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Holidays around the World comes to CDA

by DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer | December 23, 2021 1:06 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Attention last-minute shoppers!

The Human Rights Education Institute is hosting a free Drop n’ Shop Holidays around the World activity day for kids from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Bring your little elves to make crafts and learn how holidays are celebrated in other countries, all while you check off the last items on your shopping lists.

"I made a gingerbread man and I put a bunch of flowers and gems on it, and I did a snowflake with more snowflakes and jewels on it," 13-year-old Baylee Reed said during the event Wednesday. "It’s really fun. There’s a bunch of things to do and you just will never get bored."

Retired teachers are contributing to the event by reading stories and teaching participants about Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and more.

"I know about Hanukkah," Baylee said. "Some kids celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas.”

Today is the third of three activity days that have included snacks and movies. On Tuesday, kids learned about the environment and watched "Happy Feet." Today's movie is "The Polar Express."

HREI executive director Jeanette Laster said it's important everyone understand how many different celebrations happen in the community every year.

“We focus so much on Christmas sometimes that other holidays are overshadowed," she said. "We have people who visit our area or who live in our area who go to different churches or are Jewish, and we want to recognize and honor all the people in our community and celebrate the diversity that’s in our community.”

HREI is at 414 W. Fort Grounds Drive, Coeur d'Alene.