Holidays and the Seasons

I have never carved a jack-o-lantern. This statement always gets a surprised reaction from my students. Growing up in the Southern Hemisphere, Halloween is in the Spring, not Autumn. A lot of the seasonal activities tied to Halloween are not celebrated back home. But we still celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costume, going trick or treating, and eating candy. We can still enjoy Halloween even if it is not in Autumn.

Some holidays throughout the year and strongly tied to the seasons, and yet we have found ways to enjoy them in our own way in different parts of the world. It always comes as a shock to many people but for us it is normal and just our own way of living. Christmas is associated with winter and snow, but we have replaced snow with sand and beaches. It works for us and is not strange at all. Rather a cold snowy Christmas feels strange to us. What I think it important is to understand that holidays are celebrated in all kinds of ways around the world. There is not a ‘correct’ way to celebrate them. I also think this is a great conversation topic when talking with people from around the world. Find out how they celebrate worldwide holidays, and how they differ in their own cultures.