Home is Where Your Heart Creates It: An Expat's Guide to December Magic

Creating a Sense of Home Wherever You Are: Discover how to create a festive home abroad with heartwarming traditions and cozy decor ideas.

Dear Empowered Explorer,

Welcome to the first day of December!

As this last month of the year unfolds, there’s a unique kind of magic in the air that makes even the most seasoned traveler long for home. Sitting in my cozy corner of the world, fairy lights twinkling around me and a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate in hand, I’m reminded of how I’ve spent Christmas in different countries and cultures over the past 7 years.

Home isn’t always a place—it’s a feeling.

For those of us living abroad, especially during the holiday season, that feeling can feel harder to grasp.

But here’s the truth: home is what - and where - we make it.

It’s the warmth of traditions, the comfort of small joys, and the intentionality behind creating a space that reflects our hearts, no matter where we are in the world.

As expats, we’re often navigating a delicate balance—honoring the traditions we grew up with while embracing the culture of our host country. The good news? This balance doesn’t mean sacrificing one for the other; it’s about blending the two to create something meaningful and personal.

Let’s talk about how to adapt your traditions, embrace new ones, and truly feel at home, even when you’re far away.

Honor Your Traditions with Intention

Think about the traditions that mean the most to you. Is it decorating a tree, baking cookies, or watching a favorite Christmas movie? These rituals can serve as anchors in unfamiliar surroundings.

For a country that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, China is often hit or miss when it comes to buying decor. However, I was able to find 95% of the items I wanted on my absolute favorite shopping app, Taobao (淘寶).

Taobao has my little apartment DECKED out, you hear me?

My little apartment became a winter wonderland thanks to Taobao. Sure, there were several missing components that kept it from feeling exactly like home, but it felt festive because I infused it with my own spirit.

Here’s a tip: Don’t try to recreate everything exactly as it was. Instead, ask yourself: What makes this tradition special to me? Then adapt it in a way that fits your current reality.