MIAMI LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - A Miami Lakes family is hosting a smaller than normal Nochebuena celebration, and they have taken several precautions to keep themselves safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Rodriguez family said they are meeting only with the family members they have consistently spent time with, and they tried to get tested every two weeks to be safe.
“Nochebuena to us is very special, not only because we get together, but it’s also the birth of Jesus,” Idania Rodriguez said. “I think that’s the reason and also for the peace. We want to get together and everybody love each other.”
The meaning of Nochebuena, even in 2020, remains the same, including the laughter, fun and food. Like every other holiday, families have made adjustments to safely celebrate during the pandemic.
“Usually, we have a big party here — 40, 50 people,” Esteban Rodriguez said. “This year, we’re scaling down to just the immediate family. We’re responsible people, and we don’t want to risk anybody.”
“It’s going to feel weird, different because we have a lot of family that’s not here,” Idania said. “We’re missing [Esteban’s] family. We’re missing other families.”
Lots of sacrifices have been made for 2020’s edition of Nochebuena to make sure loved ones remain healthy.
“2020 has been so unusual. Having something usual is so heart-warming,” guest Lenny Sandoval said. “You look forward to the 24th. It’s our tradition, and it’s something that, no matter what, you know it’s there, and this year, when things haven’t been there, this is a little bit of normal.”
George Alexander Hernandez described some of the adjustments he made while attending this year’s festivities.
“Usually, I love to hug up on my family and give them kisses and all that, but this year, we’re trying to not do that,” he said.
The younger members of the family understand that they need to make sacrifices to make sure loved ones stayed healthy.
“I wouldn’t do a big party,” Tiffany Hernandez said. “I would say wait until next year because if you do a big party, there’s a risk that some of the people that were at the party might not be here next year because of the party.”
Maybe Nochebuena in 2021 will just be like old times.
“Hopefully, next year that we will have a big party,” Esteban said.
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