It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But even though we can still break out the ugly holiday sweaters and crank up Michael Buble’s “Christmas” album, there are still some things that make this particular holiday season stranger than ever. 

Sophia Saturnino, a junior business administration major, is a firm believer in holiday traditions. Every December, she and her family look at Christmas lights at a park near their home in Washington state. While they’re usually able to walk around only inches away from the lights, sipping on hot cocoa, they were confined to their cars this year at a drive-through light display. But despite the situation being different, Saturnino told The Panther that didn’t lessen the festivity in the air.

“There were so many cars and excitement in people’s faces as I watched people drive by,” Saturnino said. “Some people had their roofs open so their kids could stand through and see the lights clearer and I feel like the Christmas spirit was still alive.”

Many Chapman students like Saturnino are still holding onto this time of year by celebrating with a shift toward safer holiday activities in light of the pandemic. Instead of having a huge Christmas gathering with loved ones, they’re cranking up the decorations in their house and holding cocktail Zoom sessions with extended family. 

“We have to be mindful of the elderly and people at risk, but that doesn’t mean we have to completely ignore the fact that it’s the holiday season,” said Kylie Shelon, a sophomore communication studies major. “Observe it differently and find a way that works for your family. Alter it in whatever ways that will make everybody happy and also keep safety in mind.”

Decorating indoors with twinkle lights and adorning each and every crevice with ornaments is an activity that is not only safe from spreading the virus, it allows for cherished memories established with loved ones, Shelon said. Decorating their house for Thanksgiving and Hanukkah is something that connects Shelon and her family together the most.

“Even if it’s not my entire family putting up (decorations), it represents our home and shows we care and a drive and excitement for a holiday,” she said. “It also unites our community because when we see other people with decorations, it shows you have something to look forward to and bonds the community in a sense.”

Despite all of the darkness and unwelcome change this year has brought, the sentiments behind holiday traditions remain constant. Grace Glenn, a senior communication studies major, said these traditions are important and keeping them in practice – especially during this time of unknown – lends a little more joy to those who need it. Whether she is driving around looking at Christmas lights with a cup of coffee or making her family’s famous Christmas morning rum cake, Glenn believes traditions truly show the spirit of the holidays.

“Everything is always changing; the world is changing and things are different this year, but I don’t think that means we stop carrying on these festive holiday traditions that every family has,” Glenn said. “It’s really important to keep some sort of normalcy during this time.”