In the United States of America, Christmas celebration starts right after Thanksgiving Day in late November. On the day following Thanksgiving – Black Friday – the Christmas shopping season starts as well. Indeed, department stores, shopping malls and small stores pursue Black Friday sales by offering good deals on holiday items as Christmas trees, gifts, apparels, and greeting cards.  American people embrace the true spirit of the holiday by engaging in `Christmasy` activities throughout the month of December. These include decorating the house – inside and outside, decorating the streets with colored lights, tinsel, angels, stars and other seasonal ornaments. A well decorated Christmas tree is often found as the centerpiece in public places. Christmas traditions also include sending Christmas cards, exchanging gifts, wrapping presents under the Christmas tree, singing traditional carols, and attending church services to commemorate the birth of Jesus-Christ, which is held either in the late afternoon or early evening of Christmas Eve.

There are more other traditional ways to celebrate Christmas in America. Although the traditions and customs of Christmas vary from State to State because of the multi-cultural nature and observance of the Holiday, the purpose of Christmas celebration does not change, but remains a family and community-centered celebration. Christmas is a real occasion for American people to honor family and help others through volunteering and doing good deeds.

In normal times, people gather with family and friends, to share joy, expressing gratitude and enjoying the traditional Christmas food and drinks on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve dinner mainly consists of roast turkey or ham, potatoes and pies, cakes, baked breads and cookies. Eggnog, the typical American traditional drink for adults made of cream, milk, sugar, beaten eggs and brandy or rum is also part of the dinner list. In addition to gathering with family around Christmas Eve dinner, some Americans get involved in charitable and volunteer work for the benefit of the neediest people.

Overall, this is how actually the festive season of Christmas is celebrated in the United States of America.  American people have many different traditions and ways to celebrate it according to their views of the Holiday. Furthermore, it is important to note that we are still living in a critical situation which does not allow families to meet. This Christmas will be a different one.

Edited by Volahanta Raharimanana

Source: ShareAmerica