10 Tips for Sharing Global Holiday Traditions (and Making New Ones)

The winter holidays are celebrated differently around the globe depending on culture, religion or family values.  Appreciating differences and sharing them is what cultural exchange is all about.   This past Fall, APIA Field Representatives and Senior Community Counselors, Cindy Garruba of Riverhead NY and Melinda Brooks of Boston, MA, presented a webinar to host families nationwide, entitled, "Holidays [...]

By |2021-12-15T16:00:20-05:00December 14th, 2021|Blog|Comments Off on 10 Tips for Sharing Global Holiday Traditions (and Making New Ones)

Most Christmassy Destinations!

How Many of These Destinations Have You Visited? Culturetrip.com has posted a blog with the "Most Christmassy Destinations on the Planet." Many locations on this top 12 list are in Europe and North America.  However, we were surprised that Tokyo, Japan was mentioned since Christmas isn't celebrated in this secular country!  But how beautiful this [...]

By |2018-12-28T14:59:08-05:00December 25th, 2018|Blog|Comments Off on Most Christmassy Destinations!

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 11

China!  You might be wondering why we are visiting a country where religion is outlawed to look at their Christmas traditions, Ironically, Christmas is booming in China. Not the way Christmas may be celebrated in the West, but it's commercialized and an excuse to get out with friends.  Santa is shown playing a saxophone, and [...]

By |2018-12-19T18:00:28-05:00December 22nd, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 11

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 10

For day 10 we are headed to Austria for their scary Krampus tradition. Krampus traditionally appeared with St. Nicholas as his side-kick on December 5th.  He is very scary, dressed in animal skins, and horns.  The idea was if you had been naughty then he would hit you with sticks.  In some regions Krampus has [...]

By |2018-12-19T14:51:37-05:00December 21st, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 10

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 9

In Costa Rica, rice pudding or "Arroz con Leche" is a traditional dish for many holidays including Christmas time. Au pair Wendy, currently in Robin Leon's Austin, Texas cluster, shared this delicious traditional recipe. Photo credit: www.oliviascuisine.com Arroz con Leche Servings: 12 INGREDIENTS: * 1 cup of white rice * 2 cups of [...]

By |2018-12-20T14:24:39-05:00December 20th, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 9

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 7

Today we will visit Africa.  Christmas is not an African festival but it was adopted into many cultures after colonialism by Portugal, the Netherlands and Britain who imposed the Christian religion. Below are 25 ways to say Merry Christmas in various African languages. Afrikaans (South Africa, Namibia) – Geseënde Kersfees Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin) [...]

By |2018-12-18T01:03:42-05:00December 18th, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 7

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 6

Wales is where we will go for Day 6 of Christmas traditions around the world. The celebration of Mari Lwyd (caroling with dead horses) is not a particular date.  However it does take place between Christmas and late January. One person will dress as a horse with an actual horse skull and is usually accompanied [...]

By |2018-12-17T17:18:13-05:00December 17th, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 6

12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 5

Mexico is where we will be for Day 5. Posadas Piñatas In Mexico the Christmas festivities begin with a series of 9 parties from December 16-24. The posada's consist of a reenactment of Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room at the inn. At the party, Christmas carols are sung, and a [...]

By |2018-12-13T17:36:58-05:00December 16th, 2018|Meet Your Global Neighbor|Comments Off on 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 5
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