When I was a child, Christmas felt sacred and untouchable. It wasn’t just a holiday — it was a rock-solid family ritual that couldn’t be changed. Christmas Eve was strictly a close family affair — just parents and kids, no one else. After that, we followed a precise schedule visiting relatives. I don’t remember all the details, but I’m pretty sure the order and days were set in stone. Back then, this routine was unquestionable, and deep down, I thought I’d carry it on as an adult.
But in my own family, I rewrote all the rules
We approach the holidays — like many things — with more flexibility and freedom. For me, Christmas Eve is unimaginable without my partner’s parents. That might sound unusual to some, but over nearly two decades, we’ve built such a close, loving, and respectful bond that they’ve become a natural part of our celebrations. To me, they’re family, and I can’t imagine not being together at Christmas.
That’s why, for a long time, we always chose not to travel during the holidays — even though we wanted to. Many years, by December we were so exhausted that we dreamed of escaping somewhere quiet, ideally where snow was visible, up in the mountains. Yet somehow, we always stayed. Those moments spent with the extended family were important to all of us.
We were always held back by the thought that we never know which Christmas might be our last together.
Of course, that’s something every family and every age faces, but with time, the feeling grows sharper and more real.
In recent years, our holiday mindset has changed a lot
First, I simplified everything: I didn’t want to chase perfection or meet every expectation. As much as I dislike clichés, our Christmas really became a peaceful, shared effort, a genuine togetherness where everyone contributes — often we put together the Christmas dinner by having each person bring a special dish. That made us less eager to travel — the calm of home was enough.
This year, though, we decided: we’re traveling for Christmas
After a lot of planning, we agreed to spend Christmas Eve and the following days at home for the parents’ sake — and honestly, for our own peace of mind too. Then, we’ll set off to explore a stunning snowy wonderland. In doing so, we’re breaking some old traditions and maybe creating new ones. We’ll skip the usual rounds, the familiar routes, and the multi-generation logistics. But I believe what truly matters won’t change. We’ll still connect with those we want to see, even if we’re not home between the holidays. Family bonds aren’t about repeating the same script every year — they’re about being present in each other’s lives, not just during these few days but all year long.
So why am I so excited about this Christmas away?
Because after this year, we need something completely different: shared experiences, total recharging, and lots of focused time together. A chance to be in a place where our only job is to immerse ourselves in the festive spirit. We’re heading north, where plenty of snow will greet us and the landscape itself will be the Christmas backdrop.
Maybe this year we’ll find the balance where love for old traditions and the desire for new experiences peacefully coexist. And maybe — despite the distance — this will be the Christmas we remember as truly celebrated together.
