Celebrating The Holiday Season At Far Hills

As the holiday season arrived, Far Hills Country Day School was filled with creativity, warmth, and festive cheer as students across all divisions took part in joyful, hands-on activities that celebrated the spirit of the season and the strength of our community.

Our youngest learners in Preschool kicked off the festivities by decorating paper bags and transforming them into charming holiday houses. With bright colors, patterns, and imaginative details, these creations reflected both their creativity and excitement as they explored the magic of the season through art.

Kindergarten students added a special touch to the festivities by decorating gingerbread alongside their parents. This joyful activity brought families into the classroom, creating meaningful moments of connection, laughter, and shared holiday tradition.

Grade 1 students embraced the true spirit of giving by creating heartfelt holiday cards that will be donated to a local children’s hospital and senior citizens. As they carefully designed each card, students discussed kindness, empathy, and the importance of spreading joy to others—turning a creative project into a meaningful lesson in compassion and community connection.

In Grade 2, students rolled up their sleeves to create snowmen out of clay. Each snowman had its own personality, giving students the opportunity to practice fine motor skills while expressing individuality and seasonal joy. Nearby, Grade 3 students designed their own ornaments—complete with their smiling faces—resulting in meaningful keepsakes that families will treasure for years to come.

Grade 4 students continued the artistic celebration by painting clay figurines, carefully adding details and festive flair to each piece. These projects highlighted patience, focus, and creativity, while bringing holiday themes to life through hands-on learning.

Our oldest students embraced the season in equally spirited ways. Grade 8 students decorated holiday cookies, sharing laughs and collaboration while putting the finishing touches on their sweet creations. Upper School students also showcased their creativity and school spirit by decorating their classroom doors, filling the hallways with festive displays that brought smiles to everyone who passed by.

Preschool and Grade 3 students also enjoyed a special musical experience when parent Lindsay Mader P’28, ’29, ’31, ’34 visited campus to teach them the Hora. Students learned the traditional dance in preparation for the Holiday Concert, where they performed “Let’s All Dance the Hora” by Karl Hitzemann—bringing music, movement, and cultural learning together in a joyful way. Lindsay also then visited Lower School and Upper School to talk about Hanukkah and its traditions. 

Together, these activities captured what makes the holiday season at Far Hills so special—creativity at every age, meaningful connections across grades, and joyful moments that bring our community together. From handmade decorations to shared traditions, the holidays at Far Hills are a true celebration of learning, creativity, and community.