How do astronauts celebrate Christmas while living on the International Space Station away from their families?

The seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station celebrate Christmas by focusing on togetherness and preparation rituals that mirror earthbound traditions. They emphasize that the best part of Christmas is the anticipation and collective preparation, creating their own festive atmosphere in orbit. Despite being physically separated from their families and loved ones on Earth, they maintain the holiday spirit by celebrating as a crew family and sending heartfelt messages to those back home, demonstrating how human connection and gratitude transcend physical distance.