Christmas in the United States and Canada
Many of the celebrations in the United States that are associated
with Christmas were traditions brought by German and English
immigrants. Along with the well-known and practiced tradition of a
brightly decorated Christmas tree, other traditions brought by these
immigrants include Advent calendars, Christmas greeting cards,
gingerbread houses and gingerbread cookies.

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Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish
people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The
celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas however.
The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also one reason that people
also give wishes of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas during
the season.

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The tradition of Christmas trees in America came from German
immigrants who had settled in Pennsylvania. It is believed that the
tradition of Christmas trees started in Germany from as early as 700
A.D and was practiced by many Germans in the 1800s. It’s also since
that period that Christmas trees have also been available for sale in
the United States. While artificial Christmas trees are popular, many
people like to have a fresh Christmas tree in their homes, or outside
on their lawns. And similar to all other trees, Christmas trees also
have different shapes and qualities that make some types more popular
than others.

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In Finland, Christmas Eve is the traditional time to set up the Christmas tree
and it’s also traditional to visit the sauna and for families to listen to a
broadcast of the national ‘Peace of Christmas’ on the radio. Christmas Dinner
generally consists of a main dish of boiled codfish that is snowy and fluffy in
appearance, served with cream sauce and boiled potatoes. Christmas dinner is
rounded out with roast suckling pig or roasted fresh ham and vegetables. Among
peasants, there is a tradition to tie a sheaf of grain, with nuts and seeds, to
a pole that is put in a garden for birds. Many peasants will wait until after
the birds have eaten before having their Christmas Dinner. And Santa Claus is
expected to visit homes in person with his Christmas elves to give out Christmas
gifts.

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Christmas in the Birthplaces of Traditions — Bethlehem, Germany and England

Christmas as celebrated today is a culmination of centuries of
traditions that are religious and secular and which came from different
countries around the world. It is interesting therefore to look at some of the
general ways in which Christmas is celebrated in these countries. The traditions
examined for each country will be examples of some of the things that are unique
to that country and which are done today, or which were once done by people in
those countries.

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The real meaning of Christmas, the season of good cheer, is about giving
especially to provide some assistance to those who need help for their daily
survival and who therefore don’t have the material resources to enjoy the
Christmas season. The importance of giving to those in need during Christmas is
embodied in the story of Jesus’ birth, which is the reason Christmas is
celebrated.

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Have a Chic Christmas - All About Style and Fashion for the Holidays

In New York, a style capital of the world, black is always a chic and
fashionable selection. That’s even more so in the Fall and Winter seasons when
dark colors are favored. But even the fashionistas who like somber colors add a
bit of sparkle and cheer to Christmas and holiday clothing with some color,
usually magnificent red.

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Commercial activities during Christmas today are often decried as making
the season too materialistic. This has caused comments that the religious aspect
of Christmas is so overlooked and overshadowed that its celebration seems to be
purely pagan. But today’s comparisons aren’t the first there has been some link
between Christmas and pagan celebrations. As a religious, church leaders
instituted Christmas during winter because that time of year was a popular for
the celebrations of many pagan festivals. The hope was that Christmas would also
become a holiday that would gain much popularity.

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Although adults like to receive gifts, many will readily forego the
pleasure by sacrificing, if it means a small member of the family will be
totally pleased and delighted with their Christmas gift. Seeing the sparkle of
joy in children’s eyes when they receive a toy or other Christmas present
certainly confirms that Christmas is for children. And after all, Santa brings
gifts for all the good little boys and girls, not for moms and dads or other
adults.

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Because Christmas is a time to be with family, loved ones and friends, it
is one of the busiest times of the year to travel. People locally, to different
regions and to international destinations to share Christmas dinners, exchange
gifts and recall fond memories they have of the season. There’s also travel for
entertainment reasons that’s done by tourists within the country or from abroad.
And even on Christmas Day, the highways are busy with vehicles as relatives and
friends travel between towns and states to spend the day together.

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