In the United States, the holiday season brings families together. Families get together, enjoy a Christmas dinner, listen to festive music, and give each other gifts. American traditions vary by family, but here are several popular traditions celebrated by Americans. On Christmas eve, Santa arrives with his reindeer sleigh, slides through the chimney, and loads the Christmas tree with presents. The Santa Claus legend has its origin in Turkey, but was brought to America by Dutch immigrants and gained popularity through the stories of author Washington Irving. In the 1930s, the Coca-Cola brand shaped today’s characteristic look of Santa Claus: friendly features, white beard, red clothing.
Christmas Traditions
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was invented in 1938 by the department store Montgomery Ward as a marketing ploy to get children to buy coloring books.
Another wonderful tradition is to send greeting cards to family and friends. Many Americans also take an annual Christmas photo of the whole family and send it on a personalized Christmas greeting card. Previously, the U.S. Postal Service delivered approximately 15 billion letters and cards each year. Today, it’s mostly eCards or Christmas letters sent via email. Children often send a Christmas letter to Santa Claus and tell him their Christmas wishes.
The traditional Christmas dinner is served with dishes similar to those of the Thanksgiving feast. Turkey, baked ham, and all kinds of side dishes and desserts. Americans also love eggnog, a festive drink for the holidays.
Another American tradition is for children to hang socks by the fireplace, which Santa stuffs with sweets and small gifts on Christmas Day.
It was not until 1870 that Christmas was declared a public holiday in the United States. The spelling “X-mas” for Christmas goes back to a Greek abbreviation. The X or cross is a symbol for the word Christ. We at 50 Plus wish you a Merry Christmas!