Mother Living in N.Y.C. Shelter with 3-Year-Old Son Explains How She Creates ‘Holiday Magic’ Despite Circumstances

“The true meaning of this season is love and thankfulness and being able to give and teach that to my son even in this chapter of our lives,” Miranda Pagan tells PEOPLE

In June 2025, Miranda Pagan took a leap of faith, leaving upstate New York for the city and moving into a shelter with her toddler, Noah.

The decision marked a powerful turning point, driven by her determination to rebuild life on her own terms after leaving a relationship that no longer served her.

However, with December came not only the holiday season, but also her son’s 3rd birthday – all of which she had to navigate alone, making this chapter in her life both challenging yet hopeful.

@miranda_pagan it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays 💌☃️🎄 #rockefellercenter #nyc #christmasinnyc #shelterlife #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound – miranda pagan

“I keep things as positive and uplifting as possible so [Noah] doesn’t have a negative emotion or feel any bad energy from me while we are going through things,” the 31-year-old mother tells PEOPLE exclusively.

To do so, Pagan reveals that she never brings up the word “shelter” around her son – instead, she calls where they live “the apartment” and has told him that they will one day move into their own place.

“It can be a challenging feeling, like your life is in the hands of the government and like you are just a number in a sense,” Pagan says, admitting that there are moments where all she wants to do is cry.

Yet, she chooses to remain optimistic for both herself and her son, especially during the holiday season.

Despite being currently unemployed, Pagan was determined to make the holidays feel as special and normal as possible for her son.

To bring warmth and cheer to their temporary home, she added festive decorations and “cozy” touches like a small tree, twinkling lights and Christmas figurines.

The mother-son duo often finds free holiday activities around New York City, such as visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Over the past few months, with the support of caring TikTok followers, she has also received gifts for her son and organized activities they can enjoy together, creating memories that will last far beyond the holiday season.

“Thankfully, as I’ve been open about my journey, we have had some amazing people reach out to us who have been so generous and have allowed us to experience some holiday magic around the city by attending events like the Northpole Express Bus, indoor playgrounds and Santaland at Macy’s.”

A friend also reserved tickets for Pagan and her son to enjoy a Santa Experience in Times Square – leaving her son “over the moon.”

@miranda_pagan thank you @Jonny for making this experience possible, Noah had the time of his life & seeing his expression meeting Santa was priceless💌 we are so grateful for you! we rode the North Pole express in NYC and got to experience the beautiful city from up top! if you haven’t checked this out, it’s a must see during the holidays 🌟 #topview #nyc #shelterlife #christmasinnewyork #happyholidays @target @KidCityStores @e.l.f. Cosmetics @TULA skincare @loréal paris usa @Five Below ♬ original sound – miranda pagan

“There truly have been so many moments already that he has lit up for,” Pagan says. “Now that [Noah] understands more about Santa and the holidays altogether, he has been able to really soak up the spirit of the season.”

Seeing Noah happy and experiencing the holidays like any other child reassures Pagan that being in a shelter “hasn’t affected him in a negative way.”

Nevertheless, spending the holiday season in a shelter for the first time has been a “huge mix of emotions” for Pagan, especially without immediate family to celebrate with.

Watching others gather with loved ones has been emotionally difficult, yet also peaceful, as she finds comfort in having her son by her side and knowing that’s what matters most.

The experience, she says, has stretched her “strength as a mother” more than anything else.

“The true meaning of this season is love and thankfulness and being able to give and teach that to my son, even in this chapter of our lives, is all I could ask for,” Pagan tells PEOPLE.

“Being thankful for our health, a roof over our heads and so much good to look forward to as we start over is what I’m keeping my focus on.”

“The true meaning of this season is love and thankfulness and being able to give and teach that to my son even in this chapter of our lives,” Miranda Pagan tells PEOPLE

In June 2025, Miranda Pagan took a leap of faith, leaving upstate New York for the city and moving into a shelter with her toddler, Noah.

The decision marked a powerful turning point, driven by her determination to rebuild life on her own terms after leaving a relationship that no longer served her.

However, with December came not only the holiday season, but also her son’s 3rd birthday – all of which she had to navigate alone, making this chapter in her life both challenging yet hopeful.

@miranda_pagan it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays 💌☃️🎄 #rockefellercenter #nyc #christmasinnyc #shelterlife #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound – miranda pagan

“I keep things as positive and uplifting as possible so [Noah] doesn’t have a negative emotion or feel any bad energy from me while we are going through things,” the 31-year-old mother tells PEOPLE exclusively.

To do so, Pagan reveals that she never brings up the word “shelter” around her son – instead, she calls where they live “the apartment” and has told him that they will one day move into their own place.

“It can be a challenging feeling, like your life is in the hands of the government and like you are just a number in a sense,” Pagan says, admitting that there are moments where all she wants to do is cry.

Yet, she chooses to remain optimistic for both herself and her son, especially during the holiday season.

Despite being currently unemployed, Pagan was determined to make the holidays feel as special and normal as possible for her son.

To bring warmth and cheer to their temporary home, she added festive decorations and “cozy” touches like a small tree, twinkling lights and Christmas figurines.

The mother-son duo often finds free holiday activities around New York City, such as visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Over the past few months, with the support of caring TikTok followers, she has also received gifts for her son and organized activities they can enjoy together, creating memories that will last far beyond the holiday season.

“Thankfully, as I’ve been open about my journey, we have had some amazing people reach out to us who have been so generous and have allowed us to experience some holiday magic around the city by attending events like the Northpole Express Bus, indoor playgrounds and Santaland at Macy’s.”

A friend also reserved tickets for Pagan and her son to enjoy a Santa Experience in Times Square – leaving her son “over the moon.”

@miranda_pagan thank you @Jonny for making this experience possible, Noah had the time of his life & seeing his expression meeting Santa was priceless💌 we are so grateful for you! we rode the North Pole express in NYC and got to experience the beautiful city from up top! if you haven’t checked this out, it’s a must see during the holidays 🌟 #topview #nyc #shelterlife #christmasinnewyork #happyholidays @target @KidCityStores @e.l.f. Cosmetics @TULA skincare @loréal paris usa @Five Below ♬ original sound – miranda pagan

“There truly have been so many moments already that he has lit up for,” Pagan says. “Now that [Noah] understands more about Santa and the holidays altogether, he has been able to really soak up the spirit of the season.”

Seeing Noah happy and experiencing the holidays like any other child reassures Pagan that being in a shelter “hasn’t affected him in a negative way.”

Nevertheless, spending the holiday season in a shelter for the first time has been a “huge mix of emotions” for Pagan, especially without immediate family to celebrate with.

Watching others gather with loved ones has been emotionally difficult, yet also peaceful, as she finds comfort in having her son by her side and knowing that’s what matters most.

The experience, she says, has stretched her “strength as a mother” more than anything else.

“The true meaning of this season is love and thankfulness and being able to give and teach that to my son, even in this chapter of our lives, is all I could ask for,” Pagan tells PEOPLE.

“Being thankful for our health, a roof over our heads and so much good to look forward to as we start over is what I’m keeping my focus on.”