Cups & Classics: December Homeschool Curriculum for Families

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If your family is craving a slower, richer December—one rooted in culture, stories, beautiful music, and meaningful traditions—the Cups & Classics: December homeschool curriculum was created for you! It’s not just for homeschoolers, though. 

During the month of December, routines soften, and families naturally gather closer. Many homeschool moms shift into “Christmas school,” focusing less on heavy academics or textbooks, and more on connection and tradition. Parents—even those not homeschooling—often look for ways to bring simple beauty and intentional tradition into their homes during this time of year.

This December Cups and Classics curriculum is a gentle blend of art, music, literature, and culture designed to help you do exactly that. It works beautifully as a December morning basket, a winter homeschool activity set, a Christmas homeschool unit study alternative, or a cozy weekly family gathering. 

If you used my November set, you’ll already be familiar with the gentle, family-centered format. December follows the same structure but with new artists, new themes, and a Scandinavian winter focus. Plus this one has a few extra bonuses and is eight pages longer!

What Is the Cups & Classics December Homeschool Curriculum?

Cups & Classics is a monthly, four-week cultural study for families who want to cultivate beauty, curiosity, and meaningful traditions at home. This one is focused on winter and the Christmas season.

Each month explores:

• one artist

• one composer

• one poet or author

• one folk tale

• one weekly recipe

• one simple cultural craft

• one manners moment

• short discussion prompts

• and a gentle family reflection

The December theme is Light in the Darkness, featuring Scandinavian winter traditions and quiet moments of peace that are perfect for the Advent season.

Whether you’re homeschooling full time, doing a modified Christmas school, or simply adding a cultural rhythm to your December, this guide gives you everything you need to enjoy meaningful learning without overwhelm. It is the perfect way to add new and meaningful Christmas traditions to your home!

Families can use this as part of their:

• Winter homeschool rhythm

• Evening family time

• Weekly cultural study lessons

• December “soft school” or Christmas school traditions

• Morning basket or family literature time

Although similar to what many call “poetry tea time,” this format broadens the experience beyond poetry to include art, music, storytelling, cultural traditions, and hands-on projects. It’s a gentle, whole-family gathering time. It will help you have more consistency with these activities since they are already planned for you!

What’s Included in the Cups and Classics: December Homeschool Curriculum?

Artist Study: Carl Larsson (Sweden)

Each week features one of Larsson’s warm, light-filled winter paintings—from family gatherings to candlelit celebrations. Children naturally notice details, patterns, and emotions in his work, making him ideal for visual discussion and gentle December art appreciation.

Composer Study: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

What better December music than selections from The Nutcracker? Each week includes a child-friendly listening guide, reflection prompts, and a short geography note to connect ballet and classical music to world culture.

Literary Study: Hans Christian Andersen

Instead of poems, this month highlights short literary excerpts from Andersen’s winter tales. These stories invite reflection on hope, warmth, and what it means to bring light into dark seasons.

Folk Tales

Each week includes a short folk story from Northern Europe—Scandinavia and nearby regions—centering on hospitality, kindness, and winter traditions.

Simple Weekly Recipes

December recipes are intentionally homey and child-friendly:

• Week 1: Cinnamon Rolls

• Week 2: St. Lucia Saffron Buns

• Week 3: Soft Ginger Cookies

• Week 4: Cinnamon Dough Ornaments (to bake and decorate)

Grace Notes

A short manners moment to help you teach kids important values, plus a mini reflection for families to discuss the weekly theme together. 

Weekly Activities

Simple hands-on crafts- 1 activity each week, including:

• Scandinavian window stars

• St. Lucia crowns

• Snowflake lanterns
• Christmas tree garlands

Each activity reinforces the theme of Light in the Darkness without requiring extensive prep or supplies. This is a new addition for December!

Faith-Optional Additions

Another new addition for December! For families observing Christmas as a religious holiday, each week includes:

• a short, optional faith reflection

• gentle mentions of Christ as the Light of the World

• questions that deepen spiritual conversations

These portions are clearly marked and can be included or omitted as desired.

Who Is This December Curriculum For?

This flexible winter Christmas unit study set can be used by:

Homeschool Families

Perfect for adding culture, beauty, and tradition to December without the pressure of full academics.

Parents Wanting a Cozy Holiday Rhythm

A wonderful way to create meaningful family traditions rooted in art, music, stories, and shared recipes.

Teachers & Co-op Leaders

The art, literary readings, and weekly activities adapt well to classroom settings, morning meetings, or winter culture studies.

Morning Basket Families

The entire guide fits naturally into a December morning basket or tea-and-story time.

Families Who Want a Simpler, More Meaningful December

Minimal prep. Maximum connection.

Try a sample!

For November’s launch, I shared Week 1 for free so people can get a feel for the new curriculum I am creating. November Cups and Classics focused on gratitude and thanksgiving. Feel free to download November’s free week. I have expanded December to include 2 new sections! 

How to Use This as a December Morning Basket

Many families enjoy:

• brewing tea or warm cider

• gathering around a table

• reading the weekly selection

• listening to the music

• discussing the art

• baking the weekly recipe

You can stretch a week’s lesson over several days or enjoy it all in one cozy afternoon.

What Makes Cups & Classics Different?

• It blends beauty, culture, and simplicity.

• It honors classic works without being stuffy or academic.

• It gives families a way to slow down together.

• It supports cultural literacy through art, music, storytelling, and food.

• It is gentle enough to use during the holiday season, but rich enough to count as meaningful learning.

This isn’t a heavy curriculum. It’s a gathering place!

Purchase December Cups and Classics:

The December Cups & Classics Curriculum is available now in my shop!

Create a December filled with warmth, beauty, tradition, and meaningful learning—without adding one more stressful thing to your season.

Stay tuned for the January version, too!

See More Christmas and Winter Themed Content from My Site:

Christmas Advent Calendar Activity Cards (Free Printable!)

Symbols of Christmas Scavenger Hunt

12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas + Printable Tags

Free Printable Christmas Caroling Song Book

The Best Family Christmas Movies for Kids to Watch