What to do with young children in a Santa-less land ??

What to do with young children in a Santa-less land is probably the last thing we think we need to prepare for before moving, however finding yourself in a country where Santa doesn’t come down the chimney may be more common that you would expect.

When you move from a culture where Santa Claus is a central figure, adjusting to a new environment that doesn’t recognize the jolly old man in red can be a unique experience.

But don't worry it is easy to introduce your children to the magic of Santa Claus if they are young thanks to the hundreds of movies starring him and you can always share the stories and traditions from your own childhood.

Read books, show pictures, and recount your own childhood experiences.

This can even turn into a dorky tradition. My daughter's favourite is the Grinch and this year we did a video call and she read us The Grinch before starting the Christmas decorations

Ok back to Santa, he can still be a cherished part of your family’s holiday narrative, even if he isn’t recognized in your new community.

Of course you want to explore and embrace the unique holiday traditions of your new country.

Whether it’s a different gift-giving figure, unique customs, or diverse festive celebrations, immersing your family in the local culture is a must if you want to integrate, but nobody ever said you can only celebrate in one way, so why not taking advantage of the unique opportunity you have to celebrate in multiple ways.

If you don’t want your child to be alone celebrating with Santa or whatever your favourite home tradition may be you can always look up the nearest Expat Community and see what events they have planned.

Often you will find a Christmas party which includes meal and secret Santa for the adults and even a visit with Santa and his sac of gifts for the children.

You should also be open and share your ideals with your child’s teachers and caretakers.

When we moved to Germany, Jonathan was not yet 4 yrs old and so before Christmas I shared with his teachers that we had forwarded our address to Santa and so he promised to make a stop in Germany

They appreciated knowing what to expect and had fun sharing this tradition with the other children.

Regardless of what traditions you are used to and which ones you are just now experiencing, there are universal values which are my favourite part of Christmas and are apparent everywhere in the world such as kindness, generosity, and gratitude.

Emphasize the joy of giving, spending time with loved ones, and appreciating the festive season as a time for love and connection.

While moving to a new country may mean leaving certain holiday traditions behind, it also offers a unique opportunity to create a multicultural and enriching experience for your family.

Embrace the differences, blend the best of both worlds, and celebrate the holiday season with a sense of unity, understanding, and joy.

After all, the true magic of the holidays lies in the love we share and the memories we create together.