2. Christmas in America © Christina Bainbridge www.bainbridgeclass.com

3. 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!

4. 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!

5. 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. He gives presents to good children at Christmas.

7. 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. Some people celebrate Kwanzaa too. Kwanzaa is from December 26 until January 1and is a celebration of family, community, and heritage. Each day a candle is lit and each candle celebrates one important value.

9. 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!

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