CHRISTMAS in America

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

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

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

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!

December 25 th is a religious holiday in the Catholic Church

Why December 25 th ? December 25 th is the BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION of Jesus Christ. There is CHURCH or a MASS every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Nativity Scene

Christmas symbols and traditions in America

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

We decorate our Christmas Trees with… GARLAND TINSLE ORNAMENTS LIGHTS

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

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

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

“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

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

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

What ABOUT SANTA?

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

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

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

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

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

Classic Christmas Stories watch?v=6YAOYs3ObzI m/watch?v=LtwVgOmP NPE&feature=related ch?v=pR_8kmOmxyk&featur e=related movie/how-the-grinch- stole-christmas space.com/vi deo/vid/

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!

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 “God Bless us, everyone”. - A Christmas Carol