Celebrating traditional family holidays abroad is rarely easy. But there's something about Christmas that makes it particularly challenging. Today, we'll try to unpack what it is that we miss about Christmas away from home and look into ways to “manufacture” Christmas spirit in a foreign country.
Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you may be starting to feel the season's magic and the excitement it brings. As malls across the globe compete for discounts and decorations and giant Christmas trees go up in central squares, some of us may be finding ourselves celebrating Christmas away from home — for the first time ever.
Why we have a hard time celebrating Christmas abroad — And how to help it
If this is your first time celebrating Christmas abroad, you may encounter many unexpected challenges. Depending on where you are and the other circumstances of your stay, there may be different possible solutions to your worries. Here are a few ideas.
Missing your family and friends
There are many ways to celebrate Christmas. However, for most of us, it's a family holiday. So, if you are abroad alone, your first Christmas worry will be missing your family and friends. Unless you can travel back home for the holidays, there is no simple solution to this problem. But there are a few workarounds or superficial fixes that may help you get through the holiday season.
First, having a Zoom Christmas doesn't have to be a flashback to the pandemic. If your family and friends are in a different country, consider setting up a Christmas day or Christmas dinner video call. This will be a great opportunity for you to share stories of your life abroad and get a peek into your loved ones' lives back home. A well-timed Christmas call may also help you get a whiff of that elusive Christmas spirit and teleport back home, if only for an hour or two.
If getting in touch with your family is not an option this Christmas, do the next best thing. Gather up the pals you've met abroad and dive into an unconventional Christmas Day celebration.
Missing your traditions
Another thing that we inadvertently associate Christmas with is traditions. Recreating your Christmas traditions back home can be complicated, expensive, and sometimes even impossible.
If this is the case, consider creating new traditions — even if only for this year. If you open yourself to new ideas and circumstances, you may discover something you'll want to keep and incorporate into your Christmas traditions next year.
When Michael celebrated his first Christmas in a small village in Thailand where he used to work as an English teacher, he decided to take his students out to dinner at a local restaurant. It soon became a Christmas tradition he cherishes to this day. “I was feeling a bit low as I couldn't celebrate the holidays with my family. One of the teachers invited me for dinner with our students, and although I was in the mood to stay home, I decided to go. That was the best decision ever. I ended up staying in Thailand for five years — and our Christmas dinners with students became a holiday tradition.”
Embracing local traditions is another way to expand your perception of what Christmas can be, learn something new, meet new people, and avoid feeling lonely. Speaking of loneliness.
Being in the “wrong” climate
We tend to associate Christmas with a specific atmosphere — and this often includes the weather. Some of us may be used to a traditional “white Christmas'' by the fireplace with “Let It Snow'' playing in the background. Others may associate Christmas with rain, wind, and cozy holiday sweaters. Finding yourself in a different climate on this traditionally “snowy” holiday may make you feel out of place. Even if your new destination celebrates Christmas, seeing familiar decorations on palm trees or waking up in scorching heat on Christmas day may stand in the way of your holiday mood.
Oummé, who returned to Mauritius after spending most of her life in France, explains that she found it hard to associate the festive decorations of Christmas with the southern summer, with its temperatures and very particular atmosphere: "It took me several years to get used to the idea of Christmas under the palm trees and sometimes Christmas dinner... on the beach! She adds, "Over time, I've come to realize that I'm lucky enough to experience two forms of Christmas after all, in the West and here in Mauritius, where the magic works, but differently."
There are several things you can try here. First, you can choose to embrace this unique opportunity to experience something different. Try to see the beauty and novelty in the new setting, whether it's a snowy landscape or a sunny beach. Second, you can do your best to bring back that familiar weather feeling. Make your favorite holiday drink, wear your favorite holiday clothing, make a Christmas dish that will make you feel at home, and watch a few videos of holiday celebrations back home.
Limited access to traditional foods and decorations
One of the most popular ways for expats to get into the holiday mood abroad is by recreating some of their favorite holiday traditions in your new location. This could be as simple as playing your favorite Christmas music, baking traditional cookies, or decorating your space in a festive manner. But what if these simple things are inaccessible in your new destination? This is when you will have to get creative.
If you are looking for specific ingredients or decorations, explore local markets and international stores. They often have a surprising variety of imported goods, and you might find some of your traditional Christmas items.
If this is not an option, consider online shopping platforms that deliver internationally. Many websites cater to expats looking for specific products from their home countries.
If you are not happy with international delivery fees, get creative and make your own decorations. This can be a fun activity that will add a personal touch to your celebration.
Not feeling like going through all this trouble? The simplest solution may be checking if there are any holiday events in international hotels or restaurants in your new destination. Sometimes, even something as simple as having a cup of holiday-themed coffee may do the trick and jump-start your Christmas mood.
For instance, during my first Christmas in China, I remember feeling very comforted by a local Starbucks that went all out for holiday decorations and had a wide selection of holiday-themed drinks in festive cups. My first Christmas only cost me about $3 — the price of a Starbucks holiday drink over a decade ago.
Legal and religious restrictions
As we decorate Christmas trees and make eggnog, we may forget that Christmas is a religious holiday. This means that if you are currently based in a country that adheres to different religious beliefs, celebrating Christmas may come with extra complications.
For instance, in Saudi Arabia, public observance of non-Islamic religious holidays like Christmas is not allowed due to the country's strict adherence to Wahhabi Islam. Private celebrations are generally tolerated, but public displays can attract penalties.
The best place to start is to research your new destination's local laws and customs regarding religious celebrations. It's important to be respectful of the local culture and predominant religion. This means understanding that Christmas might not be celebrated widely or at all and being mindful of how your celebrations could be perceived.
In places where Christmas celebrations are not the norm or might be frowned upon, consider celebrating discreetly. This could mean small, private gatherings rather than public displays. Often, expatriate communities in foreign countries will have their own celebrations that are more in line with what you might be used to. Joining these communities can provide a sense of familiarity and allow you to celebrate more traditionally.
If you're unsure what's acceptable, seek advice from local friends, colleagues, or authorities. They can provide valuable insights into what might be culturally appropriate or legally permissible.
Not knowing what to do for Christmas
Sometimes, if you are a new expat in a new country, Christmas may sneak up on you. As you are busy arranging your new life, you may find yourself without any plans for the holidays. If you have no festive preparations and no time to make them, here are some quick ideas for an instant Christmas abroad:
- Invite fellow expats and local friends for a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish from their home country. It's a great way to get to know different traditions and pick up new recipes to surprise loved ones at home.
- Look for expat community events or consider organizing one. It's a great way to build a sense of community and share holiday experiences.
- Many places have opportunities to volunteer during the holiday season. It's a rewarding way to give back, get to know your new destination, and connect with like-minded people.
- Learn something new. Embrace the local cuisine by cooking traditional holiday dishes. Cooking classes can be a fun way to learn and celebrate the season.
- If you're in a warmer climate, take advantage of it. Celebrate Christmas by taking a trip, going on a hike, having a beach day, exploring local sights, etc. Years from now, you may be looking back on this time, and you'd probably be very happy that you left your comfort zone and did something fun that Christmas.
- Finally, take photos or keep a journal of your Christmas abroad. It's a great way to reflect on your experiences and share stories with others.
