What has changed with the holidays in 2021?
Last year, you might have had a lonely Christmas tree with no one around to appreciate it due to the pandemic.
One year you are sitting around the table surrounded by friends and family enjoying a nice meal full of stories, laughs, and love; the next you’re alone at home with silence in the air and people getting sick. Will this year be different or will it be the same as the last?
A lot has happened between the start of quarantine and today. There have been many changes in almost everything like rules, buildings, people, and holidays to name a few. Places now have rules of wearing masks or showing proof of a negative test or proof of having the vaccine. New buildings have sprung up. People’s appearance has changed from when you last saw them. But what has changed with the holidays?
Some families had problems with COVID-19 which prevented them from even having the possibility of having a family reunion or celebration for the holidays.
A parent, Socorro Salazar said, “El año pasado a mi esposo le dio el COVID y pasamos estas fechas con tristeza y preocupación.” (Last year my husband contracted COVID and we spent the holiday season with sadness and anxiety.)
She was not able to enjoy the holiday season due to her husband getting sick and this was the case for many families. A lot of people were not able to celebrate with their families and the ones who did were not able to celebrate with their whole family. This is something that many missed from the past year.
Parent Martha Rodriguez said, “Que no estamos toda la familia” (That the whole family wasn’t present.)
When asked the question, “What did you miss most about the holidays last year?” This parent said they missed not having the whole family celebrate together. Many people had absent family members in their reunions and some did not have any reunion at all. This year things have started to die down a bit and some are planning on doing things on the holidays.
“Yes, the plans for this year are to get together. We would listen to music, spend time together and either sing or dance, ” said senior Daniela Arredondo.
Soon many of us will be celebrating together and we will be sharing food, laughter, joy, and presents in the upcoming holidays. And things will be different than last year.
“It will be different and more family members will be present,” senior Emiliano Mendoza said.
Although things seem to be clearing up and plans are being made to reunite with family during this holiday season we should still take precautions as the CDC advises to stay safe and protected while also having a good time.
We should, “Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.” As well as, “Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated,” as the CDC states.
Stay safe during the holidays and be careful out there. Remember to protect yourself, those around you, and to have a good time. Happy Holidays!
My cat had a single kitten, I have been to Disney World, and my favorite color is blue.
Edwin de la Torre • Dec 16, 2021 at 10:09 am
I also think that the holidays won’t be the same this year due to the fact that our families won’t be able to get together like they always do. I hope we can soon get together and this pandemic ends.
Rodrigo Martinez • Dec 16, 2021 at 9:24 am
I agree that Christmas this year because of the pandemic because family won’t be able to give hugs and go out in public as a big family to celebrate and less family member can come together
jaylene bahena • Dec 15, 2021 at 6:10 pm
I really like how this article includes how many families felt. I believe that COVID-19 has effected the way we celebrate the holidays due to all the safety precautions.
Bethany Vu • Dec 15, 2021 at 11:46 am
I totally think that Christmas this year will be different. Although almost everyone I know is vaccinated, I believe that we will still have more safety precautions, inside of outside. The traditions will still exist but in a more restricted manner. I’m pretty sure, we’ll do everything normally as 2 years ago, but with more caution. Such an informative article!
Edgar Fierro • Dec 15, 2021 at 11:29 am
The holidays have definitely changed after COVID-19 hit. Less parties are going and everywhere you got there are precautions to keep you safe like wearing a mask. Great article.
Nicolas Guillen • Dec 15, 2021 at 11:12 am
I feel that Covid-19 has changed the holidays because there are fewer family gatherings. Also, there are fewer people at parties. And if you want to go out with lots of people most of the time they make you wear a mask or you have to be vaccinated.
Jesus Giles • Dec 15, 2021 at 11:03 am
The thing that changed for this year was covid and when covid started it didn’t let us do anything so the thing that changed this year was that we had covid and people getting sick and staying home for 2 weeks and not letting us see our family.
Benjamin Guinto • Dec 15, 2021 at 10:41 am
I think this article describes how many families felt very well. Nice job!
Abigail Vu • Dec 15, 2021 at 10:04 am
Super well laid-out article! Your information was really organized and I gained more insight into how different families will spend Christmas this year! I like how you got the comments of MCHS parents to add more evidence and reasoning in your article. I’m more grateful that I will be able to spend Christmas with my family this year. I hope others in our school and around the world enjoy Christmas with their families too. As long as we all stay safe, most of us should be in good health!
Rolando Q • Dec 15, 2021 at 9:46 am
Your article was very accurate to how many famillies felt. Good job.
Frida Melchor • Dec 15, 2021 at 9:22 am
I really loved the inclusion of the MCHS student’s family. Really great article!!
Michelle Perez • Dec 15, 2021 at 9:22 am
I really liked how you incorporated parents in to how the holidays changed. Keep up the great work!