December Holiday Ideas for ECON/PFL 2023 – Resource List
PFL/ECON Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources for December Holidays
“5 Universal Money Lessons That Kwanzaa Teaches”, Real Simple, Jan 2023, https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/kwanzaa/kwanzaa-money-lessons
“5 Ways to Learn, Explore and Celebrate Winter All Year”, PBS Education, Dec 2021, https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/5-ways-to-learn-explore-and-celebrate-winter-all-year
“7 Kwanzaa Activities for Elementary Students”, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (textbook publishers), Nov 2020, https://www.hmhco.com/blog/7-kwanzaa-activities-lesson-plans-for-elementary-students
“7 Forgotten Christmas Traditions to Bring Back”, Intellectual Takeout, Dec 2023, https://intellectualtakeout.org/2023/12/forgotten-christmas-traditions/?oly_enc_id=9130C3736801C1T
“Developing a Holiday Budget” (on-demand webinar), Council for Economic Education, Jan 2023, https://econedlink.org/webinar/developing-a-holiday-budget/
“A Guide to Teaching Students About Hanukkah”, Study.com, Dec 2020, https://study.com/blog/a-guide-to-teaching-about-hanukkah.html
“A Guide to Teaching Students About Kwanzaa”, Study.com, Dec 2020, https://study.com/blog/a-guide-to-teaching-about-kwanzaa.html?src=organicsocial
“Holiday Edition: Shifts in Supply or Demand Interactive Practice”, Marginal Revolution University, https://mru.org/teacher-resources/active-learning/holiday-edition-shifts-supply-or-demand-interactive-practice
“Holiday Edition: What's Included in GDP? Interactive Practice”, Marginal Revolution University, https://mru.org/teacher-resources/active-learning/holiday-edition-whats-included-gdp-interactive-practice
“A Lesson of Hanukkah: It’s Difficult to Determine Asset Lives”, Tax Foundation, Dec 2015, https://taxfoundation.org/blog/lesson-hanukkah-it-s-difficult-determine-asset-lives/
“’Tis The Season To Save or Spend? A Holiday Money Conundrum” (video), PBS Newshour, https://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/2319868180/
“Toys for Me: A Lesson In Choice”, Council for Economic Education, Nov 2023, https://econedlink.org/resources/toys-for-me/
“Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) and Kwanzaa”, Official Kwanzaa Website, 2020, https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/ujamaa.html
NGPF Resources (mostly financial literacy) – REMEMBER, you need an NGPF account to use these!
“Activity Spotlight: Plan a Friendsgiving Dinner”, Next Gen Personal Finance, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/activities/activity-spotlight-plan-a-friendsgiving-dinner/ and https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C8NBZBlUowJTsmr-xxSq7EUivEIetLdVeQLq5i39Af8/edit
“COMPARE: Charities”, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fSf8zP68El4kr5KRTZJg62VSZKTAZoZeGpnEWjzVv_Q/edit
“December Dash: Holiday Word Puzzle”, Dec 2023, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/curriculum-announcements/december-dash-holiday-word-puzzle/ (blog article w/links) and https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R4IdMKiBM0pzhXf2a-1w5ZrdswozdxA9fkGhwFWhXnc/edit (direct link to the activity)
“Fincap Friday: Americans Regret Holiday Debt”, Jan 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJSzRYajwAM (video) and https://www.ngpf.org/blog/fincap-friday/fincap-friday-americans-regret-holiday-debt/ (blog article w/links)
“Fincap Friday: Holiday Crypto Craze”, Dec 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qMYlpaVyWE (video) and https://www.ngpf.org/blog/fincap-friday/fincap-friday-holiday-crypto-craze/ (blog article w/links)
“FinCap Friday: Shipping It Twice”, Dec 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar-t0nyEOUU (video) and https://www.ngpf.org/blog/fincap-friday/fincap-friday-shipping-it-twice/ (blog article w/links)
“FinCap Friday: What Brings Bliss? A Gratitude Practice!”, Nov 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhSqfrfAaUg (video) and https://www.ngpf.org/blog/fincap-friday/fincap-friday-what-brings-bliss-a-gratitude-practice/ (blog article w/links)
“Podcasts in the Classroom - Holiday Shopping Spree”, Dec 2021, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/podcasts-in-the-classroom/podcasts-in-the-classroom-holiday-shopping-spree/
NGPF – “Questions of the Day” related to December holidays:
“Question of the Day: What is the top reason why Americans choose to donate to charity?”, Aug 2023, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-is-the-top-reason-why-americans-choose-to-donate-to-charity/
“Question of the Day: What are the top 4 holiday gift categories consumers plan to spend on?”, Dec 2023, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-how-much-are-americans-planning-to-budget-for-winter-holiday-spending-in-2021/
“Question of the Day: What is the top gift idea for teens this holiday season: gift cards, clothing or video games?”, Dec 2022, https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-is-the-top-gift-idea-for-teens-this-holiday-season-gift-cards-clothing-or-video-games/
December Holiday articles from economists’ blogs:
“Deck the halls: Holiday decorating is reaching new heights”, The Hustle, Nov 2023, https://thehustle.co/deck-the-halls-holiday-decorating-is-reaching-new-heights/
“The Dow of Christmas Music”, Econlife, Dec 2014, https://econlife.com/2014/12/comparing-the-dow-industrial-average-and-christmas-music-play-lists/
