Christmas in the USA involves several traditions and symbols. Popular decorations include lights, trees, wreaths and stockings. Foods like turkey, cookies and eggnog are commonly eaten for Christmas meals and gatherings. Americans celebrate through religious services, shows like The Nutcracker, and caroling. Children anticipate gifts brought by Santa Claus, who is said to deliver presents down the chimney on Christmas Eve.

1. Christmas in the USA
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Symbols
Traditions
Food & Drinks
Decorating – lights &
tree
Christmas Shows
Religious
Santa

2. Symbols & Decorations
Bells
Stocking
Lights
Ornament
Presents
Snowman

3. Natural Symbols & Decorations
Snowflake
Mistletoe
Tree
Wreath
Poinsettia
Holly

4. Religious Symbols & Decorations
Nativity Scene
Angel
Jesus in a Manger
Star
3 Wise Men
Candle

5. American Traditions: Food & Drink
Popular December foods are cookies,
gingerbread men, peppermint candy canes, and
eggnog.
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Everyone gets together with their family on the
24th and 25th and eat big meals together which
include turkey or ham.

6. Christmas Day Meal

7. Christmas Day Meal

8. Christmas Cookies
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9. American Traditions

10. Gingerbread Men

11. Gingerbread House

12. Candy Canes

13. American Traditions

14. Decorating for Christmas
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Most people decorate their houses with
lights and other Christmas symbols.
Cities also decorate along main streets and
squares.
It is popular to drive around town to look at
everyone's lights.

15. Christmas Decorations

16. Christmas Decorations

17. Christmas Decorations

18. Christmas Tree
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Everyone has a Christmas
tree in their house in
December.
There are many tree farms
in America and many
people go there to cut
down real trees.
Families decorate the tree
together.

19. Christmas Decorations

20. Christmas Decorations

21. Christmas Decorations

22. Christmas Decorations

23. Christmas Shows: The Nutcracker Ballet

24. Christmas Shows: The Christmas
Carol Play

25. Christmas Shows: The Rockette Dancers

26. Christmas Carols
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People who sing
Christmas songs are
called “carolers”.
Carolers often sing
around city centers,
stores, restaurants,
and houses.

27. Carolers

28. Carolers

29. Carolers

30. Religious Traditions
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Most families go to
church on Christmas
Eve night.
Churches usually
have a candlelight
service.

31. Religious Traditions

32. Religious Traditions

33. Story of Santa Claus (“St. Nick”)
Santa is a man who lives in the North Pole
with his wife, “Mrs. Claus”, and elves who
help him make toys for children. He has no
children of his own.
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He makes toys all year and every Christmas
Eve he gives them to good children
everywhere.
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34. Elves

35. Reindeer

36. Traditions with Santa
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American children
write lists of presents
they would like from
Santa.
It is also popular to
visit Santa to tell him
what you like and to
take a photo with
him.

37. Traditions with Santa
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Santa comes down
the chimney and
children leave him
cookies and milk to
say “thank you”.
Every family puts
stockings above the
fireplace for Santa to
put the gifts in.

38. Talking with Santa
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39. Talking with Santa
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40. Talking with Santa
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41. Santa's Job
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42. Symbols & Decorations

43. Natural Symbols & Decorations

44. Religious Symbols & Decorations