CHRISTMAS IN THE UNITED STATES

  Christmas in 

  the United States  

For people in the United States, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year because it is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Although you have probably seen some American Christmas movies, you will want to know a little more about Christmas in this country. In this article you will find more information about Christmas in the USA.

When does Christmas start?

The Christmas season starts on the fourth Thursday of November with the celebration of Thanksgiving, one of the most popular and important holidays in the country. So if you travel to the United States at Christmas, you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere (music and decoration) all through the month of December!

What is celebrated at Christmas?

• Christmas Day

The most important day is December 25th, which is Christmas Day. It is usually celebrated with a big family dinner and this usually includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and salty meat pies. Besides, it is the day when Santa Claus arrives! That’s why families usually have breakfast together while they open all the gifts he left the night before.

• New Years

The New Year’s celebration is usually among friends and with a lot of partying. That is why, in most cities of the country, there are fireworks displays as soon as the New Year begins. It is said that the first love encounter is a good indication that everything will go well during the year. For this reason, one of the most famous customs is to kiss the first person you meet at the beginning of the year.

The most typical Christmas traditions in the United States

There are many typical Christmas traditions thanks to the country’s multiculturalism. Here are some of them!

• Christmas stocking

Stocking is one of the characteristic symbols of Christmas. Each family member hangs his or her sock in the fireplace and Santa leaves candies and small gifts inside.

• Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is one of America’s great Christmas traditions. And as it is usually a natural tree, its decoration is an annual ritual in which the whole family gets together to decorate it. Underneath it is where Santa Claus must leave all the gifts for the children.

• Decoration and lights

In the United States, it is very typical to decorate the exterior of the houses with colourful lights that usually form figures like Christmas trees or Santa Claus.

• Mistletoe

It is usually hung on the front doors of houses or in living rooms. And it is said that when two people meet under it, they have to kiss each other.

• Gingerbread cookies

As in any country, sweets cannot be missing at Christmas. In the United States, gingerbread and cinnamon cookies in the shape of a doll are very typical.

Places to visit for Christmas

You can visit many places (San Francisco, Chicago, Boston...) for Christmas in the United States, but the most emblematic one is New York. 

New York is the city for excellence to spend Christmas. One of the main attractions is the famous Rockefeller Center ice rink in front of a giant Christmas tree. In addition, with the arrival of the New Year, more than a million people usually gather in the famous Times Square, where at 12 o’clock there are always fireworks.

Adapted from https://www.howlanders.com/blog