Comments on: Flashback Friday: Spending Holidays Abroad

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:19:55 +0000

Thanks, Brandy! I hope you had a lovely holiday season.

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:17:20 +0000

I like that idea a lot. My Thanksgiving this year was far from traditional, but ended up being a lot of fun!

By: John Bocskay

John Bocskay — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 01:54:42 +0000

As a long time expat in Korea, I can certainly relate. It’s gotten easier for me the longer I’ve been away. For me it’s also been about adapting traditions to fit or making new ones entirely as opposed to trying to recreate something as best I can, if that makes sense.

By: brandy bell

brandy bell — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:03:04 +0000

Thanks for these reminders, Amanda- it’s nice to find a way to make the holiday season special as an ex-pat or traveler! Hope you’re having happy holidays, all the best from Madrid

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:15:34 +0000

Ah, 11 is a huge undertaking! I was nervous enough cooking for four One of the great things about Thanksgiving is that although it is an American holiday, the concept is universal. And the food is good. So everyone can get involved.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:00:05 +0000

This will be my 5th Thanksgiving and 4th Christmas away from home… but it seems that no matter where I am, if I’m willing to share American food/traditions, there are plenty of people willing to participate I offered to make Thanksgiving dinner for my au pair family in Paris… they were so excited that they invited 5 other people! Nothing like cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner alone for 11 people!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:02:25 +0000

I totally agree about making your own party. I spent last Thanksgiving and Christmas with host families in Europe. I was pretty lucky: At Thanksgiving one of the member’s of the host family was a professional chef, and he decided it would be fun to cook a proper Thanksgiving dinner. At Christmas, the host family bought myself and the other work exchangers little gifts, and made us a part of their family Christmas. It was hard being away from home, but the makeshift families we can form abroad are also really touching.

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:12:24 +0000

Your family is going to LOVE it! My host parents were just as excited as the kids, and everyone loved hearing about Thanksgiving and saying what they were thankful for. And don’t worry if it’s not 100 percent like it would be at home, a pre-cooked turkey will be more than fine

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:10:02 +0000

I agree! Even if you think it won’t mean a lot, you’ll probably end up feeling down. Sharing American holidays with non-Americans is so much fun. That Thanksgiving in Italy was probably my favorite holiday ever.

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:08:44 +0000

The sweet potato and marshmallow dish is an American classic I’m glad you got to experience an American Thanksgiving. I love introducing people to new holidays, and learning about holidays I’ve never celebrated- it’s part of the beauty of living abroad!