Being stationed abroad during the holiday season can be received with mixed emotions. Some people love it, taking it as an opportunity to be immersed in foreign traditions and experience the festivities of countries/regions outside of the United States. For others, the unknown ways and culture is frightening and incites homesickness for the comforts of well known and loved traditions. Having a beloved Christmas Spotify Playlist doesn’t always help either when all you hear is roasting chestnuts, jingle bells, ho ho hos, and white Christmases.
May this article of holiday headlines bring some comfort or reminders of home as this holiday season comes to an end.
Holiday and Christmas Shopping Spending Skyrockets: This year, there were only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, leaving an average of five days less of holiday fun, but also a last-minute-craze of shopping for gifts, which, counterintuitively, increased because there was less time to do so.
Fun Fact: Japan, although not a Abrahamic religion country, has adopted Christmas for its festivities and has popularized KFC as a Christmas Day dinner. Does your place of residence have similar shopping crazes and “American” traditions during the holiday?
Christmas Tree Lane: A neighborhood in Alameda, California, dropped everything to create a spectacular Christmas light show, jumping into the Christmas spirit. It was their 86th year of doing so, and it draws an immense crowd.
Similarly in Germany, the Germans go all-out on their Christmas markets, selling Lebkuchen (gingerbread), spices, bratwurst (sausages), beer (of course), and many traditional decorations and toys. Different regions will specialize in different things such as drinks, or pastries, or gingerbread!
Alameda, California Christmas lights (photo credit: Blair Heagerty)
New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker: The Nutcracker that plays at the Lincoln Center has been put on since 1954, and it is beloved by many. The choreography is unique in that it casts many children, more than most versions.
Fun Fact: Although the Nutcracker is a very American tradition, its premier was in St. Petersburg, Russia, the home country of the composer of the ballet, Tchaikovsky. What’s more, the nutcracker is originally a German tradition that was popularized by this ballet and story. "Yea" or "nay" on a yearly Nutcracker tradition?
Times Square Ball Drop: This year’s ball drop in Times Square was sponsored by Kia and (of course) Swarovski, celebrating the entering of 2025. Performers such as AGNEW, NYPD Marching Band, Carrie Underwood, and the Jonas Brothers all sang, danced, and celebrated through New Year’s Eve and into the New Year. Do you think this American tradition is worth braving the crowds?
Wherever you are in the world, we military teens look out for each other and I hope you had a fantastic holiday and want you to know that we are grateful for your sacrifice.
Happy Belated Holidays, and have a wonderful and safe 2025!
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