diversity, creating traditions that honor and reflect the beauty of the world’s many cultures.
1. Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude and Connection
Thanksgiving is a time to pause and appreciate the people and blessings in our lives. It’s also a moment to acknowledge the rich diversity that makes our communities stronger. Incorporating cultural elements into your Thanksgiving celebration can be a powerful way to honor the heritage of everyone at your table.
Ideas for an Inclusive Thanksgiving Celebration:
Share stories or traditions from different cultures during dinner, such as Indigenous Thanksgiving practices or gratitude rituals from around the world.
Introduce cultural dishes to your meal — whether it’s an Ethiopian stew, tamales, or a traditional Native American dish, food can be a way to celebrate diversity.
Create a “thankfulness jar” where guests write down what they’re grateful for, with prompts that highlight different cultural or personal perspectives.
By weaving these elements into your celebration, Thanksgiving becomes not just a reflection of gratitude but also a celebration of unity and inclusivity.
2. The Meaning of Representation During the Holidays
Christmas traditions often include symbols that hold deep emotional and cultural significance. Nativity scenes, for example, are a cherished part of many families’ holiday decor. But what happens when these symbols don’t reflect the diversity of the people celebrating? Representation in holiday traditions can make all the difference, allowing everyone to feel seen and valued.
One of our customers shared a moving story about how the Black Nativity Set brought inclusivity to their family celebrations:
“I come from a diverse family and was excited to see a nativity set featuring dark-skinned characters. I have several nieces and nephews who were adopted from Ethiopia, and I plan to gift this to a nephew who will be joining us for Christmas this year. I know it is something he will enjoy displaying in his apartment.”
This story reminds us that holiday traditions have the power to create connections across generations and cultures. Choosing decor that reflects the diversity of your family and community is a meaningful way to honor their identities and make the holidays more inclusive.
3. Practical Ways to Embrace Diversity in Holiday Traditions
Incorporating diversity into your holiday traditions doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some ideas to get started:
Celebrate Cultural Holidays:
Learn about other cultural celebrations that take place during this season, such as Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, or Hanukkah, and find ways to incorporate their themes into your festivities.
Support Businesses That Celebrate Diversity:
Seek out gifts and decorations that reflect inclusivity, like the Black Nativity Set, and support small businesses or creators who prioritize diversity in their designs.
Explore Inclusive Reading and Storytelling:
Books can be a wonderful way to introduce inclusive perspectives to your family’s holiday traditions. Here are a few recommendations:
The First Christmas: A Nativity Story for Kids by Janice D. Green (available in diverse editions).
Dreams of My Ancestors: A Kwanzaa Story by Tammy Sutton-Brown.
Christmas Around the World by Mary Lankford, which explores holiday traditions from different cultures.
For children, A Savior is Born: Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas by Patti Rokus features illustrations inclusive of diverse characters.
Reading stories that highlight different cultural traditions is a beautiful way to connect with others and expand your understanding of the holidays.
4. Spreading Love and Unity Through Holiday Celebrations
At its heart, the holiday season is about love, connection, and generosity. By embracing diversity in your celebrations, you’re helping to create a world where everyone feels valued and seen. Whether it’s sharing a meal that reflects the heritage of everyone at your table, gifting an item that celebrates inclusivity, or simply spreading kindness, your actions can make a meaningful impact.
Building Traditions That Reflect Us All
As we gather to give thanks this Thanksgiving and prepare for the joy of Christmas, let’s remember the importance of diversity in our traditions. By celebrating the many cultures and stories that make up our world, we create a richer, more inclusive holiday season.
The story of Christmas, centered on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, is one of love, resilience, and belonging. Choosing representations of the Holy Family that reflect the diversity of humanity honors the true spirit of this season — a reminder that faith is for everyone.
This year, let’s embrace gratitude not just for the blessings in our lives, but for the opportunity to build traditions that reflect the beauty of our shared humanity. Together, we can make the holidays a time of connection, unity, and love.
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