United States

Christmas is one of the most important and most enthusiastically celebrated festival in United States. In the multi-cultural and pluralistic society of US, Christmas is celebrated in several interesting ways.

History of Christmas in United States

History of Christmas celebration in United States dates back to the 19th century. In 1800s, Christmas was celebrated by Protestant Christians of Czech Republic. During 1830, Christmas started gaining popularity in America. The concept of decorating Christmas Tree came in 1840s. 1860 saw the appearance of Santa Claus - the mythical character with traditional white beard, red suit and round belly.
In United States of America, the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and pumpkin pies. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors.

Christmas Celebrations in Various Parts of US

Given here are some interesting and differentiating aspects of Christmas celebrations in various states of USA.

Canada: In Canada, Eskimos celebrate big Winter festival called Sinck Tuck by dancing and gift-giving party.

Alaska: In Alaska, favorite song Gristuusaaq suu'uq , or Christ is born is sang at each home. Alaskans decorate their doorways with pineapple representing, a symbol of hospitality.

Washington: A huge Christmas Tree is lit by the President to mark the Christmas celebration.

Boston: It is famous for its carols sung accompanied with hand bells.

New Orleans: A huge Ox decorated with holly and ribbons tied to its horns is paraded over the streets

Arizona: People of Arizona have kept alive the ritual of playing parts of Mary and Joseph. They visit each other's houses and look for each family's crib.

Hawaii: Here Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship. This ship brings a lot of Christmas fare.

California: Santa Claus comes on a surf board.

Belgium

On the sixth of December Sinterklaas or Saint-Nicholas is celebrated, which is an entirely different holiday from Christmas. Santa Claus in Belgium is called de Kerstman or le Père Noël and he does come around on Christmas day to bring children presents.

Brazil

Father Christmas is called Papai Noel. For dessert people enjoy some Brazilian sweets Brigadeiro made of condensed milk and chocolate. Both rich and poor have Christmas trees.

As there’s no snow in Brazil poor people put cotton over their Christmas tree branch to simulate snow.

People dressed as Santa Claus rappel down the facade of the Julio Prestes train station building in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Finland

Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. There is a even big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives.

Children receive their presents on Christmas Eve, usually with a family member dressing as Father Christmas. As children grow older, they come to realise that 'Father Christmas' is really a bigger brother, sister or family member.

France

In France, Christmas is always called 'Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too, with lights on all night.

Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Not everyone sends Christmas cards.

Germany

Germans love to decorate their houses at Christmas. Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles in their windows, and coloured pictures of paper or plastic which look beautiful from the outside at night. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' - a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and animals.

Father Christmas - 'Der Weihnachtsmann' - brings presents in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, after people have been to a church meeting.

Portugal

People adhere to the tradition that Father Christmas brings presents to children on Christmas Eve. The presents are left under the Christmas tree or in shoes by the fireplace. A special Christmas meal of salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Russia

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time - when 'Father Frost' brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated - either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and 'meat dumplings'.

Sweden

The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve - ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans - and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.