How to Involve Children in Holiday Traditions the Montessori Way (and Teach Gratitude)
Katie Denmark

By involving children in holiday traditions the Montessori way, you’re not just creating festive memories - you’re fostering independence, gratitude, and a lifelong love of meaningful work.

The holiday season is full of warmth, family traditions, and opportunities to create lasting memories. For Montessori families, this time of year is also a chance to nurture independence, mindfulness, and gratitude in children. Here’s how you can weave Montessori principles into your holiday celebrations.


1. Invite Children to Participate in Real Holiday Tasks

Montessori emphasizes practical life activities - real, meaningful work that helps children feel capable and connected. During the holidays, this can include:

  • Cooking and Baking: Let children measure ingredients, stir batter, or decorate cookies.
  • Setting the Table: Show them how to fold napkins or arrange utensils.
  • Gift Wrapping: Provide child-sized scissors, tape, and simple wrapping paper for them to wrap small gifts.

These tasks build fine motor skills, confidence, and a sense of contribution.


2. Create a Child-Friendly Holiday Environment

Prepare your home so children can engage independently:

  • A low shelf with holiday books and simple crafts.
  • A small basket of ornaments they can safely hang.
  • A step stool in the kitchen for helping with meal prep.

This setup encourages autonomy and reduces frustration during busy holiday times.


3. Teach Gratitude Through Daily Rituals

Gratitude is a cornerstone of Montessori’s focus on peace and respect. During the holidays:

  • Gratitude Jar: Invite children to write or draw something they’re thankful for each day.
  • Thank-You Notes: After receiving gifts, help them create simple cards or drawings to express appreciation.
  • Model Gratitude: Verbally express thanks for small things - “I’m grateful for your help setting the table.”

These practices help children internalize gratitude as a habit, not just a holiday gesture.


4. Emphasize Giving Over Receiving

Montessori encourages empathy and service. Involve children in:

  • Making Homemade Gifts: Simple crafts or baked goods for family and friends.
  • Donating Toys or Clothes: Let them choose items to give to those in need.
  • Acts of Kindness: Baking cookies for neighbors or writing cheerful notes.

This shifts the focus from material gifts to meaningful connections.


5. Slow Down and Create Peaceful Moments

The holidays can be overwhelming. Montessori values calm and order:

  • Light a candle together before meals.
  • Share a quiet story time each evening.
  • Practice deep breathing or a short mindfulness activity.

These rituals help children feel grounded and secure.


By involving children in holiday traditions the Montessori way, you’re not just creating festive memories - you’re fostering independence, gratitude, and a lifelong love of meaningful work. This season, let your child be an active participant, not just an observer.

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A thriving Montessori environment is never built by educators alone. It blossoms through the partnership between school and home. In our classroom, we have already seen how family involvement enriches children’s experiences, strengthens their confidence, and fills our days with excitement and connection. This year, many of you have shared pieces of your family life with us, and those moments have made a meaningful impact. From coming in to read with the children, to supporting class events, to sending us stories of your child’s growth at home. Each gesture has helped create a sense of belonging that children can feel. When children see the adults in their world working together, they move through their day with greater ease, trust, and joy. Here are a few ways family engagement helps build our classroom community: Shared Values & Consistency at Home and School: Small routines at home such as encouraging children to dress themselves, take responsibility for their belongings, or help with food preparation mirror the independence we nurture at school. Children feel grounded when expectations are aligned. Grace, Courtesy & Respectful Communication: When families model taking turns to speak, greeting others warmly, and using kind, respectful language, children carry those same practices into their social interactions at school. Celebrating Families and Cultures: When a parent shares a family tradition, a favorite recipe, or a cultural celebration, the classroom becomes a place where every child feels seen and valued. These exchanges help children appreciate diversity and build connections with one another. One of my favorite parts of Montessori is that it is a community journey. We, as educators, are learning alongside you: observing, reflecting, and growing every day. Your questions, curiosity, and partnership inspire us to deepen our practice and support your children in meaningful ways. As we continue through the year, I invite you to stay connected in ways that feel comfortable for your family whether that means joining a classroom event, practicing independence routines at home, or simply sharing a moment of your child’s joy or success. Every bit of involvement brings richness to our shared community.  Thank you for all the ways you support our classrooms. Your presence truly makes a difference, and we are grateful to be walking this Montessori journey with you.