ISBN: 0-9643177-4-5

Hands-On Celebrations features:

• 26 crafts from 16 countries
• An introduction to how and why people celebrate holidays
• Arranged in order of holidays - celebrate throughout the year!
• Beautiful full-page, full-color photographs of authentic artifacts from Bali, Russia, India, Africa, Mexico, Japan, Central and South America
• Information about holidays and folk art all around the world
• Enrich parties, improve costumes, motivate handcrafted gifts, and enliven your holiday fun

Celebrate with the world throughout the year! Learn how different cultures give thanks, play, and remember important cultural events by creating the activities in Hands-On Celebrations. Sample activities include:

Chinese New Year

Red and yellow (gold) are the colors of this holiday. These traditional red Li-See envelopes are used for gifts. They are only one of the many charming items displayed and used to usher in the New Year in China.

Japanese Origami Dolls (Hina Matsuri)

Doll Festival Day and Girls' Day are celebrated together in Japan. Food, clothing and elaborate doll shrines feature the colors pink, green and white. Origami, the art of folded paper, is an ancient tradition in Japan.

Mexican Cascarones

Cinqo de Mayo is a day full of parties. Breaking a cascarone (kaskuhrohnay) over the head of a friend is sometimes done in parts of Mexico. If you are having an outdoor event these are especially fun and clean up is simple. Kids love this part of the celebration.

Pombawonga Game (American Indians)

August and September have been important seasons for American Indians for centuries. Harvest time is a cause of celebration and this traditional stick and ring game was played by the children in many tribes.

African Mask

There are many types of masks made throughout Africa to honor the harvest season. Many are a basic face with variations on the designs. You can make your own mask rich in color and pattern.

Scandinavian Christmas Nisse

The countries of Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland have elves deliver yuletide gifts. In Denmark the Nisse are clad in red, have white beards and bright faces. The painted horse and paper birds are all part of the traditional event.