Build an Enchanting Global Holiday Village
Celebrate this special time of year by creating a global holiday village with your young holiday helpers. Then watch this page daily for printables that you cut out and assemble to turn your village into an expansive winter wonderland. Soon, you’ll have a festive centerpiece that’s as much fun to play with as it is to display!
Tip: Print out multiple templates for items you wish to create more of.
Jolly Snowmen
People have been making figures out of snow since the Middle Ages, when the wintry sculptures were featured in scenes with political messages. Over time, though, building snowmen became a more whimsical activity.
Glowing Candles
December 7, Día de las Velitas, marks the start of the Christmas season in Colombia. Candles are displayed everywhere and represent wishes and hopes for the upcoming new year.
Merry Mistletoe
Mistletoe was held in high esteem by ancient cultures for all sorts of reasons, but kissing beneath it didn’t become a widespread Christmas practice until the 1700s in England.
Poinsettia Blooms
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America and have long been associated with the holiday season. Some believe the plant’s red, pink, or white flowers represent the Star of Bethlehem.
Delightful Dala Horses
Carved wooden Dala horses originated in the Dalarna region of Sweden hundreds of years ago and are still wildly popular, including as Christmas decorations.
Pretty Parols
In the Philippines, beautiful parols symbolize hope for the holiday season and the coming year. These decorative lanterns are put on display as early as September.
Santa’s Sleigh
Though sleighs usually travel over snow and ice, the sky’s the limit for Santa when he and his reindeer take a once-a-year trip around the world.
Festive Fir Trees
Make your village merry and bright with artfully placed Christmas trees. The tradition of bringing fir trees indoors to decorate at holiday time began in Germany in the 1500s.
Holiday Houses
Advent calendars were first printed in Germany in the early 1900s. Some advent calendars take the form of houses with doors that open to reveal one surprise a day in the 24 days leading up to Christmas. (Note: Printable contains templates for 25 houses.)