While many COVID-19 guidelines are still in place, holidays are starting to change, Christmas being majorly affected, especially due to large gatherings and travel.

We have seen how Thanksgiving traditions and plans had to be altered due to the virus, and that many students are having similar experiences for Christmas.

Many students originally planned to have family gatherings for the holidays, but COVID-19 has made them reconsider.

“Our usual plan is meeting with dad’s side of the family, then mom’s on Christmas Eve, then home on Christmas, this year we can’t meet with dad’s side, they don’t quarantine, can’t meet with all of mom’s side either really because even though they quarantine there’s too much risk to get all together,” senior Connor Kurtz said.

Besides family gatherings, another Christmas tradition that COVID-19 has changed for many students is travelling. With the guidelines set in place, it can be more of a risk to go out of state to visit others.

“For Christmas, I would usually travel to Kentucky to my Aunt's house to have a get together, but we can no longer go to Kentucky because you're only allowed to have 8 or 10 people in a house for holiday events,” junior Jonathan Polido said.

While COVID-19 has changed Christmas plans for most students, for some it hasn’t seemed to have a big effect.

“I spend time with my close family at our house. I also go to Christmas Eve Mass, and we haven’t had to change plans,” freshman Natalie McKenna said.

With the changing plans, and the impacts that COVID-19 has on students’ holidays, they are still looking forward to the coming weeks of break and celebrating with their close families.