The week before Christmas, I was nervous since it was the first time I wasn’t going to be celebrating it with my family back in Spain. I found that some of the American traditions were very similar to mine. For example, decorating a Christmas tree, putting Christmas lights around the house, buying family and friends gifts to open on Christmas day, and having a big family meal.

One of the main differences I found was that in America everyone opens their gifts Christmas morning; however, my family tradition is we open gifts on midnight on Christmas Eve. I found it fun and a great experience even though I got a bit grumpy when my younger host brothers woke me up at 7 o’clock in the morning so we could go downstairs to start opening the presents.

After opening our gifts we sat down and had a delicious meal. In Spain, we usually eat cold dishes, but here, with my family, we ate turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole.

It wasn’t very new for me since on Thanksgiving day we ate the same meal but I still stuffed my stomach.

I ended my Christmas day by spending time with my host family watching Christmas movies, after that we went out in the countryside to spent some time with some friends.

It was a fantastic Christmas and I didn’t get as homesick because I felt like I was at home. I think I put on a few pounds since I ate a lot of chocolate and candy but Christmas is only once a year so I made the most of it, especially since it was my first one in America and hopefully not my last.