How Christmas is celebrated in the United States

Christmas is a religious celebration that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Every country, town and home celebrates it in its own way, according to its culture, customs and traditions. In the United States, parties with Christmas character begin in November, just after the night of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of this month. The following Saturday, in New York, there is a great parade with Santa Claus that inaugurates the Christmas season. Some very interesting customs, that's why we explain how Christmas is celebrated in the United States.

When does Christmas begin in the United States?

Christmas in the United States begins with a special event: the lighting of the National Christmas Tree lights ; this gives the kick-off to the Christmas season in this country. This Christmas tree is the one in front of the White House (the house of the president of North America) and, every year, it is lit by the president during an outdoor ceremony. Celebrities and celebrities come to this event that has already become a tradition of this era.

The lighting is accompanied by a large party in which various performances and small concerts that welcome the Christmas are performed. Americans can watch this event on television or, they can also participate in a raffle of invitations held a month earlier.

In addition, something to take into account how Christmas is celebrated in the United States is that December 25 is celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, original meaning and reason for celebrating Christmas. In the United States, although it retains that religious origin, Christmas is a party based on consumerism and shopping. Its streets are adorned in an incredible way, its stores likewise, offering also special products. It becomes a general celebration of consumerism .

Santa Claus at Christmas in United States

Santa Claus for the Americans is the equivalent to the European Saint Nicholas, that saint who during the winter gave necessary things to the poor children. In America, Santa Claus is represented as an older man, with a long white beard and dressed in red. A happy and smiling man in his sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer travels the world the night before Christmas giving gifts to all children.

But if you want to know how Christmas is celebrated in the United States we must point out that in this country they use a very characteristic element: stocking or socks for Santa . It is one of the most characteristic symbols of Christmas in the USA and it is about hanging in the fireplace some socks with Christmas motifs and that are personalized with the name of each member of the family. Inside, Santa Claus will leave candies, small gifts and little notes.

Another differential fact of Christmas in the United States is that gifts do not open on the 24th at night but children wait at 25 in the morning, on Christmas day, to open their presents. So, the night of Christmas Eve has no relevance in this country and, however, it does have breakfast on December 25 because it is when the gifts are opened.

How is the Christmas dinner in the United States

December 25 is celebrated as a family . Family members gather for dinner, eat, drink and enjoy the reunion of loved ones. In general, everyone usually carries some present, sweet or something that accompanies the evening.

Unlike many European countries, December 24 is not celebrated in the United States, but is the 25th when they gather together with the family to enjoy the Christmas dinner together. On the 24th at night the shops close at twelve o'clock at night to allow families to buy their last gifts.

Among the traditional Christmas menu of the United States we highlight turkey, mashed potatoes and salty cakes such as meat, tuna, seafood, and so on. The traditional drink is eggnog, brandy and rum.

In we tell you how to make stuffed roast turkey, the typical dish of the Americans.

Other traditional Christmas meals in the United States

Within the Christmas traditions of the United States we must not fail to mention some of the culinary deities that are made this season. Next, we will discover two of the most outstanding and traditional, apart from the stuffed roast turkey that we have already mentioned:

• Eggnog or Eggnog : thought for both adults and children, this punch is a must at Christmas dinner. It is a drink made with eggs, milk and sugar that is imported from England.
• Christmas cookies or Christmas cookies : another tradition that is not missing in the house of an American are Christmas cookies, that is, a type of candy made with ginger and that has Christmas figures such as stars, trees, snowmen, etc. In we tell you how to prepare Christmas cookies.

The importance of Christmas greeting cards in the United States

It is very typical during these holidays to send Christmas greeting cards to friends and loved ones, wishing them happy holidays, love, peace and lots of love. A detail that makes Christmas special and that fills the homes and hearts of people with joy and good wishes.

Christmas in the United States is not celebrated without these postcards, which usually have the family as the main protagonist. These postcards are personalized and sent to loved ones; It is tradition that, on these dates, all the postcards received over the fireplace are hung or placed on a table with Christmas motifs.

If this year you want to be original with your congratulations, we recommend our article of the funniest Christmas greetings.

Christmas decoration in the United States

Decoration in the United States is a complement that is part of the Christmas party. The streets, shops, public and private places are filled with Christmas joy in such a way that contagious locals and tourists. Among the most outstanding decorative elements, Christmas lights are especially important in the United States and, in fact, most houses have an elaborate decoration filled with colorful lights and Christmas figures such as Santa Claus; the tree can not be absent in the gardens of the Americans either.

Within the Christmas decoration we also highlight the importance of the mistletoe, a plant that is placed on the door or in the entrance to the living room and that represents a tradition: if two people are under the mistletoe, they should kiss and take a fruit.

The Christmas tree in the United States

If you want to know how Christmas is celebrated in the United States you have to know that the Christmas tree has a very special importance. It is clear that in Europe also trees are inside our homes, but in most American families these trees are natural . Going to look for the Christmas tree is, even, a family ritual that is known as Christmas tree decoration party and it is about the whole family going to look for the tree while they listen to Christmas carols.

These trees do not go to the forest but there are special farms called Christmas Tree Farms that are responsible for planting and selling the Christmas trees. They are usually tall pines that are placed next to the fireplace to facilitate the journey to Santa Claus.

How the New Year is celebrated in the United States

The New Year is a party that is usually celebrated with friends. Throughout the week, bars and clubs welcome hundreds of people, groups of friends who celebrate the last days of the year with love, joy and wanting to start the new year even better.

On December 31, when the new year begins, fireworks color the sky of the United States and everyone celebrates in their own way, always with party and fun.

Christmas carols in North America

Carols are a classic in Christmas around the world but, the truth is that in the United States go a step further: in the streets you can find groups of adults who meet spontaneously to sing Christmas carols in any corner ; In the shopping centers, Christmas carols are often sung by a children's choir. One of the most usual topics is "Silent Night". This Christmas tradition in the United States is known as " Christmas carols ".

The American Christmas parades

And finally, if you want to know how Christmas is celebrated in the United States, it is important that we emphasize the importance of the Christmas Parades or, what is the same, the Christmas Parades . In most American cities you can find parades that highlight the Christmas spirit to the rhythm of Christmas carols and messages of love and peace.

• Let yourself be carried away by the spirit and the Christmas culture if you visit the United States on those dates.
• A good time to shop, the most special and admired items can be found in any of its stores.