Christmas is all about joy and warmth, and it is most famously a time for family and friends. As a result, for travelers, expats, and anyone living far from home Christmas can be surprisingly tough. Creating the familiar comforts of a homespun Christmas can be a challenge in a foreign place, and the festive season can make you feel even further from home.
But don’t despair! With a little creativity and some careful planning, you can create a festive atmosphere that feels like home wherever you are! So whether you are sailing from the Sunshine State for a Christmas getaway or living abroad as a digital nomad, follow this guide to ensure that your Christmas is filled with as much cheer as it would be back home.
Embrace Local Traditions
Part of the joy of living abroad is discovering new cultures and exploring new traditions. This is just as important and enjoyable at Christmas as at any time of the year. Every country has its own unique holiday traditions, from German Christmas markets and Mexican posadas to Christingle oranges in England and hanging ‘Christmas cobwebs’ in the Ukraine. Incorporate these new customs into your own Christmas celebrations and embrace the local way of doing things, for a heartwarming way to celebrate the season.
Decorate with Nostalgia
Ornaments, trinkets, and other festive decor are at the heart of a traditional holiday season, so make your new home as cozy and familiar as possible to bring the feeling of Christmas with you.
Decorating with familiar ornaments and decorations from home can create a nostalgic ambiance, even if the place you are in is unfamiliar.
Invite friends and family to visit
Of course, Christmas traditions are all about people, not places or things, so why not bring a hometown Christmas to you? Invite your family to visit you in your new home or plan your getaway with a few friends, and you’ll immediately create a special holiday atmosphere, and maybe even a new festive tradition! Don’t forget if they are crossing the Mexican border, flying to Europe, or traveling to Panama, always check the immigration process to avoid any complications on their journey.
Video Calls Home
If you can’t make visits happen, then plan a few festive video calls to stay connected to the folks back home. It might not be quite the same as being there in person but it’s a great way to see familiar faces and share the experience of Christmas with the most important people in your life. Why not plan a Christmas quiz, or open presents together on Christmas morning? There are a wealth of creative ways to use video technology to share your festivities with the ones you love, wherever you are in the world.
Recreate Family Recipes
Taste and flavor are a huge part of sense memory, so bring your favorite Christmas recipes with you and recreate the holiday through the meals you make and eat. The familiar scents and tastes of home bring an instant sense of a traditional Christmas celebration and can make you feel far closer to home.
Attend Local Holiday Events
Everywhere in the world celebrates the holiday season a little differently, and everywhere has its own public celebrations. Discovering exciting and novel holiday events is a great way to remind yourself of why you are traveling and to soak up the holiday spirit wherever you are.
Celebrating the holidays in a foreign country doesn’t have to be lonely or unfamiliar, and can be an amazing experience. By blending your traditions with those of your host country you can create something new and beautiful, a Christmas you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
