The WBFN Children’s Holiday Party has become a beloved tradition for long-time World Bank Group staff and families. For newcomers, it’s an important milestone in the process of settling in. Recent arrival Nick Paul finds out why.

I would have preferred to enter the austere, soaring magnificence of the World Bank foyer for the first time wearing something dark and businesslike, and possessed by a dignified sense of some mission or other. Instead, I blew in there flustered and hung about with stray mittens and diaper bags, two cold children and a cheerful red stroller in tow, an hour late after various bits of the public transport system had failed to deliver as promised, for the occasion of the WBFN’s annual Children’s Holiday Party.

In my experience, these affairs generally take place in dusty church halls, with 20 children in various states of fright, excitement or sugar-induced mania in attendance, and an unconvincing Santa holding office on the stage. This event, however, had the atmosphere of a cheerful, bustling global bazaar, with various stalls catering for every kid’s idea of fun—face painting, jewelry and puppet-making, darts for the older kids and a movie for those who didn’t feel like doing much at all. Most of them chose to spend at least some time both amused and amazed by the magic and entertainment provided by renowned DC magician Barry Wood, and most families took the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa. Ours took it as an opportunity to experience naked terror for the first time, so the occasion went unrecorded.

For both kids and parents, the food was also a major drawcard. Rather than a collection of cheap and processed sugar bombs, the snacks were delicious, nutritious and as culturally diverse as the guests. Diversity and inclusiveness are a major focus of the event, explains WBFN Coordinator Catherine Mathieu. “The event is about the various festivals that take place at this time of year—Hannukah, Diwali and, of course, Christmas itself.” It’s also a celebration of family.

“The Children’s Holiday Party, as it has always been known, is a great opportunity to bring staff, spouses and their kids together in the Bank headquarters, given that the Bank itself doesn’t do it. But it is also, of course, about attracting donations for two local charities—the Children’s Law Center and Toys for Tots,” says Mathieu. Through the generosity of the WBFN and guests at the party, the former was able to raise a total of over $3,000 for school supplies, clothing and financial assistance over the holiday season for 15 Washington children.

One of the challenges—and if met successfully one of the great advantages—of relocation is that it brings families closer together, throwing them on their own resources more. Whatever the benefits, however, the transition can be difficult, particularly for families that come from cultures where family life is more extensive. This is especially so during the holiday season. So there was a great sense of family at the party, with families socializing and meeting as families rather than parents and children going their separate ways as so often happens.

It is part of the role of the WBFN to assist families of World Bank staff in finding their feet in a new country. This work substantially involves helping them navigate the practicalities of their new lives. But something as apparently simple as a holiday party can help with the emotional transition at a time of year that is loaded with sentiment, as this one is. Speaking personally, the event was particularly timely and welcome for our little family—Mum was away at a workshop, and it was our first weekend in our new home in the suburbs after a month in the bustle of Dupont Circle. Christmas (which we celebrate) was coming, and little had yet been done to mark its approach. And while I love my children deeply, the prospect of adult company in the social context was appealing after some weeks of being perhaps a little too nuclear.

Looking at the bigger picture, the party was a great success. It attracted something in excess of 680 people, and involved the efforts of 62 volunteers from the Bank and its own extended family. It has become a tradition so beloved and entrenched that no one can remember quite when it started—although the consensus is that it has been around for over a decade [editor’s note: in fact since 1974!].

The holiday spirits of generosity and companionship will ensure that it will be a continuing tradition for decades to come.

By Nick Paul