Snow covered the streets in Canada and made everything look calm and bright. Houses were decorated with colorful lights, and the air felt cold and fresh. The smell of hot chocolate filled the downtown as families walked by in their winter coats. For a family used to warm Decembers in Colombia, this new Christmas on December 28, 2024, felt very different. The snow and lights made the holiday feel magical, but it also reminded them of how far away they were from home.

This Christmas memory isn’t only about presents or decorations. It’s about what it feels like to spend the holidays in a new country, far away from the people you love most. For Raquel Isaza, TCS, 12th-grade student, celebrating in Canada meant learning new traditions while also missing the fun and the chaos of their Christmas back in Colombia. The experience showed them that even if the setting changes, the holiday can still feel meaningful.

What stood out most about that first Christmas in Canada was how different it felt from celebrations in Colombia. Back home, the holiday meant crowded houses, loud music, and cousins running around until late at night. “I missed a lot, like being with my entire family, with all my cousins, with my uncles, with my grandparents, also like the arguments of who put the star on top of the tree, and also like the energy that’s here in Colombia because it’s so much more fun.” (2:46 – 3:08) Raquel expressed her feelings.

In Canada, the rhythm slowed down. Instead of huge family parties, the holiday was quieter, just parents and children gathered around a smaller table. It felt emptier, but it also allowed for moments that might have been lost in the noise back home. Sharing stories and watching the snow fall outside gave the holiday a softer, more reflective side.

One of the best memories from that Christmas happened outside in the snow. The family decided to go sledding down a huge hill, something they had never experienced before. Raquel explained that the moment quickly turned into laughter and joy, “One of my most memorable moments from that Christmas was sliding down a giant hill covered in untouched snow. My dad went first, and he rolled like a human snowball, and it was also really funny, and my mom and I couldn’t stop laughing. When I went, I hit a patch of ice and landed in a fluffy snow bag. It was extremely fun, and it was memorable because it was a really sweet moment between my parents and me” (3:40–4:11).

This memory stood out because it captured what made that Christmas special, not the gifts or decorations, but the laughter and closeness they shared as a family in a new place. Raquel also mentioned how there were also quieter moments indoors that felt just as memorable, “Celebrating in a cold, snowy environment felt really different, but also really special because it was fun, sitting by the fireplace, drinking wine, with the cold weather,” she said. (5:22–5:34). The fireplace, the warmth, and the simple fact of sharing a drink together made the family feel cozy and connected.

This memory shows how Christmas can feel different in every place, but still has the same meaning. For Raquel, spending it in Canada meant missing the loud and happy traditions of Colombia, but also finding new ways to celebrate. It showed her that family, love, and togetherness matter more than where you are.

What began as a holiday filled with homesickness ended as one filled with new traditions and unforgettable memories.