Chances are, if you are an au pair in the United States, your host family will celebrate Christmas or one of the many other wonderful holidays that occur this time of year. Common among many of these events is exchanging gifts. Here are some holiday ideas for gifts that your host family will love.

A Treat from Your Home Country

The au pair program is designed to help spread cultural awareness, and the holidays are a great time to show your host family more about your culture, and how your country celebrates this time of year. Consider:

Cooking a traditional meal or treat often served during the holidays.

Presenting traditional gifts from your country and explaining the traditions behind them.

Sharing childhood stories, legends, and lore.

Handmade with Love

You do not have to spend a lot of money on holiday gifts. In fact, making gifts for close friends and family has long been a favored Christmas tradition for many American families. Get the children involved as an extra special treat for your host parents. Popular homemade gifts include:

Cookies and other tasty treats

Knitted hats, scarves, mittens, and other apparel

Soaps, scrubs, and lotions

Candles, scented oil blends, and potpourri

Sharing Memories

Parents love keepsakes that build and make memories, and host parents are no exception. This is another idea where host children can lend a hand to create wonderful gifts that your host family will cherish for years to come. Some ideas include:

Travel mugs, tote bags, or keychains with a collage of their kid's picture

A video recording of yourself telling your host family how much you appreciate them.

Picture frames decorated with trinkets from your time with your host family.

Make Them Personal

Did you overhear your host parents mention they liked a small something in a shop? Did your host children get excited over a toy in a shop you visited? Noting these small little details can make a huge impact this holiday season. You do not have to spend a lot to find that perfect little something, as long as they are personally relevant to your host family.

The holidays all have one thing in common: Sharing a special moment with friends and family. To learn more about spending the holiday's as an au pair in America, please contact the team at EurAupair today!