Au pairs celebrate Halloween a little early

Written by Kristan Zimmer
Saturday, 31 October 2009 23:00

The au pairs came in droves to be part of a Halloween party in Old Greenwich this year. Some older first-time trick-or-treaters will be hitting the streets in costume this year — a group of local au pairs. From costume making to pumpkin carving, these young people from abroad are getting into the spirit and celebrating Halloween like only Americans do.

The au pairs, all currently living with host families in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, and Westport, were first introduced to America’s second-favorite holiday by their host families and their Local Program Manager, Lee Anna Whitely.

“Halloween may not have started here in the U.S., but the way we celebrate it is certainly unique," Ms. Whitely said last week in a press release.

The origins of our modern day Halloween began with Celtic tribes in Ireland, England and Wales hundreds of years ago. [See the Greenwich Post article "Halloween: Ever wonder why?" for more on the history of Halloween.] Among the many rich cultural traditions that managed to cross the oceans dividing the two countries was Halloween.

Now in this great melting pot country, these local ambassadors, together representing the countries of Sweden, Germany, France, Chech Republic, Solumbia, Brazil and even China, are keeping cultural exchange alive and well.

“Our au pairs love Halloween because it is the one really festive holiday that they can get into; it invites them to express themselves,” Ms. Whitely said. “They enjoy taking their host children trick-or-treating and making costumes representing their culture and home country.”

Shasha Wang is from China. She will celebrate her first Halloween as a pirate. While in the country, Ms. Wang will live with her host family in Old Greenwich, caring for their child while taking classes, improving her English and experiencing American culture the very best way — first hand.

“Every year I look forward to the excitement Halloween brings to my au pair group,” Ms. Whitely said. “It is easily one of the favorite memories of most au pairs when they head home because it is a holiday they can really share with their host families. From start to finish, Halloween encourages families to put their heads together and think creatively. Besides, a new, international perspective might just lead to the best costume on the block!”

Here are some of the ways some local au pairs celebrate Halloween in their home countries:

• In Austria, families leave bread, water and a lamp out on a table on Halloween night to welcome dead souls back to earth.

• Czech families leave two chairs for each family member near the fireplace on Halloween; one to represent each living family member and one to represent their souls.

• In Germany, people hide their knives to prevent harm from befalling the returning spirits.

• In Mexico, Latin America and Spain, Halloween is known as “El Dio de los Muertos,” the Day of the Dead. In these countries, families remember friends and family members who have died with joyous celebrations, including parades, visits to gravesites and creations of shrines in their memory.

• Swedes celebrate a six-day-long Halloween, starting with “Alla Helgons Dag,” or All Saints Day. This is a popular time to take vacation from work or school.

Cultural Care Au Pair is a leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange since 1989. A division of EF Education and a US Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of international recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide.

For more information, call Ms. Whitely at 800-333-6056, ext. 5414 or visit Culturalcare.com.