It’s Time for a Holiday Party!

Thanks to your generosity, children around the world enjoyed some very special holiday parties last year. Will you help them have a joyful celebration again this Christmas?

Who doesn’t love a holiday party? Children living in poverty or in an orphanage don’t always have the chance to have a Christmas or New Year’s party, filled with gifts, games, special meals, songs and laughter. But thanks to you, children in Holt-sponsored programs around the world enjoyed some very festive celebrations in 2024. Here, we highlight two celebrations that you helped make possible through your generosity — a Tet party in Vietnam and a New Year’s Smile party in Thailand.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, 200 children living in child welfare centers celebrated Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, thanks to Holt child sponsors and donors who gave gifts for Christmas and holiday celebrations last year. Tet is the most important festival and public holiday in the country, heralding the arrival of spring! Children began their celebration by decorating their homes and playgrounds in the vivid, festive colors of kumquat trees and apricot blossoms, plants that represent warmth, wealth and good luck for the upcoming year.

During the celebration, the children sang, danced and played games. Best of all, they enjoyed chung cakes, a traditional food made of sticky rice stuffed with green beans and pork and wrapped in dong leaves.

The children also loved dressing up for Tet in their new clothes and taking photos. And they were happy, as always, to receive their New Year’s envelopes filled with lucky money! “The gifts touch our children, and they definitely feel they are cared for and encouraged for all their good work during the past year,” one Vietnam program manager shared.

Thailand

In Thailand, Holt sponsors and donors made it possible for our partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), to hold two New Year’s Smile parties for 140 families. The events celebrated the achievements of children and families in HSF’s family strengthening programs with food, gifts, games and fun activities.

During the events, participants dressed in bright, colorful clothing, and each family brought homegrown gifts to share with friends, such as bananas, watermelons, corn, pumpkins, rice and papayas. In addition, children and their families performed traditional dance routines.

Children also enjoyed face painting and drawing activities, gaming booths with quizzes (and prizes!) and other fun events throughout the day. “Every child and guardian received encouraging gifts to take home, making the New Year’s Smile event a source of inspiration and happiness for everyone,” says an HSF program manager.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity for children living in poverty and in orphanages around the world! Because of you, children who rarely get anything “extra” felt celebrated and loved at their special holiday celebrations last year.