Celebrating Holidays Abroad | SEND International | CN & TH

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Celebrating Holidays in a Foreign Land

First H oliday Away From Home

When we were in China, we learned that the Chinese celebrate Christmas like a trend or a fun activity as they view it more like a western cultural thing. Since family and food are at the core of Filipino Christmas celebrations, we decided to bring this part of our culture by inviting local friends , and even strangers , and cooked food for them!

We blended a lot of Chinese and Filipino flavors, and it was a wonderful way of starting conversations with the Chinese locals. They were often amazed with our flavor combinations that used more sweets, and we had the most fun with gift exchanges. Above all, it was the perfect opportunity to share with them about the significance of the birth of Christ, and what this holiday truly meant .

When Chinese New Year came, it was our turn to be invited by our local friends. Our anticipation grew not only for the festivities but also for the chance to strengthen the bonds within our community. The diverse array of invitations we receive d allow ed us to immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of traditions that make that time of year special for each family.

Adapting to a New Culture

When we moved to Thailand, we learned about the unique traditions of Thai and Shan people, especially in their Christmas and New year celebrations. They don’t really celebrate Christmas, but they love going to the malls to savor the fun and enjoy the Christmas music.

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