First Christmas in the US

"Christmas is not really about expensive gifts. It is about cherishing what you have and being with your family, even when you’re far from home."

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By Cassandra Gonzalez

For many of us who have grown up celebrating Christmas, we know the holiday routine. But for hundreds of thousands of new immigrants to the United States, Christmas this year will be spent away from the familiarity of their home country. Youth Radio’s Cassandra Gonzalez spent some time with Juliana, a 21-year old who just five months ago arrived from Mexico with her young son. She asked that we not use her full name. The two women compared notes on the holiday, from both sides of the border.

Juliana and I are both 21 and we are both single parents to toddlers. The difference between us is that this is my 22nd Christmas in the United States and this is only her first. Juliana left Mexico a few months ago to get away from an abusive relationship with her child’s father.

They settled in a quiet neighborhood in Hollywood, California. Her one-bedroom apartment is small, but very cozy. She shares it with her son Richie and her three cousins. Hanging we’re hanging out on her porch, Ritchie rides his bike back and forth down a small pathway, Juliana explains that the big day in Mexico doesn’t involve a fat man in a red suit.

JULIANA (on tape in Spanish)
Well, here at Christmas Santa Claus comes and all that stuff—over there, he doesn’t come, and here he does. Over there, we only have the Magic Kings.

CASSANDRA
Santa Claus never went to her house in Mexico. For most Mexican families, Christmas involves a big dinner, but no presents. The big celebration of the season is on January 6th, the day the 3 wise men visited Baby Jesus and brought him gifts. For Juliana, Santa is not the only one of many differences this year. Her life has a new purpose and her definition of family has changed.

JULIANA (on tape in Spanish)
My purpose was so that my son—well, that all of his father’s family could see that I could pull my son ahead in life all by myself, as a single mother, that I could better my son’s life without him (my ex-husband). That was my goal, a better life for my son.

CASSANDRA
Juliana says she came here to prove to her ex-husband and his family that she can provide Ritchie a better life all on her own.

JULIANA (on tape in Spanish)
My son says that when he grows up, that since I left his dad, when he’s grown that he’s going to marry me and nobody else can marry me and that he wants to be my boyfriend and we’re going to have tons of kids.

CASSANDRA
Ritchie tells his mom that since his Dad’s not around, when he grows up, he’s going to marry his mom and they’ll have lots of kids. If other guys come near, he’ll give ‘em a whooping.

Juliana will celebrate Christmas with her son and his babysitter, who is kind of like a mother figure to her now. Juliana will miss her family and friends, but she is happy to be here. So does little Ritchie. He cannot stop giggling and playing.

I think he is more excited about Christmas than me and his mom put together. What Richie wants for Christmas is a little different from my daughter’s and most kids want.

Juliana asks Ritchie what he will ask for from Santa Claus. His reply: some sweets, some girls, a pair of earrings and some grass and dirt. I ask my daughter what she wants for Christmas this year and her answer is everything but grass and dirt.

Juliana's story makes me take a deeper look at what Christmas means to me. Christmas is not really about expensive gifts, although those can be nice. But it is about cherishing what you have and being with your family, even when you’re far from home.

JULIANA (on tape in Spanish)
Well now my family is my son, no? So, as long as I am with him, the rest doesn’t interest me.

CASSANDRA
Juliana says her family is her son now. As long as they are together, she’s happy. I can relate because if I really think about it, the only thing that makes me happy around Christmas time is my daughter too.

Merry Christmas, Juliana and Ritchie, and welcome.