Christmas is December 25th. It is a famous holiday celebrated by people from all over the world. In the USA, The holiday season, which includes Christmas, typically begins in late November, from Thanksgiving through to New Years's Day. Let's explore the various traditions and customs that make Christmas special in the USA.

Decorations

One of the first signs of the holiday season is the decoration of homes and public spaces. Americans often adorn their houses with Christmas lights, wreaths, and ornaments. Many families have a Christmas tree, usually a fir or pine, which is decorated with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. In addition to homes, city streets and public places are often illuminated with colorful lights and festive decorations.

Traditional Colors

The traditional colors of Christmas  are primarily Red and Green. This follows the colors of the holly bush which is native to most of North America. Holly was used in many kinds of ways to add a festive color to holiday decorations. They were strung along fireplaces, doors and walls, and placed around candles and table centerpieces.

Holly decorations

Holly Bush

The secondary colors are white, silver, and gold. White for snow, silver for shiny things like stars, and gold for wealth.

But you DON"T have to stick with traditional colors.  Pastels and other soft colors are also popular.

 Downtown Lights

 Home Decor

 House Lights

 Neighborhood Lights

Shopping Area lights

Santa Claus

Santa Claus is a famous Christmas Icon. He is also known as Kriss Kringle, Saint Nick, and Father Christmas. Santa Clause plays a central role in American Christmas celebrations. Children eagerly await his arrival on the night of December 24th, when he is believed to deliver presents to well-behaved kids. The image of Santa, with his red suit, white beard, and black boots, is omnipresent during the holiday season. Many families take their children to meet Santa at shopping malls or community events, where they can share their Christmas wishes.

Santa is based on a real man whose Name was Saint Nick. He was a rich man who decided to give away all his wealth. So he went around giving secrets gifts and money to those in need. This all happened more than a thousand years ago, and people have been celebrating his kindness ever since. But He  was celebrated by many different peoples and cultures in many different ways before Santa became the Icon that we know of today. In fact, there were always a variety of depictions of Santa until the Coca Cola company began using him in their ad campaigns in the 1920s. By the 1930s, Coca Cola settled on a depiction of Santa that remains with us until today.  Here is a look at some of the Santa depictions before the modern Santa.

show   8 more depictions of early Santa

A Visit from St. Nicholas  (1823, poem)

Coca Cola wasn't the first to make Santa a Jolly fat man in a Red Suit. Here are Two pictures from before the 1930s Coca Cola ad campaigns.

These first depictions of our current idea of Santa is due in large part to the popularity of a famous American poem. 

Called "A Visit from St. Nicholas", this author described his version of what Santa looked like. 

This was the same description that Coca Cola picked up on later and settled into the American minds with their ad campaigns.

As well, this poem, late known as "Twas the Night before Christmas", is the story that introduces us to Santa's sleigh and flying reindeer.

The Coca Cola Ad Campaigns (began 1930s)

show   4 more depictions of Coca Cola's Santa

Gift Giving

Exchanging gifts is a significant part of the Christmas tradition in the USA. Families and friends exchange presents as a symbol of love and generosity. Many Americans participate in a tradition called "Secret Santa," where individuals draw names and anonymously give gifts to the person they've selected. In addition to personal gift-giving, many people also contribute to charitable causes during the holiday season.

 Presents under the tree

Christmas Caroling

Parades and Events

Many cities across the USA host Christmas parades and events. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, for example, is famous for its giant balloons and festive floats. In addition to parades, communities organize tree lighting ceremonies, holiday markets, and festive performances to bring people together in the spirit of the season.

 Parades

 A float

 A marching band

The last float is always Santa Claus

Performances

A play called "A Christmas Carol"

 A Christmas Orchestra

A Christmas Choir

The Nutcracker Ballet (or on Ice)

Tree ornaments

Christmas ornaments are decorative items used to adorn Christmas trees during the holiday season. These ornaments come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, adding a festive touch to the tree and the overall Christmas decorations. The tradition of using ornaments to decorate Christmas trees dates back to the 16th century in Germany, and it has since become a widespread custom around the world.

