Holidays are exciting times for children! There are special foods, clothing, decorations, music, and gatherings. With an au pair, the excitement becomes even greater because they get to share the au pair’s traditions as well as their own. For example, Northern European traditions include celebrating St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th) when children put shoes outside their bedroom door in hopes of getting a small wrapped gift, or a special piece of candy. So having an au pair from Germany or Sweden can mean that this becomes part of your family tradition! Children in Israel celebrate Hanukkah with special crafts and songs that we may not be familiar with in the U.S., but I’m sure many of us would love to learn. Mexican children enact a Posada, seeking ‘room at an inn’ and get their gifts on Epiphany Day. So an au pair from Mexico could make a Three Kings Cake on January 6th, and this could become something your family keeps.

This is one of the many benefits that au pairs can bring to your family. Children exposed to different traditions grow up to be adults with a broader world view. And this is a pretty fun way to slip a little education into their lives!

For more information about Christmas around the world, visit http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/
For more information about Hanukkah around the world, visit http://unitedwithisrael.org/jews-celebrate-hanukkah/