Christmas traditions in America

1. CHRISTMAS
in
America

2. The History of Christmas
Christmas was
celebrated all over
Europe as early as
the 1300s.

3. In America…
The Pilgrims from Europe that came
to the United States DID NOT CELEBRATE
Christmas because it was a PAGAN
HOLIDAY.
Christmas was FORBIDDEN in some
states

4. BUT in the 1819
A famous WRITER Washington Irving
wrote stories about the celebration of
Christmas.

5. Changing Christmas
Irving made Christmas into a celebration
about PEACE, FAMILY, LOVE, and
BRINGING TOGETHER all groups of
people of all different social classes
Americans began
to celebrate Christmas!

6. December 25th
is a religious
holiday in the
Catholic Church

7. Why December 25th
?
December 25th
is the BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION of Jesus Christ.
There is CHURCH or a
MASS every Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day.
Nativity
Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WROBkjlm0Pw&feature=related

8. Christmas
symbols and
traditions in
America

9. Christmas Tree
Starting AFTER THANKSGIVING…
People go to CHRISTMAS TREE
FARMS
and pick out their favorite tree.

10. We decorate our
Christmas Trees
with…GARLAND TINSLE
ORNAMENTS
LIGHTS

11. We also use
POPCORN AND
CANDY CANES to
decorate our trees
We put a STAR on
the top of the tree
to symbolize the
nativity of Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Hv9YmhGpw&feature=related

12. Kissing under
the
MISTLETOE
Traditional
plants
Poinsettias
Stuffing STOCKINGS with
small toys or candy
Holly

13. Presents or Gifts We WRAP them and put them UNDER the
tree
We also make
CARDS to Family
and Friends

14. “Sharing is Caring”
Christmas is a time for GIVING
THE SALVATION ARMY is an
organization that COLLECTS MONEY
during Christmas and buys gifts for the
poor

15. Food and Drinks
Gingerbread man
and house Egg nog
and hot
cider
Nutcracker

16. We decorate our houses!
We put wreaths on
our
front
door

17. What
ABOUT
SANTA?

18. St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas, was born in Turkey in the
4th century.
Devoted his life to CHRISTIANTY
He is known for his GENEROSITY for
the poor.
The original
Santa Claus

19. St. Nick
Names for Santa TODAY:
Jolly Ol’ St. Nick
Santa Claus
Father Christmas
Kris
Kringle
Santa is a SYMBOL of
Generosity

20. The Story of
Santa
Santa LIVES in the
North Pole
He has…
REINDEER
SLEIGH
ELVES

21. Write letters to Santa
We sit on
Santa’s lap
and tell
Him what we
want for
Christmas
IN STORES….

22. Children leave
cookies and milk for
Santa to eat and
then after they fall
asleep…
On Christmas Eve
...Santa goes
down the
CHIMNEY to the
houses…
…And
DELIVERS
PRESENTS

23. Classic Christmas Stories
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6YAOYs3ObzI
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?
v=LtwVgOmPNPE&feat
ure=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR_8kmOmxyk&feature=related
http://www.flixster.com/
movie/how-the-grinch-
stole-christmas1966
http://www.my
space.com/vid
eo/vid/537861
0

24. Christmas
Carols
• The Twelve Days of Christmas
• Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
• Frosty The Snowman
• Jingle Bells
• The First Noel
• Oh Holy Night
• White Christmas
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
And so much more!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3iL9KEKBxM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJHXrFxhV7I&feature=related

25. Christmas is a time of…
• Giving
• Being with family and Friends
• Celebrating the birth of Jesus
• Joy, Happiness, and Peace
“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't
come from a store. What if Christmas,
perhaps, means a little bit more”. - Dr.
Seuss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jQy_ppY2bI
“God Bless us, everyone”.
- A Christmas Carol

26. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUzIF4eYRkg