Chistmas in the United States of America

Christmas in the USA are the most popular due to the endless Hollywood Christmas movies set in this country. Although Dutch brought with them Sintaklaas, who also brought presents for children (St. Nicholas) in the 17^th century it was soon forgotten among the British independentists until the nineteenth century when the writer Washington Irving wrote a novel about it. Later Americans depicted Santa Claus with a white beard, red suit, pipe, reindeer and sleigh, they were also the pioneers in the plush and ritzy decoration of streets; even the US president lits up a Christmas tree in Washington D.C. to welcome it officially and celebrations vary among the different background of nationalities and regions of the US. In Hawaii they greet Santa Claus who arrives by boat bringing the Christmas Sheep Tree and they shoot firearms and let off fireworks under the sunny skies and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors. In Alaska, children singing carols while carrying with lanterns on a pole a large figure of a star from door to door meaning the flee of Herod´s men and they are invited in homes for supper. In California, Santa Claus glides on a surf board.They decorate homes lavishly with holly, mistletoe, Christmas trees with electric lights, tinsels, baubles, candy canes and eat roast turkey, goose, duck with cranberry sauces, plum pudding, mince pies, pastry pies, fruity desserts during the Christmas dinner, exchange gifts and greetings with family visits. There is a custom similar to the Spanish “belenes” in New Mexico,the tradition of Las Posadas means people visit friends to contemplate the Nativity scenes or crèches.