KIDPROJ MCC: Christmas Day

A Page From the KIDPROJ Multi-Cultural Calendar
Christmas Day - United States
by Kenny

24 December

As you know, this date is a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. However, it has become very much a secular holiday as well. I decided to put in an entry because I have come across many people from other countries that really don't understand the ins and outs of Christmas in America.

There are many aspects of Christmas, but I'll be brief. On Christmas Eve, I usually try to be with my family (mom, dad and siblings) even if I have to fly half way across the country. We choose to have our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve rather than on Dec 25. The traditional "American" foods for Christmas are: ham or turkey, cranberry sauce, fruit cake (made with candied fruits, butter and flour) and egg nog (cream, sugar, eggs and nutmeg.) It's a very special and sentimental time for everyone to get together. It is customary for people to try to be polite to one another and to put aside differences, (even if just for a few days) at Christmas time. After dinner, we sing Christmas carols (most are from the UK, Germany, etc. Some modern carols are from the U.S.) or we watch a Christmas program on tv. Later that night, we open our presents (some people choose to open their gifts on Christmas morning). The tradition of opening gifts on Christmas eve probably started to avoid having small children waking up at 5 am Christmas morning anticipating gifts. The most popular gifts for children are, of course toys. Adults tend to receive gifts of clothing or food. Food gifts are usually given to acquaintences or colleagues at work. Clothes are considered more personal gifts (husband to wife, sister to brother, etc.) In general, the idea is to select a gift that one thinks the receipient will like. Some people give unusual gifts such as airplane tickets, a new car, a book of photos (usually from a girlfriend to boyfriend or vice versa). My family and I usually try to go to church at midnight for a midnight service. It's a happy time of the year. I hope that your website visitors will find this info helpful. We Westerners assume that how we celebrate Christmas is universal, but actually, many millions of people round the world are not really familiar with our customs.

From United States by
Kenny - 15

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