I remember my Hindu-Jewish Christmas. I was working at a startup in the midwest. We hired lots of graduated students, including one from Israel and one from Bangalore India. They were curious about Christmas so we invited them to come to ours!
Two young kids under 10, a new house in the country and perfect weather. They arrived, and since they had heard about the gift-giving part they brought gifts! For the family, way nicer than they had to for a hostess gift but exclamations all around and thanks and we use that giant red baking pot to this day.
The Indian lad was just married and she was so curious and funny and happy to be with family - they had found America to be so quiet and empty! To be in a full house again with kids and noise and decorations and ceremony - she was ecstatic.
We introduced all the foods (my wife was a champ and had come up with things everybody could eat! A Christmas miracle in itself) and the trappings (lights and trees and drinks and songs) and had a lovely loud silly evening.
Later, each of those co-worker mentioned independently that though they'd lived in America for years, that was the very first time they'd been invited into an American's home. They were so grateful. Even today, thirty years later, I can call either of those guys and be greeted like an old Uncle.
So yeah, I remember that one from time to time and smile.
Two young kids under 10, a new house in the country and perfect weather. They arrived, and since they had heard about the gift-giving part they brought gifts! For the family, way nicer than they had to for a hostess gift but exclamations all around and thanks and we use that giant red baking pot to this day.
The Indian lad was just married and she was so curious and funny and happy to be with family - they had found America to be so quiet and empty! To be in a full house again with kids and noise and decorations and ceremony - she was ecstatic.
We introduced all the foods (my wife was a champ and had come up with things everybody could eat! A Christmas miracle in itself) and the trappings (lights and trees and drinks and songs) and had a lovely loud silly evening.
Later, each of those co-worker mentioned independently that though they'd lived in America for years, that was the very first time they'd been invited into an American's home. They were so grateful. Even today, thirty years later, I can call either of those guys and be greeted like an old Uncle.
So yeah, I remember that one from time to time and smile.