Many associate the holiday season with their families and the traditions they share: decorating the Christmas tree, lighting Hanukkah candles, sipping hot chocolate as snow flurries pass by the window. Because with holidays come memories of home, the season can be particularly difficult for those far away.

Homesickness strikes like a blizzard, and expatriates long for the warmth of family and friends. In addition to their loved ones, Americans overseas during the holiday season are far from the food, weather, music and decorations that they connect with the holiday season. Yet this time of year can also be joyous for American expatriates. Many use their winter vacations to travel, escape American consumerism, experience new holiday customs and share their traditions with others.

Family and Friends

"The major difference between holidays in Kenya and back in the US, is the absence of family and old friends," says Angelo D'Agostino, SJ, MD, who has lived in Kenya for the past 19 years and spends almost all of his holidays there. Expatriates around the world echo D'Agostino's sentiments: "I miss my family the most," says Antoinette Moore, who has lived in Belize for seven years.

But D'Agostino also takes solace in his new bonds: "My colleagues make up for a loss of family," he says.

Food

Eggnog, latkes, chestnuts and candy canes flavor the holiday season. But in many parts of the world, these delights are unavailable. What's more, the ingredients necessary to cook up a seasonal storm may be oceans away. But if you get your hands on American holiday foods, don't be afraid to share an old fruitcake with your new neighbors -- they might even like it!

Also remember that with the absence of American seasonal grub comes the opportunity to learn about another culinary culture. "It's been really interesting learning about the different foods that the Italians eat at Christmas," says Michelle, who has lived in Rome with her husband and son for one year. Far from her native fruitcake, she is in the land of pannetone, an Italian sweet bread-like cake with candied fruit.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

For some, snow signifies the holiday spirit, and it's impossible to imagine Santa and his reindeer making their way across Caribbean beaches. But for others, warm weather is a refreshing break. "I like the warm weather here during November and December and hearing about snow back in New York and Chicago," says Moore of Belize.

American Consumerism

"What do I miss? Definitely not the heavy emphasis on consumerism," explains Gilbert Wells, who has lived in Portugal for 11 years and celebrates all holidays there. Many expatriates appreciate their distance from the mad rush spend and the crowded malls in the United States.

However, some expatriates long for the lights, decorations and music that rouse holiday spirit back home. "The thing I miss most is the way the stores and houses are decorated for the holidays," says Andrea Lorenzetti, who has been living in Rome for 28 years.

"America is much more commercialized," says Michelle, who also lives in Rome. "But I don't mean that in a bad sense. For me, the lights, decorations and music in the malls put me in the spirit of the season."

The Universal Language of Sharing

By organizing parties, services and other events, you can share your holiday traditions and forge new ones.

D'Agostino spends his Christmases at an orphanage for HIV-positive children in Kenya. "It's all very rewarding and joyful," he says. "I like Christmas in Kenya because of the pleasant weather and the association with the children who are so much in need."

Michelle also found a way to integrate her American celebrations and her Roman residence. When she and her husband arrived in Rome last year, they were unable to find affordable English greetings cards they liked. Undaunted, they decided to create their own. "We wanted to add a Roman flare," she explains.

So they started the homemade greeting card company Greetings da Roma, which has achieved success in the past year. In addition to making homemade cards, they merge their expatriate and native cultures by hosting a Christmas party and "enjoying both cultures at the same time," says Michelle.

Ostensibly, holidays are about religion, and it is quite possible to find religious organizations throughout the world. But for many, what defines the holiday season isn't the church or temple, but the family, food, songs and celebration. "Of course, there are new friends and the spirit is the same, but the sharing is different," explains D'Agostino. And so expatriates are spreading a new holiday cheer throughout the world as they struggle to merge their own memories with their changing identities.