The tradition of celebrating Christmas is one that has spread across the globe over the centuries, reaching many different continents and countries. Each culture that celebrates Christmas has its own unique traditions, many of which include varieties of folk art. These craft traditions make for an enriching, hands-on means of studying culture and tradition when used as the basis for student art lessons.

Chinese Paper Christmas Decorations
To celebrate the winter holiday in China, families often adorn trees with traditional Chinese paper decorations. Cut ribbons of colorful paper and curl them into rosettes and bows, or make miniature Chinese paper lanterns to adorn your tree. For a basic lantern, cut a 2-inch by 4-inch strip of paper and fold it in half lengthwise. Cut a series of slits at the folded edge, up nearly to the other edge of the paper. Unfold the sheet, then roll it into a cylinder. The cut edges will fan out.

English Mummer's Mask
In England, the tradition of Christmas caroling is accompanied by mummers' plays, a form of traveling drama where performers often wear elaborate face masks. Make masks from paper plates decorated with construction paper, felt or craft foam. Make either Christmas-related characters, like Father Christmas, or characters from fairy tales and mythology. Mummers' plays may feature any kind of story. A common English mummer's play is that of St. George and the Seven Champions of Christendom.

French Santon Figurines
For older children with a penchant for clay sculpting, try some French santons, a tradition dating back to the 18th century. Use air-dry earthenware clay to fashion miniature nativity scenes or Christmas-related characters. Paint the dried figurines using acrylic paint to make them both colorful and water resistant.

Christmas Piñata
In Mexico, the party tradition of the piñata is used in Christmas celebrations. Though traditional piñatas are made of clay, the modern, updated versions made from papier mache are a more suitable children's craft. An easy shape for kids to master is a basic Christmas ball, made using a large balloon as the base. Coat the balloon in six to eight layers of newspaper that has been soaked in wheat paste. Let the newspaper dry, then pop the balloon. You can also make the papier mache yourself beforehand, leaving only the painting and decorating of the Christmas ball for the children to complete.

German Christkind Letters
Similar to the American tradition of writing letters to Santa Claus, German children traditionally write letters to the Christkind. The Christkind is a mythical fairy-like creature who, like St. Nicholas, brings gifts to children during the holiday season. Children write letters to the Christkind and leave them on windowsills overnight. These letters may be simple written sheets, but they are also commonly decorated with things like markers, glitter or ribbons, making them a simple, but enjoyable international Christmas craft.