Glass balls: Nowadays, not all glass balls are really glass, since real glass balls break easily, especially if you have children around. Nevertheless, despite what they are made from, they are all very shiny and come in many colors , from bright red and green to soft pastels. Some balls are covered in glitter. They also come in various sizes—softball size, baseball size, and golf ball size.

Tree-Toppers (Star or Angel)

Stars, Snowflakes, and Stars that look like snowflakes: These ornaments can be found everywhere. They are white, silver, or gold and are placed on the trees and throughout the house.

String of Lights: While not traditional ornaments, Christmas lights are essential decorations for trees. Strings of lights with colorful bulbs or clear lights make the tree really shine.

Figurines: Some ornaments take the form of small figurines or statuettes, often representing Christmas characters like Santa Claus, reindeer, angels, or snowmen. These figurines may be made of various materials, including wood, ceramic, or resin.

Santa, elves and reindeer

Snowman ornament

Angel ornaments

Handmade Ornaments: Many people cherish the tradition of creating their own ornaments. Handmade ornaments can be made from almost anything. Children love making them, and keeping them gives parents a cherished memory

Ribbons and Bows: Ribbons and bows are not just for gift boxes. They are used to create a finishing touch on the tree. They can be tied to branches, or strung around the tree. Lace ribbons look especially nice wrapped around the tree.

Ribbon wrapped around a tree.

Bow tied to a tree

Home decorations

Christmas decorations make homes look festive and happy. Let's talk about some favorites:

Wreaths

• Wreaths are round decorations made from green branches, pine cones, holly and a big colorful bow. People usually hang them on the front door to say, "Welcome!" The round shape means togetherness and hope, even when it's cold outside.

Nativity Scenes

• Nativity scenes are small scenes that show the birth of Jesus. You might see Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, and angels. People put them on tables or shelves. They remind us about the special story of Christmas and the idea of being kind and giving. Nativity scenes usually consist Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, and three wise men. The three wise men seem to have been rich travellers, as there gifts to young Jesus were hard to come by and expensive.
  

Christmas Villages

• Imagine a tiny winter village with small houses, people, and lights. That's a Christmas village! People like them because they make a small, cozy world that feels happy and nostalgic. They bring back memories of simple joys during the holiday season.

Candles and Candle Holders

• Candles are like little lights that make a room feel warm. They come in Christmas colors and shapes. Candles are special because they show hope and light during the dark, cold winter. They make homes feel calm and peaceful.

Stockings

• Stockings are like big socks that people hang near the fireplace. Children love them because they're filled with surprises and treats on Christmas morning. This tradition is a bit mysterious and adds excitement to the holiday season.

Gingerbread Houses

• Gingerbread houses are sweet, edible houses made from gingerbread cookies and decorated with icing, candies, and other delicious treats. They have frosting roofs, candy cane fences, and gumdrop gardens. Not only do gingerbread houses make great decorations, making them can be a fun family activity and memorable family tradition. You can buy kits to put together, instead of baking it yourself. You can also by pre-made gingerbread houses from the bakery. As well, you can just buy a fake gingerbread house because they are just too cute.

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Dinner can be on either Christmas Eve or Christmas day. When family members have to travel quite a distance to return home, some families will start cooking Christmas Dinner in the morning or afternoon of Christmas Day. Christmas dinners usually include roasted turkey or roasted ham. There are side dishes of mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or cream corn, green beans or roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls. Desserts are apple pie, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, chocolate cake, or cupcakes. The imagination is the limit on Christmas deserts. There are cookies galore: sugar cookies, ginger cookies, frosted sugar cookies, and sugar-powdered cookies with nuts.

Turkey! Just one turkey can  feed a really large family.

If you don't work turkey again so soon after Thanksgiving, then bring out the ham!

There will be a lot more than just the food below. However, these are the staple dishes for most Christmas dinners: green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Stuffing are bread crumbs that have been heavily seasoned and baked with the turkey drippings.

Again, there will be a huge variety of dessert choices, but here are the the three most popular pies:  Pumpkin pie , Pecan pie, and Apple pie.