Holidays Around the World

A Guide to Enjoying Host Country Holiday Traditions

For expatriates and their families

celebrating the holidays outside of

their home country, new traditions

may seem foreign and a bit

overwhelming when compared to

celebrations at home.

In addition to

keeping old

traditions intact,

transferees should

forge new ways of

celebrating by

learning about,

embracing and

honoring new

customs in the host

location.

For those celebrating

around the world, here

are overviews of

holiday celebrations in

a few select countries,

as well as some tips to

ease homesickness

during this festive time

of year.

Sweden

Feast Day of Santa Lucia, Start of Christmas

Season

On December 13th each year, the eldest daughter in a Swedish family reenacts the legend of Santa Lucia, who wore a wreath of candles on her head to help guide Christians through dark tunnels to safety. The

daughters wear a white gown, an illuminated crown, and serve her parents saffron buns and coffee in bed to evoke

Lucia’s spirit of compassion.

Puerto Rico

Asalto: A Traveling Party of Carolers

During the Christmas season, a group of friends stop at another friend’s house unannounced to sing and dance, while the host serves

traditional asopao de pollo. The party moves from house to house and the festivities continue until sunrise.

Poland

Wigilia: Christmas Eve Supper

Children are sent outside to look for the first evening

star, which marks the beginning of the meal. This fish dinner is accompanied

by a piece of oplatek, which is a paper-thin wafer with

the Nativity scene embossed on it. Guests

share the wafer and offer one another a wish. A seat is left empty at the table to

welcome a stranger.

Finland

New Year’s Eve Fortune-Telling Ritual

This tradition involves pouring melted tin into a bucket of snow or cold water. As the tin hardens, the shape is held up to a light to cast a

shadow. Your fortune is revealed by the shape of the shadow.

Brazil

New Year’s Eve on the Beach

On the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, revelers watch fireworks, light candles

and toss flowers into the ocean as an offering to the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the seas, Yemanja, who represents abundance,

safety and fertility.

Spain

The 12 Grapes of Noche Vieja, New Year’s

Eve

At the stroke of midnight, a tradition in Spain is to eat one grape at every chime, no matter where you are in the world. This ritual began a century ago after a good harvest and is celebrated each New Year’s

Eve in hopes of good luck and prosperity in the new year.

Philippines

Polka Dots and Coins, New Year’s Eve

Circles are important in many cultures, including the Philippines. To bring

good fortune and prosperity in the New Year, men and women

wear polka dot-patterned clothing and keep coins in their pockets during New Year’s Eve celebrations. They also stock-up on round foods, such as

grapes.

Greece

Saint Basil’s Day, New Year’s Day

Saint Basil was a fourth-century bishop who founded the Greek Orthodox Church

and was know for his generosity. Greeks celebrate him with a feast that includes Vassilopita, a cake with coin baked inside. Whoever finds

the coin will have good fortune and happiness in the

new year.

Tips for Happy Host Country Holidays

• If allowed at your office, host a holiday party with your staff to build teamwork and camaraderie, and invite families to participate in the festivities

• Find seasonal events and traditions to participate in with your family to feel more engaged with the host country culture

Tips for Happy Host Country Holidays

• Check your policy to see if return visits are included so that you can take the opportunity to travel home for the holidays

• With numerous electronic methods to stay in touch, using internet video conferencing with family back home can really help you feel connected during the holidays

Paragon would like to extend the warmest of

holiday wishes to our clients, transferees, employees

& partners. From each and every one of us at

Paragon, we wish you abundance, happiness and

peace in a

new year filled with hope.

www.paragonrelocation.com

Happiest of Holidays!