Holidays as an Expat | Expat Sam

Expat: ...Uh, wait a minute. I just found a really cheap flight (Thanks SkyScanner) to [insert anywhere in the world]. Oh the holidays...

The holidays are upon us. And because of Western influence, even if you are an expat living in a place that doesn’t celebrate Christian holidays, you are more likely than not going to be reminded of the fact that it is holiday season. The holidays, while wonderful, can also be a stressful time for many people. But, being an expat does not always exempt you from that stress. The stress just might be a little...different.

Personally, Zach and I don’t really get into the holiday spirit - for any holiday or even birthday. This will be our seventh or eighth holiday season as expats, and we don’t really celebrate. We don’t put up Christmas trees, buy each other presents, play Christmas music, etc. But, to be fair, we didn’t do much of that when we were living in our home country either. Really, the holidays - how you celebrate and who you celebrate with - are what you want them to be. Here are a few things you might want to consider when deciding how you want to spend your holiday.

Traveling during Christmas break with a friend

Do I Stay, or Do I Go “Home”?

If you are one of the fortunate expats who gets days or even weeks off during the holiday season, a big dilemma you might be faced with is if you should go back to your home country, stay where you are, or travel. While many expats have the luxury of choice, it can be quite daunting. Many things play into that decision. If you have young children, you may want to be around family to keep traditions alive. Or, you may want to start your own traditions in your new environment. Or even still, do you take this opportunity to take a vacation and experience the holiday in a totally new place?

Do I Keep Holiday Traditions or Make New Ones?

Are you someone who says it isn’t Christmas until gifts are under the tree? Do you have to dye your own eggs at Easter? What about shooting fireworks off during the Fourth of July? If those things are important to you, make a point to do them. Many of my friends can’t live without putting up a tree at Christmas even though they are going to be traveling for several weeks before and after December 25th. You know what? It makes them happy and gets them into the holiday spirit. One year, for the Fourth of July, we were on a beach in Busan, South Korea. Several of us bought sparklers and had a mini “fireworks” session. It wasn’t anything big, but it was our own way of keeping a Fourth of July tradition alive. Or, do you start your own traditions? Some families I know take a few small gifts with them wherever they are traveling and let the children open their gifts. Then, when return home, they get to open more.

Holiday traditions and opening gifts

If You Don’t Go Back "Home" How Much Do You Want to Be Part of the Family Festivities?

If you are not able to go “home” for the holidays, or if you are traveling, do you want to continue to share in the festivities back in your home country? Some people send Christmas cards of them dressed in traditional wear from their new country. Me, I try to Skype with my family. It can get pretty crazy, because they will put me on the tv, and I can talk with whomever walks by. Sometimes it’s just me and my sister’s in-laws “sitting” in the living room not knowing what to say to each other - haha - but it’s fun to be involved in the holiday celebration. What’s torturous is when they show you the food they have on their plates.

The holidays are also great times to reach out to family and friends that you haven’t spoken to in a while. Call, send an email, or reach out on social media. It’s great to hear from friends during the holiday, especially ones who you haven’t heard from in a while and are so far away.

How Do I Want to Celebrate?

Do you want to recreate Christmases past with a table full of people and a turkey? Families aren’t the only ones who are allowed to have turkeys and tables full of people. Get your friends involved. “Friendsgivings” and Christmas dinners with friends can be great substitutes. And, unless you are absolutely set on it, don’t feel like you have to be the one to cook the whole Thanksgiving dinner. Make it a potluck and save yourself some of the stress. Plus, it’s a great way to learn about other families’ holiday traditions. Speaking of holiday traditions, Josh and Kalie, from ExpatsEverywhere, invited us to attend our first Hanukkah celebration at their apartment in South Korea a few years ago. They definitely opened my eyes to a new way of celebrating the holidays.

Thanksgiving potluck style with friends

Should I Celebrate Like a Local?

In Korea, Christmas is more of a couple’s holiday, similar to Valentine’s Day. Since Qatar is a Muslim country, Christmas is not celebrated. Yet most, if not all, of the stores will have huge discounts. However, instead of it being called “Black Friday” like in the U.S., it is called “White Friday” in the Middle East. If you are wanting to have a big feast with all of the traditional holiday foods, you may have to rethink that. It might be difficult to find all of the ingredients. Having a big meal with local foods might just be the next best alternative.

Christmas in Qatar

Ultimately, It’s Your Decision!

Above all, the holidays should be celebrated however you want, whether you are an expat or not. Last year, Zach and I decided not to go anywhere for the winter holiday. We stayed in Qatar, where we are currently living. We did some exploring in the country we had been living in for four months, enjoyed the beautiful weather, caught up with family and friends, and watched a lot of Netflix. On Christmas Day, we had dinner at a hotel bar. For New Years Eve, we stayed in, watched movies, and fell asleep before 11pm. But, we were happy.

Christmas Gifts Mailed to Us