Take some time today to make a surprise for Grandparents Day. This is not a widely celebrated holiday, so grandparents will appreciate being remembered and would particularly enjoy a homemade gift or card.
Tag Archives: Holiday
Presidents Day
So What is Presidents Day Anyway?
Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
To see a listing of all U.S. presidents go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents. Click on each president to find out who they were and what they achieved during their presidency. Most American school children have to learn their presidents, this is a great site to go through with them and test their knowledge!
Annual Holiday Party
Our cluster meeting last night was so much fun!
To celebrate the holidays each au pair brought a dish that reminded them of home. Food always helps bring people together and often helps with homesickness too. After sharing some wonderful dish we all played a really fun game: everyone had to hold a plate on their head and draw specific items blindly (a tree, a fireplace next to the tree, stockings on the fireplace, ornaments, gifts, etc). See a picture of the 3 winners.
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Click here for more safety tips
Safe Toys and Gifts Month – Before school vacation starts, take some time to check toys for broken parts, sharp edges and loose pieces that could be swallowed by very young children. If you are choosing a holiday gift for children you care for, make sure any toy is age appropriate and cannot harm the child.
5 Thanksgiving Tips for Au Pairs & Host Parents
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. Even though a few other countries also celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s still considered a uniquely American holiday, one that the au pairs look forward to experiencing. You can learn more about it here.
“I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with my host family. It was as I imagined! So much food to try. Everyone got dressed up and shared what they were thankful for. It was so warm and special. The next day we began to prepare for Christmas. It was magical.” Selina from Germany
Below you will find some tips to help you have a terrific Thanksgiving experience.
Host Parents
1. Please plan to include your au pair in your Thanksgiving celebration, if at all possible. Thanksgiving with an au pair offers an opportunity to consider the relevance of the history and meaning of Thanksgiving as you compare the hospitality offered by the Native Americans to the recently arrived Pilgrims and the hospitality you offer your au pair.
2. If you are traveling or will not be able to invite your au pair to join you for Thanksgiving, give her plenty of notice and help her make alternate plans. You don’t want to leave your au pair alone over the holiday.
Au Pairs
3. If you are invited to attend dinner, please let your family know within 5 days of the invitation, whether you are planning to attend. It is considered rude in America to accept the invitation for dinner and then change your mind later in the month. Please be thoughtful.
4. Make sure to discuss time off during this holiday weekend. Many host families work the Friday after Thanksgiving so do not assume you have this day off or the entire weekend. Talk to your host family, BEFORE you make any plans.
5. If your host family is unable to include you in their Thanksgiving plans, please let me know if you have trouble making other plans. You may be able to join a friend and their host family for the holiday dinner.
Bonus Tip for the Kids
If you are looking for a fun recipe to make with your au pair, check out these turkey cupcakes. Find more fun activities and recipes on the Au Pair in America Fall Holidays pinboard.
Photo: Tim Sackton (Flickr)
Tips for the Holidays for Au Pairs and Host Families
From Christine Connally, Community Counselor in MD:
Childcare focus – Check with your host parents before you buy a child a toy that requires close supervision – electrically operated toys, shooting toys and games, chemistry sets, and the like. Remember, too, that younger children may have access to toys intended for older children once the toy has been brought into the home.
Driving – Traffic tends to be heavier around the Holidays. My best advice is to leave earlier than normal and take your time. Be the “bigger person” and allow that one last car to slip in ahead of you. It may avoid an accident. Remember au pairs can be asked to pay up to $500 of the deductible for an accident.
Healthy eating – is your house filled with treats, and goodies that are tempting you? It is the season, and you are here for a cultural exchange, so try some of the traditional sweets your host family is offering, but it is a good idea to downsize your portions – how much you eat is as important as what you eat.
Hints for success – If there is an alarm system for the house, be sure that the au pair is listed with the alarm company as a legitimate user of the alarm. Also, the au pair must know the appropriate security code in case of a false alarm.
Photo: Benjamin Chun
Halloween Health and Safety Tips
From cdc.gov
Photo: Steven Depolo
For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.
Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
Going trick-or-treating?
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Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. | |||
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Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. | |||
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Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. | |||
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Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. | |||
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Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house. | |||
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Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. | |||
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Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. | |||
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Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. | |||
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Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. | |||
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Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. | |||
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Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. | |||
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Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. | |||
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Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
Annual Holiday Party
This week we all met for our Annual Au Pair Holiday Party. Every au pair was asked to bring a favorite holiday dish that is served in her country.
We all had a great time and got to try many different treats from all around the world.
Annual Holiday Party
This week we all met for our Annual Au Pair Holiday Party. Every au pair was asked to bring a favorite holiday dish that is served in her country.
We all had a great time and got to try many different treats from all around the world.
Annual Holiday Party
This weekend we all met for our Annual Au Pair Holiday Party. Every au pair was asked to bring a favorite holiday dish that is served in her country.
We all had a great time and got to try many different treats from all around the world.
