Every country has its own traditions and customs for celebrating Christmas. The English-speaking countries celebrate Christmas on December 25th. This day is preceded by numerous preparations: every building on the street is decorated in a fairytale style, postcards and presents for family members and friends are bought, evergreen Christmas trees are erected on central squares of each city, Christmas carols are heard everywhere, etc. These preparations can start long before the actual holiday. For example, a month before the air is already filled by the atmosphere of Christmas. Modern stores and malls provide countless sales, which are rather beneficial. American people love to shop before Christmas. They can buy nice dresses and costumes for the coming holiday.
The USA is one of those countries where Christmas is the main event of the year. People of all ages love this holiday, not only because it’s a day-off, but also because it gives the opportunity to have lots of fun and to spend time in a family circle. It also denotes the beginning of New Year and new life. The day after Christmas is known as the Boxing Day. It’s when everybody opens the presents, which are found under the Christmas tree. Santa Claus is thought to be the one who brings these presents. Children believe that he enters the houses through chimney and leaves the gifts for them either under the tree or in colorful stockings, hanging above the fireplace.
Some Americans on the night of Christmas attend the mass at church. The traditional dish for dinner is a roast turkey with vegetables, rosemary and cranberry sauce. For dessert they serve either a fruit pie, a pudding with brandy sauce or pumpkin pies. Before going to bed people make wishes for the coming year. The tradition to celebrate Christmas in the United States dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. In 1800 Czech Protestants have started celebrating this holiday, which soon became rather popular. Already in 1840s people were putting up Christmas trees in their houses and in 1860s a magic red-costumed man with white beard appeared. It was Santa Claus, which got its name from St Nicholas. The tradition of Christmas card sending appeared in 1842. It was the year when a man, named William Egley, sent first one hundred cards to his friends. Since then, billions of cards are sent annually in the United States.