Holiday Traditions That Work for Overseas Families

“I was born in El Salvador, but I don’t speak Spanish.  I’m supposed to be both American and Salvadoran, but I didn’t grow up in either place. I grew up in Turkey, where I’m a foreigner.” My daughter said this just the other night when we were discussing Christmas.

December can be a bittersweet month for cross-cultural workers and their children.  Back home we know people are decorating their homes, listening to carols, going Christmas shopping, and rehearsing for Christmas choirs and pageants, but here in Izmir-on-the-Aegean, it’s business as usual.  In fact, the weather begins to gray, and early sunsets, combined with spiritual darkness, can make for a dim and gloomy month.

If you’re overseas, maybe you don’t feel much like celebrating. 


You may be experiencing the heart ache of missing home and loved ones. You may be busy and stressed with seasonal ministry activities. However, even when we don’t much feel like it, observing a few simple family traditions that can lessen our homesickness and help us focus on enjoying our lives here and now. They give our children a sense of family and belonging, and can even bring a renewed sense of Christ’s light in our homes.

One secret to enjoying Christmas traditions is to keep them simple.  Instead of killing yourself to get it all done, it’s better to chose a few simple things that work for your family.  If you have toddlers, fancy and expensive decorations may not work for you. I don’t making oodles of Christmas cookies any more.  I found I ate half of them myself and gained 5 pounds every December.  The other half would go stale by Christmas. So I let go of a tradition that wasn’t working for me!

Here are some of my favorite Christmas traditions:

Advent Wreath

I wrote about this last week.

Jesse Tree

For the first time this year, I printed Ann Voskamp’sJesse tree ornaments, and we’re reading through God’s story of redemption, from the Creation to Christ. 

Secret Pals

We’re just a family of four, but we draw names and spend a week leaving little treats for each other.

Decorate your Home

If you’re preparing to go overseas, make room in your luggage for a few special holiday momentos. (Or do as I did and take a whole suitcase full!)

Give your family the gift of time.

Make family dinner together a priority during busy December, or have a movie night or games night once a week.

Contact loved ones back home more frequently

My brothers and I e-mailed several times last week sharing and laughing over our Christmas memories.

Make Christmas Cookies

Sing Christmas Carols

Make and send cards

Plan a special Christmas dinner

Share with the less fortunate

Slow down to enjoy God and enjoy life

Of course I don’t do all of these. I pick and choose a few each year.

So, how about you? Which of these traditions are your favorites? Which ones work for you and your family?