Jingle bell rock, Santa hats, and eggnog mean nothing to me each Christmas season. Sitting on the beach or skiing down the Colorado mountains is more what I imagine for my Christmas vacation.

For me, and most of the other Jews out there, Christmas is just another day of the year. Obviously, from the lights, trees and holiday music on the radio, I know its Christmas, but it does not phase me like Hanukkah does. The typical Jewish things to say you do on Christmas are to go to the movie theater and eat Chinese food because those are the only two things ever open. For my family and me, however, we take this opportunity to go on vacation and get away from the cold weather.

Ironically, during my sophomore year, we spent two weeks in Israel over Christmas break. On December 27th, we happen to look at our itinerary and noticed that two days earlier was Christmas. I am not trying to say that when Christmas time rolls around each year, I try my hardest to block it out of my life; I just usually don’t even realize what day it is.

Last year, I spent Christmas vacation on a Christmas cruise with 20 of my other Jewish family friends. We took pictures with the Santa on board and the picture is now framed and hanging on my mantelpiece. Instead of attending the Christmas banquet, we threw our own dance party of the back deck. Most of our other shipmates ended up joining our Christmas festivities, making that party one of the best Christmas’s I’ve ever had.

This year, I will be in Lake Tahoe, California skiing the slopes of Heavenly. The only hint of Christmas will be the few lone skiers dressed as Santa Claus and absolutely no wait for the lifts. As the days get closer, I am crossing my fingers and praying that most people will be snuggling on their couch next to a fire on Christmas day, so that my family and I will have a day completely to ourselves on the mountain.

Growing up, I was never the one that she they celebrated Christmas or begged her parents for a tree because I am perfectly okay with not experiencing Christmas. I enjoy the perks that come with not celebrating, like not waiting on lift lines for example. And during this time of year, I am able to spend more with my family giving me the same holiday cheer that comes with Christmas.