“The Economics of Christmas Music: Why aren't musicians churning out new holiday tunes each year?”, Monday Morning Economist, Dec 2023, https://www.mondayeconomist.com/p/christmas-music?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
“How the poinsettia took over Christmas”, The Hustle, Dec 2021, https://thehustle.co/how-the-poinsettia-took-over-christmas/
“The Life of a Christmas Tree: From Seedling to Six-Footer”, Econlife, Dec 2021, https://econlife.com/2021/12/life-of-a-christmas-tree/
“What Christmas Trees Say About the Holiday Economy”, Econlife, Dec 2020, https://econlife.com/2020/12/christmas-tree-demand-and-supply/
“Why a Starbucks Christmas Tree Frappuccino Has a Brief Life”, Econlife, Dec 2017, https://econlife.com/2017/12/starbucks-limited-edition-frappuccinos/
“Why Our Holiday Presents Could Be Delayed”, Econlife, Nov 2023, https://econlife.com/2023/11/panama-canal-slowdown/
U.S. Government and Safety Resources
“Holiday Season Fun Facts (handout and teaching guide)”, U.S. Census, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/resources/fun-facts/holiday-season.html, Dec 2023
Search for materials on “Christmas”, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=christmas&new=true
Search for materials on “Hanukkah”, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=hanukkah&new=true
Search for materials on “Kwanzaa”, Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=kwanzaa&new=true
“Holiday Safety Tips”, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Dec 2023, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips
Other general ECON/PFL articles on December “holidays”:
“5 Steps to Creating Financial Boundaries During the Holidays”, NerdWallet, Dec 2023, https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/financial-boundaries-during-the-holidays
“13 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress”, Ramsey Solutions, Oct 2023, https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personal-growth/holiday-stress
“20 celebrations this holiday season besides Christmas”, Stacker, Dec 2021, https://stacker.com/stories/3598/20-celebrations-holiday-season-besides-christmas
“2023 holiday shopping outlook: An early look at how consumers plan to shop this season”, National Retail Federation, Oct 2023, https://nrf.com/blog/2023-holiday-shopping-outlook
“2023 HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRENDS & INSIGHTS REPORT”, Adobe Experience Cloud, https://business.adobe.com/resources/holiday-shopping-report.html
“Are your holiday meals pricier this year? Blame extreme heat.”, VOX.com, Nov 2023, https://www.vox.com/climate/23971356/thanksgiving-2023-food-steak-olive-oil-record-heat-climate-change
“Average Cost of American Holiday Spending”, Investopedia, Nov 2023, https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1112/average-cost-of-an-american-christmas.aspx
“The big business of bad Christmas movies: An illustrated overview”, Morning Brew, Dec 2022, https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/big-business-bad-christmas-movies-illustrated
“December Consumer Food Insights Report reveals steady food behaviors through economic change”, Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability, Jan 2023, https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2023/01/december-consumer-food-insights-report-reveals-steady-food-behaviors-through-economic-change.html
“Food banks are filling gaps in the safety net this holiday season” (article or podcast episode), Marketplace, Nov 2023, https://www.marketplace.org/2023/11/28/food-banks-are-filling-gaps-in-the-safety-net-this-holiday-season/
“Giving Tuesday, Explained: a short history of Giving Tuesday, the international day for giving back”, VOX.com, Nov 2023, https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21727010/giving-tuesday-explained-charity-nonprofits
“Holiday Shopping Statistics”, Capital One Shopping Research, Nov 2023, https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/holiday-shopping-statistics/
“The hottest holiday shopping trend? Buy now, pay later” (article or podcast episode), Marketplace, Dec 2023, https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/the-hottest-holiday-shopping-trend-buy-now-pay-later/
“How Inflation Is Impacting Holiday Ads” (article or podcast episode), Marketplace, Nov 2023, https://www.marketplace.org/2023/11/30/holiday-advertising-inflation-emotion/
“How toy sales are faring this holiday season“ (article or podcast episode), Marketplace, Nov 2023, https://www.marketplace.org/2023/11/28/how-toy-sales-are-faring-this-holiday-season/
“Mayonnaise eggnog? Here’s why brands still gamble on wacky food promotions” (article or podcast episode), Marketplace, Dec 2022, https://www.marketplace.org/2022/12/06/mayonnaise-eggnog-heres-why-brands-still-gamble-on-wacky-food-promotions/
“Over 18,000 annual ER visits linked to Christmas decor incidents”, USA Facts, Nov 2023, https://usafacts.org/data-projects/christmas-decorating-injuries?utm_source=Mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=dec_4
“Why do artists keep making holiday albums? Because they still sell lots of copies”, VOX.com, Dec 2015, https://www.vox.com/2014/11/28/7296783/holiday-albums-explained
“Winter Holiday Retail Holiday and Seasonal Trends”, National Retail Federation, Nov 2023, https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/winter-holidays