After the past two Christmases being overrun by mask mandates, social distancing and lots of hand sanitizer, 2021 finally brings somewhat of a sense of normalcy to the typical Christmas celebration. 

The first post-Covid-19 vaccine Christmas will be a time for everyone to gather with all of their loved ones. This sense of togetherness is desperately needed after two Christmases causing separation, specifically from family and friends who live farther away. 

With first semester finals being given after a two-year pause due to Covid-19, the break from school-related stress is welcomed with wide open arms. Reuniting with family and friends for the holidays will provide students and teachers with the opportunity to relax and take time away from the hard work put into classes on the Hill.

Rather than focusing on calculus or chemistry, students will be able to take a breather and relish this time with loved ones. After five days of intense studying, finally being able to hug grandparents, cousins or family friends without worrying about breaking the social distancing guidelines, will bring a much needed joy to everyone. 

However, in order for everyone to be able to come back healthy on the Hill, there are still some safety precautions that we should put in place at these Christmas gatherings. After Thanksgiving break, many students and teachers returned with stuffy noses and sore throats. This shows the importance of still practicing the little everyday things such as covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough and washing your hands frequently. By putting forth the effort to keep everyone’s safety as a priority, this won’t be the last normal Christmas. 

Getting together with loved ones in the last weeks of December will calm down students and school administrators’ stresses and anxieties for the upcoming J-Term. The first two weeks of January will be a new and somewhat nerve-racking experience for everyone on the Hill. While J-Term is exciting, there is still some nervousness surrounding J-Term because of its novelty. Spending time with family and friends without the stress of following strict Covid-19 health guidelines will put everyone at ease before J-Term. 

Any time spent with the people closest to you should be treasured, but after Covid-19 put two years of separation between these moments, this year’s Christmas celebrations are valued at an exceptionally high level. These Christmas traditions, spent either virtual or socially distanced in 2019 and 2020, can finally be fully embraced face-to-face. For example, the Circle of Lights is when the Soldiers and Sailors monument in Downtown Indianapolis is decorated and strung with colorful Christmas lights. Thousands of people crowd the streets of Monument Circle. The past two years, government officials did not allow an audience because of the threat of Covid-19. However, this year —on the same night that the football team won their second consecutive State championship — the celebration took place with thousands in attendance. 

The unexplainable exuberance that comes from these Christmas traditions is one that cannot be replicated through virtual or socially distanced celebrations. Having the sought-after face-to-face contact with loved ones is necessary for carrying out the true Christmas joy that has been longed for for two years.