ADVENT-ure Around the World with Your Tastebuds!
I recently shared that every December for many years, our family has embarked on a special journey we call our ADVENT-ure Around the World. It’s a time when we transform our homeschool into a Christmas School, diving into the rich traditions, cultures, and stories of different countries to see how they celebrate the season … plus explore how famous Christmas customs related to that country can point us back to Jesus.
This year, our journey has taken on a delicious twist with the Universal Yums Taste of History Box! As an affiliate, we were thrilled to receive a complimentary box to explore … and let me tell you – it’s been a highlight of our Christmas School experience this year!
What is Universal Yums?
Universal Yums is a subscription box that brings snacks and candies from around the globe right to your doorstep. The Taste of History Box is extra special because it weaves in fascinating historical tidbits and stories alongside each treat, creating an immersive and educational experience.
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas School
As we study countries and their Christmas traditions, the Universal Yums box has given us a literal taste of the cultures we’re learning about.
For instance, you’ve got the Dutch spiced cookies to pair well the country study on The Netherlands (and jokingly wonder out loud if Santa was greeted with these when delivering gifts to Dutch children’s homes).
How about the day covering Italy, nativities, and Old Befana? The soft almond treats and pecorino-flavored wheat puffs brought the country’s flavors to life in a way no textbook ever could.
Of course, being Filipina, I loved having Ube polvoron (Filipino shortbread) as we talked about how Christmas is celebrated in The Philippines.
There were also snacks from countries we didn’t plan to cover in our Christmas School (like the spiced peanut/toasted corn/green pea snack from India and the jalapeno-flavored plantain chips from Peru), but their inclusion in the box prompted some quick bonus learning about what the Christmas holiday (if celebrated it at all) looks like there!
Connecting Food, Faith, and Family
One of the things I love most about our ADVENT-ure Around the World is how it helps us see the bigger picture of God’s love for the nations. And the Taste of History Box provided a tangible way for us to connect what we’re learning to our senses – tasting the flavors, smelling the spices, and reading about the history that ties it all together.
We used the box not just for snacking but as a launchpad for meaningful conversations about how God’s story includes people from every tribe and tongue.
Our Honest Review
The Taste of History Box was so much fun to go through! Each item came with detailed information about its origin and cultural significance, and the booklet provided trivia and games to keep kids engaged. While not every snack was a favorite (hello, unique flavors!), that was part of the fun – discovering what we loved and laughing over the things we didn’t … and being able to rate them on the included scoreboard (Baby Sis and I did this part):
How You Can Join the Fun
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your homeschool or add something special to your holiday traditions, I can’t recommend Universal Yums enough. It’s a delightful way to explore the world together, one bite at a time … and without having to leave the comfort of your home!
You can grab your own Taste of History Box here (but hurry, it’s a limited time holiday edition!) and join us in this flavorful journey around the world.
They have all kinds of other boxes as well, and a monthly subscription would make a great gift for any kiddo you love, whether they homeschool or not!