42nd Parallel

The things our moms say might sound funny, strict, or repetitive—but it all comes from love.
Every reminder, every question, every “did you eat?” is her way of caring.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there.

A cup of tea can tell a story. 🍵

For National Tea Day (April 21), we’re celebrating the many ways tea is enjoyed across Asia. From China’s long-standing tea traditions and Japan’s matcha ceremonies to India’s spiced chai and Malaysia’s iconic teh tarik, tea is part of everyday life as well as cultural celebration.

Each region has its own flavors, brewing styles, and traditions that have been passed down for generations. Whether it’s shared with family, served to guests, or enjoyed during a quiet moment, tea continues to bring people together. Today we’re highlighting tea cultures from across Asia—including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Thai, Cambodian, Indian, Indonesian, and Malaysian traditions.

Across Asia, Christmas is celebrated in ways shaped by culture, community, and place. In South Korea, the season is marked by festive lights and shared meals. The Philippines celebrates one of the world’s longest Christmas seasons, filling streets with parol lanterns and bringing families together for Simbang Gabi and Noche Buena feasts.

In Japan, a decades-old “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign turned fried chicken and strawberry cake into a seasonal staple. The holiday is also largely secular and romantic—especially Christmas Eve, often treated like a second Valentine’s Day with date nights, gift exchanges, and citywide illuminations. In China, Christmas takes on a social tone, with illuminated cityscapes and the gifting of apples as symbols of peace. In Thailand, festive décor, markets, and nightlife bring global holiday energy into local spaces.

Together, these traditions show how AAPI communities interpret the season in their own way—blending global influences with local identity.

Swipe through to explore how the holidays come to life across AAPI cultures.

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This season, holiday style is getting a cultural glow-up. From pagoda snow-globe ornaments and dragon-inspired designs to bojagi gift wrapping, modern hanbok silhouettes, AAPI-inspired table styling, and festive flavors like ube cookies, miso hot chocolate, hojicha tiramisu, and pandan-based treats — the holidays feel richer, warmer, and more personal when heritage takes the lead.

Across the AAPI community, these trends aren’t just décor or aesthetics. They’re a celebration of identity, storytelling, and the ways we carry culture into the moments we gather.

Swipe through to explore how AAPI traditions and design are shaping the holiday season.