Christmas Traditions in the United States

of America

The Story of Santa Claus

Santa lives in the North Pole. He is very fat and happy. He loves children. Every year on Christmas Eve he rides on a sleigh with reindeer and presents. He goes down through the chimney and puts the presents under the tree.

Asking Santa for Presents

• Before Christmas children go to the shopping mall to sit on Santa Claus’s lap• He asks you if you are

naughty or nice• If you are a good boy or

girl, you receive presents for Christmas• Do you know what we

do to say thank you to Santa?

To say thank you for the presents, children leave Santa milk and cookies!

Santa Claus, The Three Wise Men and Presents

• In the USA we do not celebrate The Three Wise Men• Instead of the three kings, Santa Claus brings the children presents on Christmas Eve• The children open the presents on Christmas Day

“THE ELF ON THE SHELF”•Families buy a doll called “THE ELF ON THE SHELF”•He moves around the house•You can’t touch the elf or he looses his magic•He watches you before Christmas and sees if you are a naughty or nice boy or girl

Are you a naughty or nice boy/girl?

FoodThe Christmas food in the USA is similar

to Thanksgiving foodSpanish Christmas Meal American Christmas Meal

Christmas Treats•The most famous Christmas treat in the USA is the candy cane

•We also eat sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies

Stockings •Families hang stockings over the fireplace•Santa puts candy and little toys in the stockings•On Christmas Eve the children open their stockings

Decorations

Families decorate trees and

hang ornaments

Families decorate their houses with lights

Christmas songs and carols

Christmas songs are

very popular to sing in DecemberPeople also

go caroling in the street