Expatriates’ Christmas
Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah or Eid al-Fitr you celebrate as a strictly religious celebration, or take it as an opportunity to spend quality time together to reflect on the year just passed, expats are experiencing the holidays in very different ways to those they remember from their childhoods.
— Charles M. Schulz
"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone."
The Christmas culture shock
The most notable holiday in December for many is Christmas, but there are a number of countries where Christmas isn’t widely celebrated, and that can take some getting used to if Christmas is big back home.
Being in a different country over the festive period, whatever you’re celebrating, can mean bringing together your personal family traditions and the traditions from your home country with those from where you’re now living, too.
Traditions around the world
Whilst Christmas isn’t celebrated by everyone, in many countries it tends to bring with it a whole host of traditions, such as music, events, decorations and food, and those are things embraced by many.
Depending on where you are, some of the things you’re used to might not be as easy to get hold of. There will, however, be lots of new traditions and experiences that you can embrace, and could even be the start of a new tradition for you and your family. We’ve taken a look at some of the most popular destinations of our members to see how they celebrate the holidays:
USA — Merry Christmas
Some Americans use pop-corn threaded on string to help decorate their Christmas Tree. Making gingerbread houses is also popular to make and eat at Christmas! Eggnog is a 'traditional' Christmas drink in the USA. Many Americans, especially Christians will go to Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Many churches have special Christmas Carol services and events where the story of Christmas is told.
Switzerland — Samichlaus
In Switzerland St Nicholas is known as 'Samichlaus' and he might visit you on 6th December. You might also be fortunate enough to have some presents from the baby Jesus (or Father Christmas) on the 25th and on Epiphany (6th January) you might be visited by the Befana (in South Switzerland) and/or the Three Kings (in the rest of Switzerland).
The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve and popular foods include a Christmas ham and scalloped potatoes with melted cheese and milk baked into it. Dessert is often a walnut cake and Christmas cookies.
Germany - Das Christkind
In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the 'das Christkind/Christkindl' asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the envelope to make them sparkly and attractive to look at. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during Advent.
Canada - Réveillon
Many families of French descent have a huge feast/party on Christmas Eve called a 'Réveillon' that lasts well into the early hours of Christmas morning after taking part in Christmas Eve Mass. When people are at Midnight Mass, they hope that 'Père Noel' (Santa) will visit their house and leave gifts for children under the tree. The traditional Christmas meal for people in Quebec, is a stew called 'ragoût aux pattes de cochons' which is made from pigs feet! However, many people now have a 'Tourtière', a meat pie made from venison (or pork or beef).
Getting ready for Christmas
Whichever approach you have taken, it is important to prioritise and just get a few items that will really set the day off. To avoid disappointment, look to the benefits of being an expat at this time of year and incorporate traditions from the new culture you find yourself living in.
