Old Edwards Hospitality Group’s 2023 Christmas Around the World Celebration

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: Whats News | Photograph By: Ava Schmitt

Old Edwards Hospitality Group, which counts citizens from around the world among its employees, drew upon their rich cultural heritage to present its 2023 Christmas Around the World Celebration to a group of enchanted (and energized) Highlands School kindergarteners and first and second graders this week. 

The event kicked off with OEI’s Blye Hunsinger asking the children about the meaning of Christmas and how they celebrated it in their homes. 

He followed that open ended question with an explanation that people from far away honored Christmas with their families with some striking differences. 

“How many of you come from far away?’ he asked the well-behaved children gathered in OEI’s cozy Laurel Room.

Eight of the students answered that they were from Mexico, six were from Franklin, four from Scaly Mountain, and one from Otto.

These revelations out of the way, the international employees were introduced one at a time and gave fascinating snapshots of how Christmas is celebrated in their homelands. 

Cami Rodriguez told about Christmas in Peru and the importance of family and community; Ukraine’s Anna Beshlyeva recounted the traditions of her country and added a note of gravity when she explained that the prospect of peace on earth was especially important this year, when her country was being invaded by a hostile neighbor; Beshlyeva’s son Daniel captured the imaginations of the entire audience when he read the story cherished by Ukrainian children about how a spider rewarded the kindness of a poor family by decorating their humble Christmas tree with an intricate spiderweb that was transformed into an elaborate silver masterpiece; Jamaica’s Shaniece Simpson explained the virtues of a Caribbean Christmas and captured the attention of her little listeners with her mention that adults were treated to rum-drenched cake (every other presenter was asked if their family celebrated with “alcohol cake).

Jean Sales from the Philippines was part of the celebration and she explained that in her country, the build up for Christmas begins in September; Hungary’s Nina Bean outlined the joys of the Christmas Feast, complete with goulash and paprika-spiced dishes; in a striking reminder that Peace on Earth is meant for everyone, India’s Shubham Pathak explained what though he’s a Hindu, he’s also participated in Christmas celebrations, as do many of India’s Muslim, Seikh and Jain citizens; Mariana Ramirez Rosario once more stressed the importance of family and community in her country’s Christmas celebrations; and England’s Julie Crook won over her audience with the revelation and demonstration of Christmas crackers.

The audience eagerly absorbed the message of Goodwill and Christmas Cheer that lay at the heart of the event, and were rewarded with hot chocolate and cookies and a surprise visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, who were able to hear their individual wishes.

It was an event of global importance, served up in the tiny town of Highlands.