’American Christmas traditions’ - Learn English with ’My English Pass’

In the United States, many Americans and their families exchange presents. It is common to decorate a Christmas tree in the beginning of December and slowly start putting wrapped presents underneath it. On Christmas day these presents get to be opened. For children this moment is extra exciting. Children are used to hang up a Christmas stocking so it can be filled with candies, toys and other small gifts. Americans love to decorate their homes, yards and streets during the Christmas season. Some common Christmas decorations include lights, wreaths, candy canes, snowmen, Santa Claus or elves. Many Americans engage in other traditions every year like listening to Christmas popular songs or singing Christmas carols, sending Christmas greeting cards to family and friends, attending religious services and volunteering in charity organizations. On Christmas Day, Americans have a large meal with their family. The food they eat is very similar to the food they eat on Thanksgiving. They usually eat turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and many different vegetables. For dessert, many variations of pies, cookies and cakes are common. A popular drink of the Christmas season is eggnog. It is a sweet creamy milky beverage usually served with cinnamon and nutmeg. Adults like to add some alcohol like spiced rhum.