Celebrating the Holidays Abroad: A Military Family’s Guide
Written by Poli Dimitrova
The holiday season is known as a time of cheer and joy, filled with laughter over shared family meals. But for military families, especially those celebrating the holidays abroad, it might feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. As you listen to festive songs and happily wrap your children’s presents, homesickness and loneliness might quietly creep in. And that’s okay. Missing familiar faces and navigating new holiday traditions can make the season feel bittersweet.
Don’t let these feelings take away the magic of the holiday season. Through intention, support, and a small dose of creativity, you can still create meaningful moments that fill your home with joy, wherever you might be!
Keep Traditions Close, Even When Far Away
No matter where life takes us, the most important thing is to cherish our traditions, which provide comfort and a sense of belonging. This is particularly true in the context of the hardships of military life when living far from home.
As someone originally from Bulgaria, I have technically been away from “home” for the last 15 years (even before becoming a military spouse). Holding onto my culture and traditions has always been my way to feel connected and grounded. Ever since having a child, whom we are raising to be bilingual, I have become even more intentional about making every holiday special, building strong roots even from afar.
My husband and I have always enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings for other military families who are also far away from home. We love welcoming everyone in and making the season feel a little less lonely. We usually start with a fun activity to get everyone engaged and laughing. As the day settles in, we relax with drinks and good conversation before — undoubtedly the most important part — a table full of food. It is always a beautiful blend of cuisines—a perfect reflection of the military community’s diversity!
So if you are having a hard time keeping your traditions alive, why not start with food — it is always the way to people’s hearts!
Looking for other ideas? How about packing a special “holiday box” filled with your most cherished decorations and keepsakes, that you put up wherever you go. Or maybe recreating a special family recipe, even if you have to use slightly different local ingredients — it might turn out even better.
Regardless of what you choose, it’s important to remember that “home” doesn’t have to be a physical location. It lives in your heart, your traditions, and your rituals, and could be easily replicated anywhere in the world!
Celebrate the Local Culture
While carrying your traditions wherever you go can be incredibly comforting, embracing the local culture can deepen your connection to your host country and community. Immersing your family in the host country’s holidays and customs is a great way to add another day of festivities to the calendar — because who doesn’t love an excuse for more food, more lights, and more dessert? But beyond the extra cheer, it is also a meaningful way to teach children about cultural diversity, adaptability, and the joy of celebrating in new ways.
As a military family living in Italy, we are especially excited to experience our first Christmas here. We truly enjoyed the Pasqua/Easter tradition of picnicking outdoors and sharing giant chocolate eggs. Now we can’t wait to see what the winter season brings — we only glimpsed the festive lights when we first arrived in Italy in January. These experiences will not replace our familiar traditions; they will enhance them. Blending old and new is part of what makes military holiday life so unique after all!
Stay Emotionally Connected to Loved Ones
Many would agree that one of the most challenging parts of military life is being far away from family and loved ones. That distance feels especially heavy during holidays abroad. The season filled with shared meals, familiar laughter, and family traditions is when homesickness tends to hit the hardest.
So if you are feeling extra lonely this time of year, trust me, you are not alone. Give yourself grace, and know that it’s okay to miss home. There are still ways to lift your spirits and stay emotionally connected even when separated by oceans and time zones.
Video Call Traditions
Video calls are one of the easiest ways to stay connected with loved ones. That being said, between time zone differences and the chaos of military life, it is not always easy to make them happen. If you are struggling to coordinate, try scheduling a recurring call, especially during the holiday season. Having it on the calendar each week takes the pressure off and gives everyone something to look forward to.
You can even plan a “theme” for each call — something fun or meaningful like decorating the tree, baking holiday cookies, opening gifts “together,” or sitting down for a virtual meal. Do not get me wrong, it is never the same as being in the same room, but it can come pretty close. Moreover, the effort to stay connected often means more than the activity itself.
Digital Gift Exchanges
Let’s be honest. Organizing a Secret Santa with extended family spread across states, countries, or even continents can feel nearly impossible. From international shipping costs to customs delays and additional fees, sending physical gifts can be a stressful and expensive task (which no one really needs or wants during holidays abroad). A great idea is to try a digital gift excha
Shared Photo Albums
This one is a favorite in our family. My husband’s side has a huge extended family with lots of kids, but everyone lives in different places. To stay connected, we use a shared Google Photos album where each family regularly adds pictures with a short life update. It is a simple way to keep track of what everyone is up to, even when we don’t get to see each other often.
Grandparents are part of the album too, and it is always a special treat when they upload videos of themselves reading a story. The kids love to see and hear them, especially during long stretches between visits.
Kid-Friendly Connection Tools
Staying connected with loved ones might take a bit more creativity when it comes to kids, but it is just as important, if not more so. It’s a great way to make them feel grounded, emotionally supported, and part of a larger family network, even from far away.
Here are a few fun and meaningful ways to help kids stay connected during the holidays abroad:
- Record and Send Video Messages – Your children can create short video greetings or sing a holiday song.
- Create an Art Project to Mail – This is a favorite in our family. Ever since our son was born, we would create small (probably not masterpieces) paintings themed according to the season and then mail them to our loved ones. Use crayons, markers, and stickers, and let your imagination run freely.
- Holiday Pen Pals – This could be perfect for the slightly older children. Pair them with a cousin so they can exchange cards or little notes throughout the season.
- Collaborate Online – Perfect for teens who enjoy spending time online. From slideshows to writing a holiday short story, this could be great for both staying connected and being creative at the same time.
- Storytime with Grandparents – Ask grandparents to record themselves reading a favorite holiday book.
- Virtual Holiday Countdown – A shared calendar with relatives with the same simple daily activity that everyone needs to complete, take a photo, and share with the others.
Prioritize Mental Wellness During the Season
The holiday season can bring up complex emotions, especially when you are far from home, loved ones, or familiar traditions. It’s essential to prioritize mental health for both yourself and your family. Remember that feelings of sadness,
homesickness, or anxiety are common and should not be ignored. Create space for open conversations, whether with your partner, extended family back home, or local friends. Even if they don’t fully understand what you are going through, just feeling heard can make all the difference.
My absolute favorite way to prioritize my mental wellness is through self-care. And I am not talking about the unrealistic 10-step routines or splurging on shopping therapy. I am talking about cheap, easy, and quick ways to get your mind off things — a solo walk in the neighborhood, journaling for 10 minutes, or losing yourself in a new book. These might sound small, but these quiet moments can go a very long way in helping you reset, recharge, and stay grounded during the holidays.
The Role of ASYMCA during the Holiday Season
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) plays a vital role in supporting military families year-round — and that support becomes even more meaningful during the holiday season. Stateside or abroad, ASYMCA programs can help with the emotional and financial gaps many families face this time of year.
From tree lightings and visits from Santa to craft days, ASYMCA hosts numerous family-friendly events that bring service members and their loved ones together — even when they are far from extended family. For instance, many ASYMCA branches organize toy drives for military parents to “shop” for their children at no cost. It’s a small gesture with a significant impact on morale and holiday spirit. Distributing food baskets to junior enlisted families is another essential program ensuring no table stays empty during the holidays.
Furthermore, ASYMCA’s commitment extends beyond December and its branch locations. You can reach out at any time of the year from any place in the world and ask for military support — help from ASYMCA is always within reach.
No matter where you find yourself this holiday season, you can create joyful, meaningful moments through connection and intention. Get creative, blend the old with the new, celebrate, and reach out. This military holiday might look different from years past, but that doesn’t make it any less special. And for those of you looking for a little extra support, the ASYMCA is here to help, even if you are on the other side of the world.
