1. Christmas in America

2. Hi! I am Noel. My cat Holly and I are getting ready to hang our stocking by our fireplace. Would you like to help us? Then we can tell you more about how people celebrate Christmas in America!

3. In America, people have many different winter holiday celebrations
In America, people have many different winter holiday celebrations. First I’m going to tell you about how my family celebrates Christmas. Let’s go!

4. Many people in America celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. People attend church services, place Nativity scenes in their homes, and spend time with family and friends to celebrate the holiday. I just put up our Nativity on top of the fireplace.

5. My family celebrates Christmas on December 25
My family celebrates Christmas on December 25. Around the first of December, we decorate our Christmas tree together. Then we hang our stockings by the fireplace and wait until Christmas Eve when Santa comes to fill them! There’s my dad decorating the outside of our house too!

6. Santa Claus flies through the sky on a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer
Santa Claus flies through the sky on a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. He gives presents to good children at Christmas.

7. But there are other winter holiday celebrations in America too
But there are other winter holiday celebrations in America too! Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah. They light a menorah and receive gifts for eight nights during this festival of lights.

8. During Hanukkah, children play with a traditional toy called a ‘dreidel’. Players spin the dreidel like a top and give or take game pieces when the dreidel stops spinning. The game pieces can be coins, candy, or other fun goodies!
Families also eat traditional Jewish foods during Hanukkah like latkes. Latkes are like pancakes made with potatoes.

9. Some people celebrate Kwanzaa too
Some people celebrate Kwanzaa too. Kwanzaa is an African celebration that is from December 26 until January 1 and is a celebration of family, community, and heritage. Each day a candle is lit and each candle celebrates one important value.
The traditional colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green. Each color is an important symbol:  red symbolizes wanting freedom. Black is a symbol for the people and green is a symbol for the future.

10. Well, thanks for learning about some winter holiday celebrations with me! Holly and I have to go to bed now so Santa will come down our chimney! First we’ll put out some cookies and milk for him! That is a popular Christmas Eve tradition in America.

11. Merry Christmas!
I hope you learned something about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa in America! Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night!