5 ways parents can create an inclusive home during the holidays

The holiday season is often filled with lights, music, food and family traditions. While many of us grew up celebrating holidays in a specific way, it is important to remember Arizona’s families and communities are beautifully and increasingly diverse. This makes the holidays a powerful opportunity, not just for celebration, but for teaching children about inclusion, empathy and shared human values across cultures.

Being inclusive at home during the holidays does not mean you have to give up the traditions you love. Instead, it means widening your perspective and helping children understand that joy, generosity, reflection and togetherness exist in many forms around the world.

Here are five simple, meaningful ways to create an inclusive home during the holidays to help kids understand the deeper meaning of holiday celebrations across cultures.

1. Focus on shared values, not just specific holidays

As we gather with our families and enjoy our own traditions, the holiday season offers a meaningful opportunity to talk with our kids about the values many cultures share during this time of year: gratitude, generosity, family, reflection, hope and light during darker seasons. Helping children recognize these common themes shows that people across the world celebrate for similar reasons, even if the traditions look different. Talk with your children about these shared ideas. This helps kids see connections rather than differences and fosters a sense of empathy and belonging.

2. Learn about different traditions together

Children are naturally curious. Use that curiosity to explore holidays from different cultures together. Use the holiday season as a chance to explore celebrations from other cultures as a family. Read books, watch short videos, cook traditional foods or listen to music connected to celebrations such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas or winter solstice. Approach each with curiosity and respect, emphasizing traditions are meaningful to the people who celebrate them, and that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate the season.

3. Use inclusive language at home

The words we use shape how children see the world. Using phrases like “holiday season” helps kids become more aware of others’ experiences. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge not everyone celebrates in the same way and that some families may not celebrate the holidays at all. Talking about this with kids helps normalize differences and reduces assumptions or misunderstandings. It is important to explain inclusion means being mindful of others’ experiences, and we can foster this by making choices that help everyone feel comfortable, respected and valued. These small shifts at home model empathy and teach children how to create welcoming spaces wherever they go.

4. Create space for reflection and gratitude

Many cultures use this time of year to reflect and express gratitude, making it a natural moment to slow down and be intentional as a family. Build this into your family routines by encouraging kids to share what they are thankful for, write notes of appreciation or talk about ways they have grown throughout the year. You can also invite children to reflect on challenges they have overcome and goals they hope to set for the year ahead. These practices help children connect the holidays to meaning, mindfulness and personal growth, instead of only focusing on fun activities or gifts.

5. Model giving and kindness beyond gifts

Across cultures, generosity is a core holiday value. Involve kids in acts of kindness such as donating food or toys, helping neighbors or supporting community organizations. Talk openly about why giving matters and how helping others is a shared value across cultures. This reinforces that the heart of the holidays is connection and care for others. Talk openly about why helping others matters and how generosity is a value shared across cultures. This helps children understand holidays are about connection and care, not just presents.

The bigger lesson

Teaching kids about the holidays across cultures helps them develop empathy, curiosity and respect. By focusing on shared values and human connection, families can make the holidays a time of learning, belonging and joy for everyone.

Inclusivity does not require erasing your own culture or beliefs but instead means celebrating your own beliefs while recognizing and respecting others. When children see this balance at home, they learn that honoring diversity does not divide communities, but connects them. At its heart, the holiday season in many cultures is about coming together. When we teach children that lesson, we give them a gift that lasts much longer than just the holiday season.

What are other ways we can cultivate inclusivity at home this holiday season? Share your ideas with us on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook page.

About the author

RikkiLynn Archibeque is in her 11th year of teaching in Arizona and has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and a master’s degree in learning sciences from Arizona State University.

She currently teaches high school history and government and is a cross country and track and field coach. She is also the wife of a high school administrator, Jake, and the mom of a gifted third grader, Cruz.