Every November, families across the country gather to share food, traditions, and gratitude for Thanksgiving. While American Thanksgiving is unique to the United States, the idea of giving thanks isn’t unique to just us! Around the world, many cultures celebrate harvests, family, and community in their own ways.
Parents in the U.S. can share these global traditions with children and open their eyes to a bigger world, one filled with customs that may look different but carry the same heart. Whether it’s a meal shared under lanterns in South Korea or a parade through a small German town, the spirit is the same: appreciation for what we have — and for one another.
Harvest Festivals Around the World
Germany: Erntedankfest
In Germany, the “harvest thanksgiving festival” called Erntedankfest takes place in late September or early October. Families decorate local churches and homes with fruits, grains, and flowers, then join parades that feature music and dancing. The holiday focuses less on feasting and more on gratitude for a successful harvest and the coming of a new season.
Pro-tip: Host an au pair from Germany and they can share this exciting tradition of gratitude with your children!
South Korea: Chuseok
One of Korea’s most important holidays, Chuseok is a three-day celebration of the autumn harvest. Families travel to their hometowns to share traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes) and pay respects to their ancestors. It’s a time to honor family connections and the blessings of abundance.
Pro-tip: Host an au pair from South Korea and they can share this exciting tradition of gratitude with your children!
Brazil: Dia de Ação de Graças
Brazil celebrates its own version of Thanksgiving, known as Dia de Ação de Graças, inspired by both American cultural customs and Christian religious traditions. Families attend church services and share special meals that blend Brazilian and North American dishes. The emphasis is on gratitude for health, family, and good fortune.
Pro-tip: Host an au pair from Brazil and they can share this exciting tradition of gratitude with your children!
Unique Ways People Express Appreciation
These holidays may differ, but the rituals that surround them can often look familiar: sharing food, telling stories, helping others, and taking time to reflect.
In Japan, there’s Kinrō Kansha no Hi — or in English, “Labor Thanksgiving Day” — which celebrates community and respect for hard work. In Liberia, Thanksgiving is marked by church gatherings and West African dishes like roasted chicken and spicy rice. And in Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated in October with a similar spirit of gratitude and harvest appreciation.
The lesson for children is simple: no matter where you live or come from, gratitude brings people together.
What Au Pairs Say About Gratitude in Their Home Countries
Au pairs bring these traditions into American homes every year. When families host an exchange visitor from abroad, Thanksgiving can become a shared cultural experience — part lesson, part celebration.
Many au pairs describe Thanksgiving as their favorite American holiday because it centers on family and appreciation. In return, they can reflect how gratitude looks in their own countries — perhaps through a special meal, a religious observance, or a simple act of kindness.
Parents can use this moment to ask questions, share stories, and invite their au pair to add something from home to the table. It’s a small gesture that helps everyone feel seen and included.
“I really liked Thanksgiving with my last (first year) host family. It’s kind of a family meeting with a lot of food and relatives getting together.”
– Au Pair in America au pair from Brazil
“I like to spend moments around the table and enjoying the food… That reminds me of Spain and my big, big family. About the pumpkin pie, I don’t know if I will like it because I’ve never tried it, but today I made a pumpkin bundt cake and it is delicious!!”
– Au Pair in America au pair from Spain
Bringing Global Traditions to Your Family Thanksgiving
You don’t have to travel the world to experience a global Thanksgiving! Small touches can make the holiday more meaningful:
- Add a dish from your au pair’s home country to your menu.
- Learn how to say “thank you” in another language.
- Play music from around the world during dinner.
- Share stories about what gratitude means to each person at the table.
By embracing traditions from other cultures, your family is creating a memorable meal, and you’re teaching your children that gratitude and understanding go hand in hand.
The World Shares One Table
Whether it’s Erntedankfest in Germany or Thanksgiving in the U.S., gratitude can be a thread that connects families everywhere. Sharing these cultural traditions reminds us that giving thanks goes beyond just something we do once a year — it’s a way of seeing the world.
Hosting an au pair brings that idea to life — helping your children experience gratitude through another culture’s eyes, and inviting them to see how kindness and appreciation truly have no borders.
Experience Thanksgiving from a global perspective! Learn how hosting an au pair can bring cultural traditions, stories, and gratitude into your home.
