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Recently, area Cultural Care Au Pairs from around the world celebrated their first holiday season in the United States by gathering together to share holiday traditions celebrated in their native countries, as well as experience a traditional American celebration. The au pairs were joined by their local childcare coordinators and participated in holiday patty where everyone brought a dish from their own country. These au pairs, together representing Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Australia, Venezuela, Austria, Columbia, Mexico and Poland, are currently living with families in Hillsdale, Washington Township, Woodcliff Lake, Montvale, Park Ridge, Westwood, Fair Lawn and more as part of Cultural Care Au

Pair's intercultural exchange and, childcare program. They provide up to 45 hours per week of flexible, affordable childcare for local families while taking classes and experienciug life in America for up to two years. "The holiday party really speaks to the nature of hosting an au pair - people coming together to learn and teach their children about different parts of the world. It is wonderful to be a part of it each year;' said Jackie Tobin, local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair. "After all, the spirit of the holidays is something everyone can appreciate, no matter where they call home." Some of the holiday traditions shared by local Cultural Care Au

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Recently, area Cultural Care Au Pairs from around the world celebrated their first holiday season in the United States by gathering together to share holiday traditions celebrated in their native countries, as well as experience a traditional American celebration . Pairs included: Brazil: On Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Jan. 6, children put their shoes beside the window or outside the door, hoping that in the night their shoes will be filled with candy by the three wise men. Czech Republic: Three Kings Day (Tri Kralu), the last day of Christmas historically celebrated on Jan. 6, is celebrated by young boys in the Czech Republic. They wear white robes and paper crowns and visit neighboring homes. At each home they write the letters "K+M+B" (Kasper, Melchoir and Balthazar) .ndth~ year in honor of the three wise men. Germany: Advent is cele Poland: St Nicolas Day is brated in German with an advent celebrated on Dec. 6. when parcandle. A candle is marked with the ents place small presents under dates Dec.' 1-24. As a countdown their children's pillows or in their for Christmas, each night the can- . shoes. Polish children wake up to dle is lit and burned just until it hits small toys and candies in their the next day's date. shoes. Sweden: The feast of St. Mexico: Mexicans celebrate Lucia is celebrated on Dec. 13. Christmas by hosting Posados, reenactments the Biblical family's Young girls awaken their families wearing crowns of candles and quest for lodging. In Mexican neighborhoods, each family takes a white robes, symbolically repreturn playing innkeeper. Only at the senting the bringing of light into third home is the Biblical family the darkness of winter. The same allowed lodging, and the neighbors ceremony is repeated in schools celebrate with a festive Christmas and office. gathering featuring traditional For more information on pinatas. hosting an au pair. contact Jackie Tobin at (201) 664-4496 or visit

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