Christmas in the USA Rubén Serrano Irene Gil Eduardo Díaz Isabel Lasheras

Introduction VARIETY OF TRADITIONS: The United States has a lot of diversity of cultures and traditions which vary from family to family and often depend on the cultural heritage. Notwithstanding it, there is a Christmas tradition which is celebrated passing a good time with the family. The differing climates of the United States also have an influence on what happens at Christmas time. ACTIVITIES: Many families feel that it is important to go to church on Christmas, which organises a lot of activities such as church dinners, choir concerts... Also the president and important people give speeches that are televised.

DECORATIONS: The Christmas tree is also important. It is decorated with ornaments such as boles, little presents, bows... and at the top there is a star or an angel. Many families also decorate outside of the home. The most common ornaments are displays. snowmen, Santas, manger scenes, snowflakes, reindeer, and other lighted

Important days It is celebrated on 24th December. Families meet and have a diner and they light the tree. People go to bed and then, Santa Claus puts the presents under the Christmas tree. It is the most important day, and it is celebrated on 25th. In the morning, they take their presents. However, celebrating Christmas is not only to have gifts. People in the USA celebrate it meeting the family or friends having a special Christmas lunch in front of the decorated Christmas tree. CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

It is celebrated on 31st December, the last day of the year. A particularly aspect, is the ball drop in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. The bole is lighted and it goes down, and at it falls at the bottom at exactly midnight. In other places, there are other objects that fall. For example, a giant replica of a peach (Atlanta, Georgia). It is celebrated on 1st January and it marks the end of the last year, and the beginning of the New Year. It is shown by fireworks, and there, people make resolutions for the coming year. NEW YEAR’S EVE NEW YEAR’S DAY

Christmas presents Christmas presents are a common tradition on Christmas day. The parents buy presents in the shops, which are full of people in this time; but for children is Santa Claus who make and give it. When they get up in the morning of the 25th, they have their presents under the tree. But some adults exchange gifts from each other. Celebrating Christmas has nothing to do with spending a lot of money and some people make the gifts and the presents because is more important the illusion and the detail than the cost of the presents. Also they exchange Christmas postcards that they made or buy.

Christmas meals Food plays an important part in the American Christmas. Family and friends usually meet at houses, where there is a family environment. There, they have meals, where they talk and have a good time. Many families serve a variety of menus for Christmas dinner, but the main foodstuffs are turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a salad and for dessert, they serve Christmas pudding and pumpkin pie. Cookies, candies and cakes are also important desserts. The Christmas cakes are imaginative, cookies have a lot of shapes, flavors and colors, and the preparation of candies is very important to join the family during the holidays.