In much of the world, including where I lived for most of my life before becoming an Expat, Christians celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Since I now live many time zones away from my childhood home in the USA, and was baptized in the Georgian Orthodox Church, things are different by some degrees of longitude. Here in Tbilisi, Georgia, we observe the Orthodox Christmas and new New Years on 7 January and 14 January, respectively.
It still feels a bit strange for me on 24 and 25 December to go about my normal daily activities and not be celebrating. The traditional colors of red and white decorations are already up and about town. However, for me there is just a little blue in the day, missing celebrating in person with my American family back home. Fortunately, I have a great family life in Tbilisi and our turn to celebrate together is coming soon.
Not everyone is so fortunate in life. Especially, when it comes to moving to a foreign country in search of a new one. Which leads me to point out the difference between Expat life and Immigrant life. I am often asked the question and only now I have a good answer. When asked, I often tell a little riddle, “What’s the difference between the fruit, tomato, that Americans pronounce as “tomayto” and the British pronounce as “tomahto”? The answer, about $1.50.
Red and Green Christmas Design – Photo from gettyimages
I have come to realize that the difference between and immigrant and an expat also comes down to money. Otherwise, they are both the same thing. My definition of an immigrant, as I have come to see it, is that immigrants seem to arrive to a foreign country because of difficult circumstances. Often they are fleeing great hardships in search of opportunities, with empty pockets, and little to trade on. Expats, on the other hand, seem to arrive to a foreign country with a credit card in their pocket and a proof-positive plan for resettlement. Otherwise, we are just people with hopes and dreams, defined differently by the price we can afford to have what we want and need now.
The following is a repost of a story that landed in my inbox this Christmas Eve. It particularly touched my heart because I was born in New York City, where the story takes place for many immigrants. My grandparents were once immigrants from Italy, and I was fortunate enough to be grown up among their traditions that they brought with them. My parents, like me were born in the USA and carried on some of their parents traditions. So, I had it easy as a 3G, or third generation kid in the USA. The generations that came before me, struggled much more than I had to as they assimilated and prospered in the land of opportunities, immigrants call the USA.
I also sought out a new land of opportunities and emigrated to the country of Georgia. However, because of the work that my immigrant ancestors had already done and passed the benefits on to me, I was able to resettle in Georgia comfortably, as an Expat. For this I am grateful.
Now let’s look at the story that landed in my inbox on 24 December, Christmas Eve in the USA for a contrast of circumstances. I would say that the moral of the story is that it is not what gifts lie under the Christmas tree for you, but the people gathered around it with you that is the true gift we should all be grateful for.
Related content: Christmas immigrant story
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