Gifts for Every Occasion: A Year-Long Celebration in Your Classroom

December is upon us, the magical time of year when we think about presents, gratitude, and spreading joy. And that’s cute. But then January rolls in, and the festive glow starts to fade. The tree comes down, the wrapping paper gets recycled, and suddenly, the presents are a thing of the past, and all that’s left is post-holiday slump. But what if we could keep that spirit of giving alive all year long?

I have an idea: imagine dedicating a lesson in December to a brainstorming session with your students about occasions to celebrate throughout 2025. Find unique, quirky, or meaningful days to create simple, heartfelt gifts in the classroom. By planning ahead, you’ll have a treasure trove of reasons to celebrate and bring fresh energy into your classroom all year round. After all, who says presents are just for Christmas?

Gift-Making Brainstorm

Start by inviting your students to come up with a list of special occasions for the new year. But don’t stick to the usual birthdays and holidays, there’s a whole world of fun, unexpected celebrations out there that can spark your students’ creativity! And here are some fantastic resources where you can discover unique days to celebrate:

• Days of the Year: This site is a goldmine for quirky and lesser-known holidays, from Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day to National Cat Day.
• National Today: Offers a mix of global and national celebrations with ideas for how to honour each day.
• Time and Date: Great for exploring both official and quirky holidays, with options to filter by country or theme.
• Checkiday: A comprehensive site that tracks daily, weekly, and monthly observances around the world.

Handmade Gifts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun

The beauty of these year-round celebrations is that they offer endless opportunities for students to create simple, handmade gifts. The best part? They don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. In fact, the more creative and personal, the better!

Personalized Greeting Cards. Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, World Kindness Day, or Random Acts of Poetry Day, students can design their own cards. This not only builds language skills (hello, adjectives and expressions of gratitude!) but also lets their creativity shine.

Handwritten Bookmarks. Perfect for World Book Day or even as a surprise on Teacher Appreciation Day. Students can decorate bookmarks with quotes, jokes, or personalized messages – they will make great souvenirs in 20 years (trust me!).

Mini-posters or Infographics. If your students enjoy art and design, they can create mini-posters or infographics celebrating occasions like Earth Day or International Women’s Day. This activity is great for practising persuasive language and vocabulary related to each theme – plus, you can encourage your students to use the language in their research.

DIY Classroom Decorations. For celebrations like National Compliment Day or International Friendship Day, students can create classroom banners with positive messages or artwork. It’s a lovely way to foster a sense of community.

Planning Ahead: A Gift Calendar for 2025

Once you’ve brainstormed a list of special days and creative gift ideas, encourage your students to create a classroom “Gift Calendar” for 2025. Assign different students or groups to be in charge of preparing a small celebration or gift-making session for each occasion. This could become a fun, ongoing project that students look forward to throughout the year. By doing this, you’re not just teaching language skills, you’re cultivating creativity, empathy, and collaboration. What’s more, it’s an excellent way to break up the monotony of the school year with a sprinkle of festive fun.

By turning December into a time for creative planning and gift-making, you can keep the holiday spirit alive and inspire your students to embrace the new year with a positive mindset. And if you’re looking for a ready-made activity to kick off this gift-giving journey, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter! You’ll receive an exclusive lesson plan titled “A Present for Santa Claus” — a fun, interactive session where your students get to design the perfect gift for Santa.

Happy teaching, and may your classroom be filled with creativity and joy this December!