Episode 4: Holidays Part 1 - Keeping Holiday Traditions Alive Across Cultures

Culture Clash Parenting

In this episode, we kick off our holiday series with a lively discussion about blending and preserving holiday traditions from our cultures. We specifically talk about three favorites (that all revolve around food!): Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Chandeleur. We share our experiences as parents navigating holiday celebrations across countries and traditions and how we're teaching our kids the meaning behind each holiday while juggling the busy season.
Tune in to hear our stories, laughter, and tips for making the holidays meaningful, no matter where you are.

Topics Discussed:

• The challenges and joys of blending holidays from multiple cultures
• How food traditions create connection during the holiday season
• The differences between European and American celebrations of Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Chandeleur
• Teaching kids about gratitude, family, and cultural traditions

Vocabulary Shared in This Episode:

• Thanksgiving (English): A harvest holiday centered around gratitude, food, and family gatherings and celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November
• Das Erntedankfest (German): Literally "the harvest thank festival," a religious harvest celebration
• Halloween (English): Celebrated on October 31, known for costumes, candy, and spooky fun. In other traditions, this day is observed as Samhain or All Hallows’ Eve, marking a time to honor the dead and the transition into winter.
• Trick or Treat (English) / Un bonbon ou un sort (French): The iconic phrase kids use to ask for candy
• Allerheiligen/Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): Celebrated on November 1, a day to honor the dead and remember loved ones who have passed away, often marked by visiting cemeteries and leaving flowers.
• Sankt Martin/Martinstag (German): Celebrating Saint Martin of Tours on November 11th with lantern parades and baked treats
• Weckmann (German): A sweet bread shaped like a gingerbread man with a pipe, traditionally given on Sankt Martin's Day
• Chandeleur (French): Also known as Candlemas, a Christian holiday commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the temple. In modern France, it is primarily celebrated by making and eating crêpes, with traditions like flipping crêpes for good luck.

We Want to Hear from You:
What are your favorite holiday traditions, and how do you keep them alive across cultures? Do you celebrate any of the holidays we discussed, or have a unique tradition to share? We’d love to hear your stories! Send us a message or tag us on Instagram to join the conversation.

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We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!
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This episode was loving produced by Marisa & Astrid.
Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music