Gifts come in all shapes and sizes

This was the best gift I could have hoped for this year: my book has arrived! Now it will make its way from the printer to a store near you...

For many, the holiday season is all about giving. Yet for some host families and students, navigating this time of year can raise all sorts of questions: How much is enough? Too much? What will my student want? Will my student feel left out? Should they be asked to buy gifts for our family? Can they afford to? 

And it’s not just questions about gifts. As the family-filled festivities unfold, families may wonder how their student will feel. They may ask: Will my student get homesick (again)? How do they celebrate? Should we incorporate their traditions into ours? Should we prepare some special dishes? What if we are more religious than them, or vice versa? 

The answers to these questions will depend on the unique needs and circumstances of you and your family. And, as with many aspects of hosting, you can’t go wrong if you treat the student like they’re part of your family. The hosts who enjoy the best experiences are the ones who keep this guiding principal top of mind.

This season also presents a wonderful opportunity to learn about your student’s culture, and notice how your traditions are different from each other’s. Keep an open mind and a sense of humour. Maybe this is the year you’ll hide a trinket in a cake for Epiphany, or hang a star-shaped piñata for Posadas. If you’d like to learn more about the customs and traditions of your student, ask them! Keep in mind that many traditions span several days or weeks, so now’s the time to have those conversations. 

What about you? How do you approach the holidays with a student in your home? What new traditions have you adopted? 

No matter how you celebrate this year, I hope your holidays are filled with laughter, warmth, and the chance to gather with loved ones.