ANAHEIM, Calif. — From Kharkiv, Valeriya Simulik and Vlad Tkachenko were traveling abroad when the war in Ukraine started. They decided to stay in the United States when they learned their house and business were destroyed.

Many Ukrainians observe holiday celebrations in early January, but this year Valeriya and Vlad are concentrating on work and trying to start a new life in the U.S.

The couple said that although they are not celebrating the holidays this year, the holiday spirit is helping them to emotionally deal with the realities of their war-torn home country.