In the US, Christmas is celebrated before the New Year on December 25th. It is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated American holidays. On this day, most citizens have a day off. All shops are closed. Some restaurants are open, but from 18-19 pm. Establishments that are open at Christmas make money for the year ahead, because everything is closed, and some people want to go somewhere to sit in the evening. In general, Christmas in the USA is a family holiday, but not everyone has a family or is far from relatives for a number of reasons.
Every state has different weather for Christmas. In an area where it is warm, it is not easy to create a New Year's mood for yourself. Preparing for Christmas begins immediately after Thanksgiving — at the end of November. New Year's paraphernalia appears in shops, Christmas melodies sound everywhere, the city is decorated everywhere: both inside buildings and outside. Americans begin to congratulate each other two weeks before Christmas. A week before the holiday, many tend to get to their parents' house.
On Christmas Eve, Americans prepare to gather at a large table with family and friends in the evening. On the table is usually: baked meat (often turkey), vegetables (carrots, green beans, peas), pizza, hot dogs, soup, pies, potatoes in various forms, bread, Christmas cookies, cocoa, eggnog. Americans do not like to make multi-component salads. The Christmas table is similar to the Thanksgiving table. After a long dinner, the family plays board games or just sits by the fireplace.
On the morning of December 25, the whole family gathers around the Christmas tree to open gifts. Usually, gifts are taken one at a time, handed over to the intended recipient, and the box is unpacked in front of everyone. Then they sit down at the table, finishing the leftovers of yesterday's dishes.
What do Americans give each other? It is customary for adults to give perfume or a set of cosmetics. A good perfume is expensive and looks presentable, so this gift is in demand. Also a popular gift is a gift card for a certain amount, so that a person buys for himself what he needs. Gift cards are sold in almost any store.
In the US, they are not afraid to make a mistake with a gift, because you can return something that did not fit or did not like. About 70-80% of gifts are returned after Christmas. From December 26, 50-70% discounts on everything start in stores: Christmas decorations, gift sets, and more.
New Year's Eve is celebrated on a smaller scale in the states. Americans associate the New Year with a baby: he is born, grows older every day for 365 days, until he turns into a feeble old man. Every year, the elder transfers his powers to a new baby.
Americans, like our compatriots, plan to start a new life from the first day: get rid of bad habits, eat right, start going to the gym, make peace with relatives, and so on. A few days before the New Year, you can meet Santa Claus on the streets of the city. Children take pictures with him. On New Year's Eve, Santa Claus puts gifts in a sock hanging on the fireplace.
Mostly young people celebrate, they go to dance in nightclubs, attend concerts, watch fireworks. Some celebrate on a boat overlooking the city at night.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, many people have gathered in New York City at Times Square in midtown Manhattan. A minute before New Year's Eve, a balloon descends from One Times Square. It touches the ground at midnight, symbolizing the coming of the New Year. The design of the balloon changes every year. The last seconds of the ball's fall are unanimously counted down by all those present on the square.
The tradition of celebrating the New Year in Times Square is popular among both Americans and tourists. Other states have tried to borrow the tradition, replacing the ball with a peach (in Georgia), an acorn (in North Carolina), a ping-pong ball (in Strasbourg).
