Christmas and New years

Christmas  Christmas is celebrated on December 25  Christmas is a Christian holiday but many people who are not Christian also celebrate it.  Many families go to church at midnight (12 AM) on December 24 to celebrate the birth of Jesus

Traditions  After Thanksgiving, families will start to decorate their homes with lights, wreaths, mistletoe, Christmas stockings and other holiday decorations

Santa Claus  For children, Santa Claus is the main part of Christmas.  Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus and the Christmas elves.

Santa Claus  Every year, Santa delivers presents to good boys and girls on Christmas Eve (24.12)  On Christmas eve, families put out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer

Santa’s Workshop  At the top of the North Pole there is a toy workshop where all Santa’s elves make gifts for children.  Santa has a ‘naughty and nice’ list of children around the world. If you have been a good boy or girl you will get a toy but if you are on the naughty list you will get a lump of coal.

Santa’s Reindeer  On Christmas Eve Santa flies around the world in his big red sleigh filled with presents.  Santa has 12 magic reindeer that pull his sleigh through the sky  The most famous reindeer is Rudolf. His bright red nose helps Santa see when there is bad weather

Christmas Stockings  On Christmas eve, everyone hangs their Christmas stocking on the fireplace or on the wall.  On Christmas morning the stockings will be filled with gifts from Santa

Christmas Tree  Every family has a Christmas tree that is decorated with lights, bulbs, and tinsel  Santa also leaves gifts under the Christmas tree

Christmas Food  Christmas food includes gingerbread men, sometimes people even make gingerbread house!  Candy Canes, hot chocolate, and cookies are important parts of this holiday.

Christmas Dinner  On Christmas day many families have big meals with ham or turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and pies

Season of Giving  Christmas is also the season of giving. People give money to charity and toys to children in need.  Many families also volunteer at soup kitchens where they serve food to people without homes or families.

New Year  On New Year’s eve people have big parties for all their friends.  People make New Year’s resolutions  Fireworks and concerts are always part of the New Year celebrations!

New Year in Times Square  The most famous New Year’s celebration is in New York City’s Times Square.  Thousands of people gather to watch the famous ‘ball drop’ at midnight on the New Year