Christmas in Haiti - Songs, Traditions and Printables (all ages)

Jwaye Nwèl! Merry Christmas!

Christmas is such a magical time for everyone, including for Haitian people! We've spent a few Christmas holidays in Haiti, but since I didn't grow up there, I had to do my own research through my family and the Internet about what Christmas is like (mostly as a child) in Haiti. We are raising our two little boys to appreciate their Haitian heritage and to learn the Haitian Creole language. 

Christmas in Haiti brings the same universal magical feeling to everyone, especially kids. Here are some Haitian Christmas songs, traditions and printables to teach about Christmas in Haiti! You may also find yourself reminiscing about Christmas holidays in Haiti!

Christmas Songs in Haitian Creole

Merry Christmas

Traditional Haitian Christmas song

Joyeux Noel 

Noel Trist Noel Bel

On Sale

On Sale

Christmas Carol lyrics in Haitian Creole and French (PDF Songs)

$4.99 $0.00

FREE

Christmas Traditions in Haiti

Christmas in Haiti includes a big traditional Haitian dinner with family and friends. Everyone gathers to enjoy food, gifts and of course Crémas! 

Crémas (Kremas or Cremasse)  is a sweet and creamy alcoholic beverage native to Haiti. The beverage is made primarily from creamed coconut, sweetened condensed evaporated milk, and rum. The rum used is usually dark, however, white rum is used frequently as well. Various spices are added for additional flavoring such as cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, as well as miscellaneous ingredients such as vanilla extract or raisins. Recipes vary from person to person with a few differences in ingredients. The overall look and taste still remains the same. The beverage possesses a creamy consistency similar to a thick milkshake and varies from off-white to beige in color. Crémas has a very sweet, and savory taste that's usually consumed in small amounts. The drink is most popular in Haiti and is served regularly at social events and during the holidays. It's usually consumed along with a sweet pastry of some sort. The drink is often served cold but, it can also be served at room temperature. In recent years, Crémas has been commercialized for sale in both Haiti and the United States (Wikipedia, 2018). 

Learn How to Make Haitian Crémas

There are a ton of Haitian Crémas recipies on Pinterest.

Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, children place their clean shoes full of straw, under the tree on the porch. They hope that Tonton Nwèl (Santa Claus) will remove the straw and put presents in and around the shoes.

Guests usually lend their visits a little before or around midnight to attend La Messe de Minuit (Midnight Mass for Catholics). Or, some leave to go party or caroling. There is also the Revellion, French for Christmas supper, eaten after midnight mass. Traditionally, the meal served is rice, beans, and fried chicken. 

Read a beautiful 1960's memoir written by Jean-Marie Florestal titled Christmas In Jérémie. What a great read...I could really picture the scenes! 

Fanal Lights / Lanterns
Some Haitian people design and make Fanal lights, French for lantern. These pieces of art are miniature houses with designs and tissue paper behind it to look like stained glass. They are lit up at night and usually displayed in windows during the Christmas season. 

You can also see Christmas trees and some Christmas lights at people's homes.

Haitian Christmas Printables

Perfect for Haitian parents (Creole speaking or not), people wanting to teach about multiculturalism and other heritages and homeschoolers or teachers.

Christmas in Haiti (PDF Worksheets)

$4.99

Ever wonder what Christmas is like in Haiti? There is the same joyous feeling during the Christmas season, but there are unique traditions that are so fun to learn about!

5 printable worksheets, which also display great on computers, tablets or phones if you don't want to print. 

• ​Haitian Creole Merry Christmas sign
• Coloring sheet with Christmas decor to teach vocabulary
• Merry Christmas poster or Christmas card 
• Christmas and holiday season greetings in Haitian Creole with English translation
• Number matching activity with Christmas decor

You do not need to be a Creole speaker to use this great teaching tool!

Who is this for?

• Haitian-American parents (Creole speaking or not) who want to teach their children or family members about their roots and cultural identities
• Parents from all backgrounds looking for cultural awareness and diversity
• Homeschoolers or teachers, including ESL (English as a second language teachers), looking for ‘culture in the classroom’ tools
• Travelers preparing to go to Haiti, especially with children
• Students who immigrated from Haiti who are learning English and can be proud of their background, instead of pitied

Learn while teaching Learn about Haiti and Haitian culture awareness

Save time No more spending countless hours piecing together outdated facts and/or creating learning activities

Have fun Encourage and inspire interest in Haiti

These worksheets are made for kid's, but really can be used for all ages interested in learning about Haiti.*

*****This is a digital PDF workbook file immediately available after you check out.

-Use on a computer, tablet, phone and print from home.

-No physical workbook will be mailed.*****

Shop

Now that you have some background and a better idea about Christmas in Haiti, consider downloading the 5 page printable worksheet set to teach kids. *Also display great on iPads, computers or mobile. 

• ​Haitian Creole Merry Christmas sign
• Coloring sheet with Christmas decor to teach vocabulary
• Merry Christmas poster or Christmas card 
• Christmas and holiday season greetings in Haitian Creole with English translation
• Number matching activity with Christmas decor

This is a great set for a variety of ages! I have been using them with our 3-year-old son and he has so much fun with them. These are one-of-a-kind activities designed by The Real Haiti Inc. 

Free Download: Haitian Creole Christmas Carols.