CHRISTMAS IN USA

The United States of America has many different traditions and ways that people celebrate Christmas, because of its multi-cultural nature. Some Americans use pop-corn threaded on string to help decorate their Christmas Tree! Making gingerbread houses is also popular to make and eat at Christmas!

Many Americans, especially Christians will go to Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Many churches have special Christmas Carol services and events where the story of Christmas is told. Americans also send out Christmas Cards, like Carol singing and there's the unusual custom of the Christmas Pickle!

The Christmas Holiday season begins in November

In the USA, the Christmas season traditionally begins just after the Thanksgiving holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. The Saturday immediately following Thanksgiving is the occasion for a spectacular parade in New York City with the arrival of Santa Claus signaling the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

In Hawaii, Santa is called Kanakaloka!

In the Southwest USA, there are some special customs which have some similarities to those in parts of Mexico. These include 'luminarias' or 'farolitos' which are paper sacks partly filled with sand and then have a candle put in them. They are lit on Christmas Eve and are put the edges of paths. They represent 'lighting the way' for somewhere for Mary and Joseph to stay. Christmas in USA, The United States has such a diversity of cultures and traditions, it is actually quite difficult to say what is uniquely American. Many of the Christmas holiday activities vary from family to family and often depend on the cultural heritage of the family members.

Santa Claus is America's Saint Nicholas

Santa Claus was originally based on Saint Nicholas, a European Christian bishop renown for his generosity in giving gifts to poor neighbors during the harsh winters. In the USA, Santa Claus is usually portrayed as a jolly, fat man with flowing white beard dressed in a red suit. He drives a magic sled pulled by eight reindeer and flies around the world on the night before Christmas delivering gifts of toys and sweets to all the children.

Christmas Day is usually an intimate family celebration

Many families in the US place a small evergreen tree in their home and decorate it with colored lights and bright ornaments. On Christmas morning, the children awake to find gaily-wrapped gifts under their Christmas tree. Children often hang empty stockings over their fireplace on Christmas Eve and awaken the next morning to find them filled with sweets and small toys. Typical activities in the month of December are shopping for Christmas or Hanukah gifts and attending holiday parties. The parties usually include plenty of food, drink and holiday cheer. Christmas Eve and Christmas day are usually reserved for religious observance and family celebration. Family members from near and far usually unite on Christmas Day for an annual Holiday feast. If there are young children in the family, small gifts of sweets or toys are always well appreciated.

RJ DIGITAL WEB TECH WISHES MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Decorations

Christmas Decorations there are many things that can spark the Christmas spirit, the arrival of cold weather, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the presence of family are all examples. People start thinking on Christmas decoration ideas days in advance as early planning is always recommended. Whether installing own decorations, or having it done, it's always better to make the arrangements early. Perfect Christmas decorating needs a plan or a theme such as selecting among the rustic lodge Christmas, a Toyland Christmas, countries around the world, Victorian, country, Santa, snowmen, old fashioned, the list goes on and on.

Holiday decorations create a warm, welcoming environment. Traditionally, decorating for Christmas is done with wreaths, trees, Christmas lights and bows as these capture and stimulate the Christmas Spirit. people enjoy the task of designing, installing and maintaining the holiday decor.

New Years Evening is party time

During the week after Christmas, stores fill with shoppers exchanging Christmas gifts and taking advantage of the after-Christmas clearance sales. On New Years Eve, parties abound in restaurants, bars and clubs throughout the US. They tend to be noisy affairs with drinking, dancing and wild celebration. Some cities hold great outdoor parties that end with fireworks displays at midnight. The most famous outdoor New Years Eve party is held at Times Square in New York City. The first day of the new year marks the end of the holiday season and is usually spent at home recuperating and watching football on the television. Some families host a New Year dinner party for friends and neighbors.

Conclusion:

It is the occasion for an annual family reunion and it creates a pervasive atmosphere of generosity and good cheer known as the "Christmas Spirit" throughout the country. Christmas Day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated generally on December 25 (or in the evening of December 24, Christmas Eve, in some countries) as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world.

RJ DIGITAL WEB TECH WISHES YOU A VERY HAPPY MERRY CHRISTMAS!