The shuffle of my mom’s slippers against the downstairs tiles echoes throughout the house as she rushes to pack the last items in her suitcase. It’s winter break once again––the best time of year––and we’re about to be on our way to a new destination for the holiday season. 

As I do every year, I lug my suitcase down the stairs and out the front door. The fresh morning breeze, carrying traces of Christmas spirit, embraces me as I sit on the porch, on the lookout for our soon-to-arrive Uber. 

Ever since I can remember, I’ve spent my Christmas all around the world. Despite many people choosing to celebrate the holidays in the comfort of their home, my parents viewed the holiday season as a time for the family to travel. Even though we were not home nestling by the tree, I’ve felt the holiday spirit even thousands of miles away. Each place around the world offers a unique festive magic. 

On these trips, the people I’ve interacted with, the food I’ve consumed, and the views I’ve seen, has piled my life with diversity, and I welcome it with open arms.

For us, the winter season is the time of year to explore the world and discover the many holiday traditions in different countries. 

From Vancouver, Canada to Hokkaido, Japan, I’ve spent my winter breaks getting lost in the city or racing my brother down ski slopes. But no matter where we are, one thing is the same: the holiday magic always manages to find its way to us, each experience offering a different perspective, which is what makes the holiday season so exciting for me.

For me, in the States, the iconic jingles of Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” paired with a decadent hot chocolate are reminiscent of Christmas, but those traditions aren’t copy-pasted throughout the globe. The music, food, views, activities, and local culture vary from country to country. 

From visiting so many different locations, I’ve gained diverse perspectives on celebration and tradition, and made unique memories that can never be replicated. 

I love traveling the world, but what makes me so excited for my family’s winter trips is how the Christmas-time magic brings my loved ones closer together in unfamiliar places. Some years, it’s just me and my family, but other years, we’re blessed with the company of our closest friends. 

Venturing through new destinations with cherished friends and family has been the catalyst for some of my most precious memories. From running around the many national parks we’ve visited, to meeting up in the hotel after a long day to play card games and board games until late at night, I’ve made enough blissful memories to last a lifetime. 

As my brother and I grow older, I find myself increasingly overcome with nostalgia, dreading the possibility of forgetting the experiences that have filled my childhood and losing the chance to make ones just like them, so every Christmas season, I explore and love like it’s my first.