Tag Archives: holiday

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)

Westchester Au Pairs Enjoy a Delicious Holiday Dessert Party

Every December, local au pairs put on their baking caps and create wonderful treats to contribute to the dessert table at the annual Holiday Dessert Party for the Westchester clusters of Au Pair in America. This year, the variety of desserts was extraordinary and it was impossible to choose a favorite. Not that that was necessary as everyone wanted to taste everything!

Here’s the link to the Holiday Dessert Party photo album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20December%20-%20Holiday%20Dessert%20Party/

Westchester Au Pairs Enjoy an American Thanksgiving

On November 14th, the Westchester Clusters of Au Pair in America gathered for an American-style Thanksgiving Dinner that everyone helped to prepare. Counselors provided four very large roast turkeys (excellently carved by Jim) and lots of Apple Cider, and Au Pairs brought an amazing variety of side dishes. The bountiful and delicious feast was enjoyed by eveyone present as witnessed by the following photos:

 

And here’s the link to all the photos from our Thanksgiving dinner: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20November%20-%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner/?albumview=slideshow

2011 International Thanksgiving Dinner

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. Au Pair in America counsleors provided the turkeys, that were skillfully carved by Jim Hamlin, and lots of apple cider. Au Pairs, who were asked to bring side dishes and desserts, outdid themselves with a wonderful array of treats from around the world. We all ate well, some discovered new foods, and everyone agreed that it was a most enjoyable evening.

Here’s the link to the 2011 International Thanksgiving Photo Album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2011%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner/?albumview=slideshow

September 28 – Rosh Hashanah

Shofar 1Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown and is a solemn celebration of the beginning of the Jewish year. Synagogue services are held on Rosh Hashanah. During the services, the shofar (a ram’s horn) is sounded.

applesandhoneyLike most Jewish holidays there are food customs associated with Rosh Hashanah. One of the most popular and well-known food customs on Rosh HaShanah has to do with dipping apple slices into honey. This sweet combination stems from an age-old Jewish tradition of eating sweet foods to express the hope for a sweet new year.