When people talk about au pairs, they often refer to girls who decide to spend time with a foreign family to look after children or perform light housework in exchange for accommodation and a small pocket money allowance, almost as if it were just for fun. In reality, it is a fully-fledged job protected by regulations; therefore, au pairs, in addition to having a set of duties, also enjoy rights. Such as the right to have days off and paid leave.
Days off, holidays, and leave for au pairs
Usually, the working hours for au pairs are agreed upon between the girl and the host family. In exchange for the tasks they perform, au pairs are entitled to a few days off each month and, in the case of extended stays, also to a period of paid leave. The number of holiday days varies depending on the length of the stay. Generally, girls staying with a family for 6 months are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave, while those staying for a year are entitled to 4 weeks of paid holiday.
Christmas holidays with the host family
However, it’s not a given that au pairs will choose to use their leave during the festive season. An anzi, occasions like Christmas can be a great opportunity to discover the traditions and customs of another country. Indeed, many au pairs decide to spend the Christmas holidays together with their host family. But what’s different compared to an Italian Christmas? It’s no coincidence that an old saying goes “wherever you go, you find different customs.” Every country has its own traditions. So, let’s discover those of two very popular destinations for au pairs.
Christmas in Ireland: between hot drinks and icy waters
Christmas in Ireland (almost) rhymes with a hot drink! To withstand the freezing temperatures, nothing warms you up like an Irish whiskey, perhaps served hot and flavored with a few cloves. Tradition dictates it should be enjoyed in one of the many pubs, but nothing stops you from drinking it within the walls of the home with your host family.
If alcohol isn’t for you and you don’t fear the cold, you can try the classic Christmas swim instead. Many Irish people take a dip in the freezing waters of the ocean on Christmas Day. If you want to try it too, head to the Forty Foot promontory in Sandycove, near Dublin, or Salt Hill, near Galway.
If, on the other hand, you feel the cold, don’t miss the chance to wear a classic Christmas jumper. You know the ones? Those woolly sweaters with Christmas themes that became very famous after the release of the film Bridget Jones’s Diary. Maybe a bit kitsch, but definitely ideal for protecting yourself from the cold and getting into the true Irish Christmas spirit!
Christmas in England: carols, gifts, and even nails!
If you’ve decided to spend Christmas in England with your host family, warm up those vocal cords! Christmas carols are a typically English tradition. Many families observe this custom, and sometimes even the residents of the same neighborhood join in. After all, another English tradition involving neighbors is Boxing Day, which involves exchanging small gifts among neighbors on the day after Christmas (the day the winter sales also begin!).
Finally, don’t be surprised if you find something resembling a large sweet next to your plate during Christmas lunch or dinner. These are Christmas Crackers, cardboard packages shaped like sweets that contain a small surprise. Generally, to open them, two people pull the ends together to cause a small bang (hence the name crackers, from crack). If you’re lucky, you’ll find a note or a small gift; otherwise, you might end up with some nails!
