In my 17 years of life, my family has always spent Christmas at our own house. Even when we had Christmas vacations, we would always schedule them so we would be home for Christmas no matter what. 

My family prioritizes the traditions that we have done since I was a child. We always wake up open presents and then attend my great uncle’s Christmas party. With the craziness of this year, we weren’t able to continue with many of these traditions. Instead of focusing on our past traditions, we learned how to make new ones.

COVID-19 has changed our plans and this year we are finally breaking this streak. We decided with everything going on this year we would escape to our cabin for Christmas.

My family is making the best out of this situation and trying something new this year. With the restrictions Gov. Tim Waz and safety concerns, we decided it would be best to just celebrate with our immediate family. This is different from previous years where we would meet with our extended family and celebrate all the festivities. This way we are able to escape all the stresses of the pandemic and have a nice relaxing break with only our immediate family. 

We plan on keeping ourselves busy celebrating all the festivities at the cabin with puzzles, ice skating, making gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies. 

This holiday will help me and my immediate family reconnect and spend quality time together. Time we would not have had during the normal business of the holidays. We have been able to connect with each other to help through stressful times. 

Through this holiday season, I have learned no matter what is happening or where you are as long as you are able to spend it with the ones you love it is meaningful. 

Even if you don’t have a cabin during the holidays we can all find fun and creative ways to make the best out of our situations and make these holidays special even if it is different than past years.