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Encore of Episode 27: Balancing Christmas – Trees, Presents, Food, & Negotiating Traditions

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Balancing Christmas Encore! Last year I sat down with my brother (across an ocean) to talk about Christmas.

We were both born and raised in the USA but both ended up marrying Europeans. I married a Finn and live in Germany and my brother married a half German, half Belgian, American born, raised with European values wife. You can get to know her back in episode 5 – Third Culture Kid in Retrospect. But in this episode, we talk about Christmas for us as kids, what it has become now that we mix and match traditions with our partners, and how we embrace the magic of the season with our kids. Tangents Include: Real versus Fake Trees, Hallmark Ornaments, when to open presents, food, food and more food, where does Santa live, and more.

Spoiler Alert! Please DO NOT listen to this episode with children. There is chat about Christmas morning and more. We do not want to be responsible for the crushing of their dreams.