Missouri Christmas vs. Mexico Christmas

Story By Maci Zeysing

How Wellington-Napoleon students spend their Christmas day:

There are many different ways people spend their Christmas Day. From going to Mexico, spending quality time with family, and eating lots of tamales, to spending Christmas in Missouri, opening presents with siblings, and seeing grandparents. Felipe Chavarria and his family drive 18-20 hours down to Mexico every year to visit his extended family. They eat lots of tamales, street tacos, tortas, and gorditas. But that's not all Felipe does down there. They also “clean a lot.” They enjoy buying the special food you can only get down there because you can’t find many things in Missouri. Felipe always makes sure to get a Coke when he’s there because “they taste a lot sweeter.”  When they come back home they open their Christmas present and enjoy the things they buy from Mexico 

Lydia Smith spends her Christmas here in Wellington, Missouri. When she wakes up on Christmas day she is greeted by breakfast made by her dad. After she eats and all her siblings wake up they take a picture in front of the tree and they get to start opening presents. They always open their stockings first, then one at a time from youngest to oldest they open their presents. By the end, everyone is opening presents and not waiting for their turn. When everyone is done opening presents they go eat lunch at her grandparent's house and watch Christmas movies. Then we end the night with a gingerbread house competition and more Christmas movies. 

Christmas traditions vary greatly from one family to another, reflecting different customs, locations, and family dynamics. The yearbook staff wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.