Christmas in the United States

In the United States, many people celebrate Christmas. Even though Christmas is a Christian holiday, not everyone who celebrates it is Christian. Many people think of Christmas as a time to celebrate being with family and friends, and to give to the less fortunate.

The Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving. People decorate their houses for Christmas. Some of the most common decorations are Christmas lights, wreaths, and evergreen branches.

Christmas Decorations

People decorate the insides of their houses, too. The most important decoration is the Christmas tree, an evergreen tree that is decorated with lights, garland and ornaments. At the top, people put a star or an angel.

Christmas Decorations

People hang stockings as well, by their fireplace or on the staircase. Some people decorate the inside of their houses, and others put up a nativity scene either in their house or in their yard.

Christmas Decorations

To get into the holiday spirit, some people go door to door singing Christmas carols, or songs. Many people watch traditional Christmas films, like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. There are usually a lot of Christmas parties before Christmas.

Christmas Traditions

Another common tradition is to bake Christmas cookies. People eat Christmas cookies during the whole Christmas season, but on the night of Christmas Eve children leave milk and cookies for Santa Clause.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Eve is the 24th of December. In the US, we dont celebrate it as much as in Europe. Every family has their own tradition for Christmas Eve. Some people go to church, but almost everyone eats a big dinner with their families.

Christmas Eve

American children believe in Santa Clause. On Christmas Eve he flys in a magic sleigh pulled by 9 reindeer to deliver toys to all the children. He puts them under the Christmas tree and in their stockings. He comes in and leaves through the chimney.

Santa Clause

On Christmas morning, Americans exchange gifts with their immediate family. Then they spend the day with their extended family, and have a big dinner in the late afternoon. Most Americans also go to church in the morning.

Christmas Day

In the US, we only celebrate Christmas and Christmas Eve. People have to work the week between Christmas and New Years. But people usually leave their decorations up until the beginning of January and are still in the holiday spirit.

The Christmas Season

Christmas is not the only holiday Americans celebrate in December. Many Americans who are Jewish celebrate Hannukah. Hannukah lasts for eight days, and is celebrated by lighting candles on the menorah, playing dredl, and eating latkes, or potato pancakes. Jewish children usually get a present on each day of Hannukah. Some African Americans celebrate a holiday called Kwanzaa in December, which celebrates their unique culture and origins.

Other Holidays

The Christmas season in the United States ends with New Years. On New Years Eve, 31st December, many Americans go to parties with their friends. In Times Square in NYC, there is a large ball that drops and counts down (10 seconds) to the new year at midnight. This is broadcasted so that people all over the country can watch it on TV.

New Years Traditions

A common tradition for New Years is to make a new years resolution. New years resolutions are goals people set for themselves for the year to come. For example, many people resolve (or promise) to stop smoking, or to exercise more regularly.

New Years Traditions

How do you celebrate Christmas in Spain?